Test Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 ZT

Menus

• A big old-fashioned roadster
• V-Twin CorsaCorta а 87 °, 1.187 cm3, 139 hp, 125 Nm, 191 kg, 15,900 euros
• Discovery
• Engine and transmission
• In the saddle
• In the city
• Motorways and expressways
• Departmental
• Cycle part
• Braking
• Conclusion

A big old-fashioned roadster

V-Twin CorsaCorta а 87 °, 1.187 cm3, 139 hp, 125 Nm, 191 kg, 15,900 euros

The small, but historic, Italian brand Moto Morini has continued its path since its takeover in 2012 by two Italian enthusiasts and since October 2018 by the Zhongneng group. During 2017, the 13 employees of the 3,000 mІ plant located in Trivolzio in the south of Milan built and assembled 140 machines by hand.. It is at the same time a lot and not a lot for this almost artisanal production. All the motorcycles produced are powered by the unique 87 ° CorsaCorta V-Twin engine of 1.187 cc designed by Franco Lambertini. These mainly include the latest ZZ and ZT versions of the Corsaro roadster, the flagship model of the brand launched in 2006 and which gave birth to the Grandpasso and Scrambler..

With the arrival of the Euro4 standard, the company had to make several investments to comply and then took the opportunity to call on the designer Rodolfo Frascoli (to whom we owe in particular the Moto Guzzi Griso, Norge and Stelvio) to refresh the look of the Corsaro. The first model launched on the market was the top-of-the-range version Corsaro 1200 ZZ, presented at EICMA 2016, inaugurating its new dual-optic front panel. Then offered at 19,990 euros, the bike was followed a year later by a more affordable ZT (15,900 euros) and whose production started in May 2018. Offering the same mechanical basis, the latter also stands out for many changes of aesthetic order and a more consensual overall package.

Discovery

The 1200 ZT is thus intended to be an easier version of the ZZ. The difference does not come only from the revised power system of the CorsaCorta engine, but also from the subtle modifications made to the riding position and the general architecture of the bike, while maintaining the same muscular stature as the ZZ for the simple and for good reason that they have the same Euro4 mechanical base, only the map of the ECU having been modified.

The most notable cosmetic change to the Corsaro ZT is its smaller 14-liter tank now made of plastic instead of the expensive 19-liter aluminum element of the ZZ. The smaller tank could have helped to highlight the beautiful CorsaCorta engine, but it is covered in a black which camouflages it outright, especially since the Velicchi frame is also painted black. That said, a red frame or an unpainted engine would make it stand out disproportionately..

The round headlight of the ZT, which replaces the more stylized double lenses of the ZZ, offers a classic look that matches the easier character claimed by everyday motorcycling. This one is capped with a mini windshield with a much simpler design than before and overcomes a smaller front fender, thus clearing the entire front part of the motorcycle..

Although not found everywhere like the ZZ, the ZT also has a few carbon fiber parts, like its very distinctive license plate holder. In the end, the bike is six kilograms lighter than before with a weight of 190 kg, the tank half full..

Engine and transmission

Massimo Gustato, who arrived at the head of the R&D department in October 2015, has played a key role in the Moto Morini technical team. Formerly from Bimota who worked on the BB3, then from Aprilia Racing where he notably participated in the coronation of the RSV4 in Superbike and the 125/250 in GP, ​​he brought a lot to Morini. He thus achieved the feat of advancing engine performance between Euro3 and Euro4, gaining 7 horsepower to reach 137 hp at 8,500 rpm and 3 Nm with a torque now capable of reaching 125 Nm at 6,250 rpm min.

This is therefore the exact opposite of what other manufacturers have experienced who have had to sacrifice pure engine power in favor of increased torque or who have had to increase the displacement to compensate for the losses linked to Euro4. Compared to the Euro3 version, this 1200cc twin presents a clear improvement in driving conditions and not only on paper.

But while the ZT’s engine shares these same values ​​with the ZZ, the Athena ECU has been completely remapped to deliver a wider range of power and torque compared to the Magneti Marelli electronics previously used..

In fact, the CorsaCorta’s 54mm throttle body offers clean and perfectly manageable control. Thanks to the update of the cartography, the acceleration is less brutal, but still just as muscular, resulting in a clear improvement overall.

In the saddle

If the old and the new tank weigh the same, they are quite different in shape. That of the ZT being more compact, thinner and lower, it allows, associated with the same saddle culminating at 860 mm, to put the feet more easily on the ground..

Added to this is a redesigned Accossato one-piece handlebars with higher and wider grips than on the ZZ to provide a more relaxed riding position that directly affects the way you ride, even though the frame geometry does not. is not modified.

In the city

The objective of engine development was thus to offer more user comfort while maintaining the same level of performance. And it’s hard to argue with that point. We quickly realize that the CorsaCorta engine of the ZT manages to pick up in sixth at 2,000 rpm or out of a curve in second gear when we crisscross the roads between the rice fields south of Trivolzio, taking advantage pickups at mid-speed which send strong and linearly over the entire range of action up to the switch placed at 9.300 rpm, all without the slightest jerk of transmission.

This is not just an unexpected quality on such a short engine size, which one would normally expect to have to climb into the towers to achieve such performance. So, although it has a serious appetite for high speeds (its designer ensures that it runs safely up to 13,000 rpm), it can also be satisfied with low speeds to drive in traffic..

At the slightest space available, a flick of the wrist and this distinctive sounding engine will respond. However, it does it smoother and less abruptly than the ZZ on which front wheel lift was not uncommon in third. But not on the ZT. The rear Pirelli just hooks and moves the bike forward, the handlebars swaying slightly in the hands as the front wheel barely comes down and floats lightly above the ground. Addictive !

Motorways and expressways

No real surprise here, in terms of engine and chassis: the Corsaro has plenty of cruising gear and offers very good stability at high speed. But like any good self-respecting roadster, protection is almost non-existent. It is good, it is on the small departmental that we will now be able to see what the privateer has in the belly…

Departmental

The greater availability of smooth and powerful engine torque means that the gearbox is no longer used as often as on the ZZ, which was not already the case. The CorsaCorta engine is now more efficient in the area of ​​3500 to 7500 rpm. We therefore take advantage of the torque curve to switch to 3rd or 4th gear on winding sections interspersed with short straight lines. There is an average spacing of 1200 rpm between each of the three upper gears and in fact with this type of engine there is no need to have too short gears on the 6 speed gearbox. However, I didn’t feel that the gearshifts on my test ZT were as smooth as before, it was even quite complicated to shift cleanly, with or without the clutch..

We regret that on this model there is no servomotor as standard on the ZZ (only optional) and that it is impossible to have a shifter for downshifting, even as an option since the ZT does not does not benefit from a ride-by-wire accelerator. It also implies the lack of choice between different riding modes on a motorcycle which, like the ZZ, in many ways resembles an "old-fashioned" machine, sending us back to the days of all analog when big roadsters other manufacturers were not as well equipped with electronics, so that today we risk ending up wondering if it is not the computer that drives the bike.

No worries at this level for the latest Moto Morini which provides a delicious feeling of connection between what the right hand does and how the bike reacts. There is no digital filter to mitigate its desires, but a simple cable between the analog link between the accelerator and the rear tire which is old school, but deliciously straightforward. The ZT also receives welcome traction control, operated by ignition delay, which is in addition to the Bosch ABS already present on the ZZ due to Euro4..

Cycle part

The well-balanced chassis with 52/48% weight distribution provides a lot of confidence, especially with the suspension specially developed for Morini by Mupo, with extended travel to 135mm on the front wheel and a fork that is less stiff than the Marzocchi. on last year’s transalpine v-twins. This allows you to get more out of the Corsaro on uneven surfaces. You can then take advantage of the powerful torque on winding roads by taking advantage of the excellent leverage of the wide handlebars to take the Corsaro from one angle to another, relaunching effortlessly and with a smoothness as exciting as it is fun. Despite a rather conservative steering geometry (24.5 ° with 103 mm of trail), the ZT is rather light and responsive..

Braking

The Brembo radial braking system is as usual without equal, allowing to slow down the ardor of the Corsaro ZT with efficiency in association with the important engine braking available on the anti-dribble clutch..

Conclusion

After a day spent on board, it’s hard not to be impressed by this new model. The main reason is the way Moto Morini has wonderfully retuned this CorsaCorta engine coupler to be as flexible and forgiving as it is fast and enjoyable..

Moto Morini has rediscovered its spirits by creating motorcycles full of character, rewarding and entertaining. Hopefully, this appealing character doesn’t remain as well-kept a secret this time around..

With its excellent handling, good steering, decent performance and upright driving position, the Moto Morini Corsaro ZT places itself at the limits of possible performance without going through electronics, where it is entirely up to you to exploit the reserves of performance of this engine using your wrist wisely, aided by the new mapping and by the Traction Control now installed as standard.

The Corsaro ZT is an extremely pleasant bike to ride hard because of its acceleration and responsiveness, over a wide rev range, but always in a controllable way, even with minimal electronic intervention. It goes so far in the opposite direction of road safety policies that one would almost wonder if someone had authorized its commercialization..

Strong points

• An "Old School" motorcycle…
• Character engine
• Braking
• Agility and maneuverability

Weak points

• … therefore without electronics (it’s up to you to see if you classify it positively or negatively)
• Rough shifting

The technical sheet of the Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 ZT

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