Moto Morini

With Phil Aynsley

An all too brief revival of the famous Moto Morini name commenced in 1999 when Alfonso Morini’s nephew, Franco, bought the name back from Ducati (who had acquired it in the TPG buyout in 1996). The new joint-stock company Morini Franco Motori S.p.A. came into being in 2003.

The following year saw the announcement of a completely new motorcycle – the 1200 Corsaro. It was powered by a 87° DOHC V-twin that was designed by Franco Lambertini – who had been responsible for Morini’s V-twins, such as the 3½, back in the ’70s.

Corsaro Veloce, Sport & Scrambler variants followed before the enterprise went bankrupt in 2009. About 40 bikes were assembled from spare parts in early 2011 before the name was sold to Eagle Bike (a company run by two Italian entrepreneurs).

Limited production continued, from 2014 at a new location in Trivizio. The management changed again in 2015 with one of the owners leaving, the dropping of internet only sales and the establishment of a dealer network. New models were introduced including a revised Granpasso, Scrambler and Corsaro ZZ.

Moto Morini are about to be re-born yet again with a display at EICMA next month where the company will present a new platform of mid-engine size motorbikes. A new platform which will be available in different models starting from the Naked and Adventure segment, a first teaser image of that new bike is below. 

The new Morini range will be powered by the CorsaCorta 1200 cc engine, composed by the sporty Corsaro ZZ, the Corsaro ZT and the Milano, the company will also present a new element with what they claim will be a definitive version of the Super Scrambler.

In this feature though we focus on this June 2008 build Corsaro Avio that has only done 250km, and apart from being fitted with factory accessory Termignoni mufflers and having the pillion pegs removed, is in completely standard condition. Power output is claimed as 120hp at 8500rpm pushing a dry weight of 198kg.