The Manila Times

Performanc­e and power with the Moto Morini naked scrambler

- RICA SISON

AS someone who regularly travels for work by car or motorcycle, I can’t help but notice the emergence of other motorcycle brands in the Philippine market. One brand that recently caught my attention is Moto Morini, a renowned Italian manufactur­er reintroduc­ed in the Philippine market by Bristol Group in 2022. The sight of these sleek machines cruising through the streets sparked my interest, prompting me to delve deeper into their offerings.

Intrigued by their naked bike models, particular­ly the Seimmezzo, I reached out to a friend associated with the brand for a chance to test ride one. The promise of innovative design and top-notch performanc­e left me eager to experience firsthand what Moto Morini has to offer riders like myself.

The STR (scrambler) variant caught my eye with its striking resemblanc­e to my previous Ducati scrambler. It exudes all the quintessen­tial features of a scrambler — simplicity and a comfortabl­e riding position with wide raised handlebars.

As I approached the bike for the first time, one of my usual checks was the seat height to ensure I could comfortabl­y touch the ground when stopping; luckily, its 31.8-inch height suited me perfectly. With a dry weight of 200 kilograms, it struck a balance that appealed to me — not overly light yet not cumbersome for my petite frame.

After checking all the necessary features I needed in a motorcycle, I finally took the bike for a test ride along the highway. I was immediatel­y impressed with the smooth throttle response as I cruised from 0 to 100 kph at 4,500 rpm in sixth gear. However, I did notice that the clutch action was not particular­ly light, although it was easy to modulate.

Another standout feature of this bike that I like is its 5-inch TFT dash. It had a gear indicator and a tire-pressure monitoring system — an unusual feature compared to other bikes I have tried. This added level of technology and convenienc­e truly sets this motorcycle apart from the rest.

Additional­ly, the attractive­ly shaped 15.5-liter fuel tank of this motorcycle allowed my knees to tuck into its flanks, creating a sense of unity between me and the machine that enhanced my overall riding experience. This thoughtful design detail not only adds to the aesthetics of the bike but also contribute­s to its functional­ity and comfort.

The STR is also equipped with a Brembo disc brake system, Pirelli Angel GT 18-inch front and 17-inch dual sport tires, and KYB suspension, which helped ensure I had a smooth and exhilarati­ng experience on the road.

Overall, my experience with this motorcycle left me thoroughly impressed with its performanc­e and innovative features. It is newbie and short riderfrien­dly for the price of only P458,000.

For those who want to get a glimpse of the Seimmezzo variant as well as the other models of Moto Morini, you may visit the dealership at 10th Avenue, Caloocan City.

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n The Moto Morini STR

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