A Promising Debut - Then Came the Road Tests

At EICMA 2021, the Moto Morini stand was one of the busiest at the show. That was due in large part to the X-Cape 650. It looked like a full-size adventure motorcycle, came with Brembo brakes, a Marzocchi fork, and a 7-inch TFT display, yet cost less than a Yamaha Tenere 700. Moto Morini has belonged to China's Zhongneng Vehicle Group since 2018; according to the source, production continues near Milan.

Then the riding impressions arrived. The source cites 1000PS tester Gregor as judging the X-Cape promising on paper but compromised in reality, above all by a weak-feeling, strongly vibrating engine and high weight. His conclusion was that with further development those shortcomings could be addressed, but in its present form the bike is better suited to committed Moto Morini fans and riders attracted to more unusual machinery. The review was not a demolition job, but a useful assessment for potential buyers.

The Hardware: What the X-Cape Brings to the Table

The liquid-cooled 649 cc DOHC parallel twin produces 61 hp at 8,250 rpm and 56 Nm at 7,000 rpm. Bosch fuel injection, a six-speed gearbox, and chain final drive are standard.

The chassis specification is impressive for the price. A 50 mm Marzocchi USD fork provides 160 mm of travel and is adjustable. The rear monoshock offers adjustable spring preload. Brembo twin-piston front calipers work on twin 298 mm discs, with a 255 mm rear disc. ABS can be switched off at both wheels. The wire-spoke version runs Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires in 110/80 R19 front and 150/70 R17 rear sizes. There is a 19-inch front wheel, an 18-liter tank, a 7-inch color TFT with Bluetooth and four display layouts, TPMS, and a windshield that can be adjusted one-handed. It is an impressive components list.

The Engine: The Central Issue

The Kawasaki-650-based parallel twin is the point raised repeatedly in road tests of the X-Cape application: it delivers less low- and midrange torque than the size and mission of the motorcycle suggest, while vibration becomes noticeable over longer distances. Its 56 Nm peak arrives at 7,000 rpm, meaning the engine needs revs before it delivers its best. For an adventure motorcycle carrying adventure-bike weight and intended for touring, earlier torque delivery is more useful. The source compares it with the Yamaha T7 at 68 Nm at 6,500 rpm and the CFMoto 800MT at 75 Nm at 8,000 rpm.

Before buying, a longer test ride is essential. Whether the vibration is acceptable is something each rider needs to answer from the saddle, not from a specification sheet or review.

845 mm Seat Height, Optional 820 mm: Typical Adventure Bike Accessibility

Standard seat height is 845 mm, with an optional 820 mm low seat. That is typical adventure-bike territory. The steel trellis frame and upright riding position provide ergonomics suited to both pavement and light off-road riding. The windshield can be manually adjusted in height with one hand, making it useful on touring rides even while underway.

Touring Version and Dealer Network

Since 2023, Moto Morini has offered a Touring version with an aluminum luggage set and engine protection as standard. It is aimed at riders who want a travel-ready package directly from the factory. The German dealer network is smaller than those of Yamaha, Honda, or BMW. Before buying, prospective owners should check the location of the nearest Moto Morini dealer and confirm service capacity.

Price and Positioning

The source lists the launch pricing from 2022 at EUR 7,599 with cast wheels or EUR 7,899 with wire-spoke wheels, plus EUR 179 in ancillary charges, while the current 2026 reference price is EUR 7,499 plus ancillary charges. The X-Cape undercuts the Yamaha Tenere 700 and Honda XL750 Transalp while including Brembo, Marzocchi, and Pirelli hardware as standard. The trade-off is the engine-character issue and the risk associated with a smaller dealer network.

Verdict

The Moto Morini X-Cape 650 is for riders who value Italian heritage, see Brembo and Marzocchi as meaningful equipment advantages, and are willing to accept less refinement from the engine. The source's 1000PS assessment leaves room for improvement through further model development. Until then, there are three sensible steps before purchase: take a proper test ride, check the local dealer situation, and compare the X-Cape directly with a Yamaha Tenere 700, Honda Transalp 750, or CFMoto 800MT.

Quick Check

+ 50 mm Marzocchi USD fork with 160 mm of travel: a quality Italian component.

+ Brembo twin-piston front calipers on 298 mm discs: Italian braking hardware standard.

+ Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR on 19/17-inch wheels in the wire-spoke version.

+ ABS switchable at both wheels: off-road riding possible without ABS intervention.

+ 7-inch TFT with Bluetooth and four display modes: one of the largest displays in this class.

+ 18-liter tank: one of the larger tanks in this test series.

+ 845 mm standard / 820 mm optional seat height: accessibility for different rider sizes.

+ One-hand adjustable windshield.

+ Touring version availab

le from the factory with aluminum luggage set.

+ A2 version available.

 

– Engine described by 1000PS as weak-feeling and strongly vibrating, especially noticeable on longer stages.

– High weight is another 1000PS criticism; the quoted 236 kg reportedly feels like even more.

– Small German dealer network: check service capacity before purchase.

– Moto Morini has been under Chinese ownership since 2018; buyers should assess long-term parts support.

 

Technical Specifications: Moto Morini X-Cape 650 (2026)

Brand / Model: Moto Morini X-Cape 650 (2026); 649 cc parallel twin; adventure/touring enduro; full A-license and A2-restricted versions available; Moto Morini, Milan, Italy; Zhongneng Vehicle Group ownership since 2018

Engine: Liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin; 649 cc; 61 hp at 8,250 rpm; 56 Nm at 7,000 rpm; Bosch EFI; six-speed; chain drive; Euro 5

Front Suspension: 50 mm Marzocchi USD fork; 160 mm travel; adjustable

Rear Suspension: Monoshock; adjustable spring preload; steel trellis frame

Brakes: Twin 298 mm Brembo front discs with twin-piston calipers; 255 mm rear disc; ABS switchable at both wheels

Wheels / Tires: Choice of wire-spoke or cast wheels. Wire-spoke version with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR, 110/80 R19 front / 150/70 R17 rear; 19/17-inch wheels

Seat Height / Tank: 845 mm standard; optional 820 mm; 18 liters; 4.2 L/100 km; range above 300 km; top speed 175 km/h

Electronics: 7-inch color TFT with four display modes; Bluetooth; TPMS; ABS switchable at both wheels; one-hand adjustable windshield

Versions: Standard with cast or wire-spoke wheels. Touring from 2023 with standard aluminum luggage set + engine protection. A2 35 kW restriction available.

Stationary Noise: Not published; Tyrol threshold is 95 dB(A)

Warranty: 3 years

Competition: Yamaha Tenere 700: from EUR 11,624, 73 hp, 200 kg, more proven platform. CFMoto 800MT Explore: EUR 10,499, 91 hp, more electronics. Honda XL750 Transalp: approx. EUR 11,500, 92 hp. X-Cape 650: Brembo/Marzocchi/Pirelli standard, with an engine-character compromise.

Price in Germany: Current 2026 reference: EUR 7,499 plus ancillary charges. Source also lists original pricing of EUR 7,599 cast wheels / EUR 7,899 wire-spoke wheels + EUR 179 ancillary charges.