moto morini
- Thread starter pelican
- Start date
I've read about them but never seen one in the flesh.
They do sound and look very nice.
I think they used a Honda VTR 1000 motor in the early days?
But they use their own motors now.
Alan Cathcart has done a few reports on them.
They seem to in and out of liquidation a lot of the time????
They do sound and look very nice.
I think they used a Honda VTR 1000 motor in the early days?
But they use their own motors now.
Alan Cathcart has done a few reports on them.
They seem to in and out of liquidation a lot of the time????
Moto Morini was a very well respected Italian manufacturer and had racing successes from the 1920s onwards. In the 50s and 60s they were heavily involved in racing and had signed such up and coming stars as the great Giacomo Agostini for the domestic championships. They also made some extremely good smaller capacity road-going machines which are now well sought after. there was a real effort to export their machines in the 70s and 80s with their series of middle sized (350 and later 500) V-twin bikes. I am not familiar with their latest offerings, but they certainly do have a bona fide history and credentials.
GRM 450 said:
I believe you're thinking of the Mondial. Only firm Honda's ever sold motors to. Seems Mr Honda asked to look at one of the GP bikes in the 50's and they sent him one to the factory in Japan. That was Honda's way of paying the debt...
They are a work of art.
One of my "ride-to-work"/test bikes in 1967/68 was a 50cc pseudo road racer. It was Italian and the tank badge said "Motom". Maybe it was a Moto Morini? It was sure a weird piece of work. The engine was a 2-stroke single with a raucous tuned expansion chamber exhaust system. The gearshift was a twist-grip style, like a Vespa scooter, with only a 3-speed gearbox. Clip-on style handlebars and a long skinny fuel tank gave it a "here's my head, my ass is coming" riding style.
It was being tested to see if it was worthwhile N-V importing it for sale in the UK. It wasn't very reliable, and although the performance was quit spirited for a 50cc machine, it got worse fuel mileage than my regular 650SS over the same daily commute. N-V decided no to pursue it. I don't know if the bike was sold off, scrapped or sent back to Italy.
It was being tested to see if it was worthwhile N-V importing it for sale in the UK. It wasn't very reliable, and although the performance was quit spirited for a 50cc machine, it got worse fuel mileage than my regular 650SS over the same daily commute. N-V decided no to pursue it. I don't know if the bike was sold off, scrapped or sent back to Italy.
