Moto Morini Seiemmezzo STR - Comprehensive Road Test & Review

The Moto Morini Seiemezzo (or six and a half) STR is the more stripped-back 'street' version of the two budget-priced 650 twins in the Moto Morini lineup. It's a package with Italian flair and design paired with a parallel twin engine that puts out around 61hp. There are some excellent components too, Brembo brakes, Kayaba suspension and Pirelli tyres all feature. It's competitively priced, but in a crowded sector, it has a lot of competition from the big boys.
In this video, I take a good look over the Moto Morini, talk about its ride quality and engine performance and if it's a decent buy in the middleweight naked sector.
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00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Key Stats, Components & Price
03:20 - Road Test Start
04:30 - Engine Performance
07:16 - Gearbox
07:55 - Ergonomics
08:40 - Handling & Suspension
10:30 - Reliability & Dealer Support?
11:45 - Further thoughts
12:26 - Rivals
14:00 - Walkaround
15:05 - Engine Sound
15:49 - TFT problem? and engine vibes
16:24 - Conclusions

[@davidwilson6245]

HI Tony, good balanced review, loved the shot with the plane !!

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers, sheer luck with just a little bit of timing thrown in ;)

[@mrsilbo6499]

Now we know why Honda priced the Hornet so aggressively. This bike doesn't seem such a bargain now. Quality review as usual, Tony.

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers

[@themoog3889]

Purely looks wise I think it's the best looking of all the bikes you mention ! I bought an X-Cape last year with the same engine , wouldn't swap it back for the Versys it replaced ! As you said if you want something left field it's a good choice , last visit to my local bike cafe there were 6 hornets !

[@mancavemoto]

I'm hoping to try the X-Cape soon too

[@askaryanpulse5755]

Very well done review!! I just purchased the same bike but.... I paid......... $4750!!!! Brand New!! It was the last one at the shop and on sale!! For that price, there's no way I'm going to find a better bike. Really looking forward to the computes AND the weekends! :) Thanks again for the review!!

[@mancavemoto]

No problem, enjoy the bike!

[@hermitmonk52]

Thanks Tony! It’s something of a curiosity. Apropos of nothing, I was surprised when you mentioned lightweight wheels as up to that point, given how minimal it seems, I’d decided heavy steel wheels could be the only explanation for 200kg dry.

[@mancavemoto]

No worries, I don't the frame or engine for that matter are lightweight parts!

[@Spread4]

Has a kind of triumph trident look

[@killbasa2000]

My Italian buddy had Moto Morini (if I recall correctly Corsaro 1200) from new, around 2005-06, motorcycle developed some electrical issue, spent quite a bit trying to fix it, eventually gave up and sold it for peanuts with a very low mileage...he said he wanted something which is not generic...08:41 nice shot btw!

[@fabio5995]

Well Corsaro come from old property those new bikes come from new chinese fsctory with italian design. Truly seem a very nice bike and Morini is still a great brand for us italians. I remeber the 3 1/2 in the seventies👌👌

[@anxiousappliance]

I like the white version - very pretty machine. Wonder if Honda will do a neo-retro version of the Hornet. At 50% more HP the Honda is a different class, but the price is close.

[@fabio5995]

I remember once Carlos Checa said that for a bike tonise on open roads,80hp will be enough. If are enough for Carlos i think that 60/70 can be good for me😊 and i likemore the style of this one than the new Hornet. I had the old one and. Imho, this new have just same name🤷

[@anxiousappliance]

@@fabio5995 I like around 100hp.

[@gazzertrn]

Does look nice ,ita a pity it has not got a v twin like the old Morinis .

[@rayseaman6204]

Beautiful little bike, and a Great Review on it. But you are right. This bike has a LOT of competition, and very few dealerships. And in America, 99% of the people do not even know who Moto Morini is. I will be interested to see how, or IF, the Chinese can over come these obstacles. ( They did it with Volvo. So do NOT underestimate the Chinese ! )

[@mancavemoto]

Yep, the bikes are improving all the time and CFmoto are a brand that are trying to break the 'poor quality' tag the bikes often get labeled with.

[@mariog4707]

Good review, and a good bike by the sound of it but as others have said it’s a tough sell. The lack of dealer support, lack of brand loyalty and the more than credible alternatives leave it with little to temp people to part with their cash. I wish them well.

[@mancavemoto]

Yep me too, its a great effort, but its one of the most hotly contested sectors to try and gain market share in

[@stevesanelli90]

I have to agree Tony. A couple of quid more & you get an up to date Hornet with more than enough power than the CFMOTO 650 engine. This engine is getting long in the tooth now. It’s been around since Jesus was a carpenter 😉 Excellent review buddy 🤙

[@mancavemoto]

😂 do you reckon he rode one to work?

[@stevesanelli90]

@@mancavemoto 1st gen😉

[@bobz1736]

Great review as always 👏 With the Honda putting out 30hp more for little more money and better residuals and it being a known reliable bike, I'm sorry to say this bike will have no chance 😢

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, yep it’s got a tough job!

[@kevindarkstar]

I'm thinking that the benelli model around this size have exactly the same problem, at least three big names in competition with better spec and better price, I fail to understand how these things will sell 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Hemlck]

Great review as usual ….love your vids! This is a complete non starter Chinese nonsense again…unless there is bags of character or something why wouldn’t you get a Suzuki v twin for something different and fun or the brilliant Hornet from Honda. This needs to be £5k to stand a chance👍

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, yep its got a tough job on its hands!

[@motosnape]

I'm going to sound uncannily like my dad's generation during the 1960s, when the market was starting to flood with Japanese bikes. It's quite a pretty bike, but I'd go with a Japanese option, the Japanese offerings aren't exciting like they were in the 80s and 90s, but there's no concerns over QC, dealer backup, or any political/human rights concerns to muddy the decision.

[@teneretraveller8980]

On it's own, nice bike, but as you rightly say the competition is really stiff. You would have to want to be really different.. With PCP making more expensive options affordable, if that's how you chose to buy, I just can't see a reason to choose. Just me though. If I see lots about I'll know I'm wrong. Good one. Safe, happy travels 👍

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers Bud, yes on its own its a nice looking easy riding bike. But put it up against it competitors and its left lacking

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

I prefer the SCR. I don't think either of them will sell well.

[@ruahinesrider]

Trident 🔱 is another in this class & better than Hornet in this class.Hornet is in next class above being a 750 & 95hp.

[@twowheelsoneleg5672]

Seems a decent ride but you'd have to really want a Moto Morini to pick it over the Honda

[@morri03]

And it’s not really Moto Moroni is it. It’s an Italian styling job on a generic basic Chinese motorcycle

[@captainaverage721]

For an extra couple of hundred quid you can get a 90 bhp Honda. I know where ud be putting my cash

[@marcusgeorge1825]

The Honda has been priced so they knock everyone out of the park in its first year. 2024 it will go up in price. Just simple marketing that a large manufacturer can afford to do. The copy of the old, pre Ninga 650 is reasonable, bike looks good, just that 180 degree parallel twin doesn’t provide the best sound track at any revs.

[@mancavemoto]

No it does sound a bit 'weedy' not bad for what it is though

[@christopherlin929]

Its chinese brand now.

[@davidforsdike4343]

Chinese bike don't make any sense financially. They devalue incredibly fast. And are difficult to get parts for.