Italian press is reporting today that two entrepreneurs from Milan, Sandro Capotosti (a former bank chairman) and Ruggeromassimo Jannuzzelli (not a typo), have successfully purchased the right to operate the assets of Moto Morini through a bankruptcy auction for the sum of 1,960,000 euros (equivalent to $2,775,000 U.S.). They have formed the entity Eagle Bike Company to operate Moto Morini. Like many Italian business ventures, this purchase was driven, in part, by emotion as Capotosti stated after successfully bidding at the auction that his love of the brand grew out of his experience riding Morini bikes as a young man, including the old Scrambler model. Indeed, the brand has a strong, emotional pull on countless Italian two-wheel enthusiasts, including the brother of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who unsuccessfully bid for the company last year.
Stunning bike, and great news that this marque continues. I’ve been a Moriniphile for almost 30 years and now have the new touring 1200, and what a motor. Mine is the defined 120 HP version, plenty of power. In classic Italian red and black, it looks great too! Roll on Morini!
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Maybe I’m anal. But when I see exotic Italian naked bikes, gorgeous as they are, I can only think “dirt magnet.” God forbid you should ever ride one in the rain, with a bunch of urban road grit getting into all the crevices. Never be clean again.
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my first bike was a morini and would love to see them back in the states.
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This version was pretty darn cool too…
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20C/Moto%20Morini%20GranPasso%20H83%20kit%202.jpg
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If they can sell just 1000 of these at $2775.00 profit, they’ve made their money back.
Looks like an Italian Suzuki SV650 with neato headlights and under-seat pipe…at double the price for sure. An upgraded SV for Europeans. Nakeds are big there. Nothing new here.
Why don’t Aprilia and Benelli and Bimota and Ducati and Moto Guzzi and Moto Morini and MV Augusta collaborate across franchises so there would at least be a skeleton dealer network in America? A big reason to pass on these lovely bikes is no dealer for hours (and miles).
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That’s so “out of the box” that it might just work…lol.
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“Morini” sounds not sexy. No, thanks.
Thanks. My wife’s name is Morine.
I’ve been hoping for those to come to the US for years.
I like that model in Black. Would consider getting one,
if they were priced equal or lower than Ducati and there
was a dealership network that was better than the lousy
service Aprilia provides to the Sacramento dealership,
which was forced to drop Aprilia due to problems getting
parts etc etc…..
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Looks like someone in the design dept. got an extra allotment of creases to use when they were designing the gas tank. But other than that it looks like a very nice design.
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The only problem with this bike they need to bring it to the USA. Then I will buy one.
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And that one will comprise about 50% of their total US sales if they do.
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Must probably true…SADLY…(-_- )’
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This is what the great selling Suzuki SV650 should have grown into
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I concur… very nice looking bike… plus, I love V-twin torque monsters…
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Nice looking bike but unless you’re Ducati or Triumph an aggressive standard bike does not a motorcycle business make. They need to make some cool low displacement scooters and start printing money to support the fun stuff like in that picutre.
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Some true to it…most of the fat OEMs are making a living that way (selling under 125cc by the shipload on South East Asia, India, Brazil, etc)…while keeping all the big gun projects on the back burner waiting for the economy to rebound sometime soon (yeeeah, fat chance, fingers crossed).
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I love the understated graphics and muted colors which force you to actually look at the bike itself, which is beautiful. If you are going to complain about it being simular to other certain v-twins, then you should go talk to a Harleyphile, who will tell you that all v-twins are just bastard copies of the almighty HD. Right?
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Suzuki should be looking at this as to what the great sv650 could have/should have grown into instead of the non selling Gladius.
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totally agree….. Suzuki!!! What up!!?? you got the motor, go build it!!
The prob with the Moto Morini’s is you’ll have a dealership in your state…if you’re damn lucky. Well that sucks. But they are good looking. I’ve been watching these since they were concept drawings and have emailed the factory (before they went tits up) to try to learn “when” and “where” to buy. They emailed back (probably back in 2006 or 07) and said “soon”…..oh well.
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Wich Motor ? That Peach on the SV Range ?
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Great news to hear Morini has been purchased. I only whished i had the money to buy it myself. If you have not riden a Morini do your self a favour, because if they start producing bikes again you will be wanting one.
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Damn that’s sexy!
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I love Italian twins, and their motorcycles are nice too….
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I don’t get it…..people fawning all over an admittedly nice looking bike. However, squint even slightly and think ‘Monster’ and it works. Squint a little differently and you get ‘Brutale’.
NICE looking design. But hardly unique.
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Oh my goooosh… this is MOTO, no doubt – punchy and beautiful Corsaro. All the best to them, long live MOTO Morini!
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HURRAAAAY ! Another Motorcycle V-TWIN Icon saved from the Cleaver and Chopping Block.
Now get your S&^% together, blow that 1187cc Mill to a FULL 1200cc and start selling HERE on the U.S.A like u never did (for inspiration and ideas talk to Triumph’s Director…he seems to know what to do in this situation ).
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I love the Montale look, love twins, most things Italian. I couldn’t buy one for lack of dealers. US is a tough nut to crack. A few more models and pull a Triumph is a good suggestion, even though I love most Italian, I’m not very fond of anything British except Triumph.
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Like Dave and u sugested, i think a wider model range (smaller cc, more affordable) would do them a lot of good to make a good foundation on where to start building up the brand.
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Jeez, what a beautiful twin. The Italians can make a toaster look sexy. I love just looking at my Goose V11 and my Hypermotard. All things Italian, YES!
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I love all things Italian. The more the better:)
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