Essay – Moto Morini Seiemmezzo SCR – more than beautiful?

Italians are synonymous with elegance. And yes, we are talking about motorcycles. Always known for their exquisite design, Italian motorcycles have been evolving significantly, in order to no longer be the “ugly ducklings” when it comes to the mechanical part. Moto Morini is one of the brands that aims to change this prejudice. Moto Morini has its place in the history of motorcycling, being one of the oldest motorcycle manufacturers in Europe, with its journey starting in 1937 in Bologna, Italy. Founded by Alfonso Morini, the Italian brand has a very large legacy in all aspects, with different models, including competition motorcycles. Despite this, the path was tumultuous, passing through the hands of various groups, such as Cagiva and Ducati, until it was acquired again by the Morini family in 1954. However, in 2018, the Chinese group Zhongneng Vehicle acquired 100% of the Bologna brand, saving it from bankruptcy and preserving a part of motorcycle history. TESTED AND PROVEN 

If it is true that Moto Morini has a lot of history that includes the manufacture of various components, in Seiemmezzo SCR we find several “pieces of the puzzle” already known from other brands. The engine is a parallel twin of 649 cc that delivers 62 hp at 8,250 rpm, originally mounted on the Kawasaki ER-6N, which makes this block a heart with many years and accumulated experience. And that has its positives and negatives. And already facing what we liked least about this engine, we can say that the vibrations and rough gearbox clearly show signs of age. Considering that the first ER-6N was launched in 2008, naturally this block has undergone several changes and now complies with EURO5 regulations, but its base remains unchanged, which makes it behave more “rudimentary” and typical of two-cylinder engines with some years, especially in terms of the mentioned vibrations and low-speed knocking.

THE BEST COMFORT; INSTRUMENTATION; BRAKING

TO IMPROVE VIBRATIONS; GEARBOX HARDNESS; FRAME STIFFNESS

But it is possible to obtain a smooth behavior, where the rotation rises very naturally, if we know how to work well with the gearbox and keep the SCR at intermediate rotations. There, until the rotation cut, this block is energetic and seems to have potential for more. In addition, we feel solidity in this bicylinder, which conveys confidence with the absence of parasitic noises or small clearances – which could make us suspicious of the mechanics – even when we push it to the limit. In this department, whether due to cost savings in production or simple conservatism, Moto Morini played it safe. And if we would like a little more? Yes, but we are not disappointed.

THE BEST PARTNERS

And if playing it safe was what happened in the engine, when it comes to brakes and suspensions, Moto Morini comes with envy-inducing components. The braking system is handled by Brembo, with two 298mm discs at the front and a single 255mm disc at the rear. Both front and rear, the sensations transmitted are good, requiring some force on the front brake lever for it to “bite” as we want, but when it does, it is quite strong. Just a note for the ABS that seems to be activated quite easily. And since we are talking about ABS, in a motorcycle with some aspirations to ride off-road (few, but some) it would be expected that it would be possible to disable this electronic aid, at least on the rear wheel, something that is not possible.

However, the lack of traction control is actually beneficial for letting the rear wheel slide off-road, something we never missed on asphalt. The suspensions are also handled by a well-known name, Kayaba (KYB). At the front, we have a 43mm inverted fork with 120mm of travel, fully adjustable. And at the rear, a monoshock, also KYB and adjustable in preload and extension, with the same travel as the front. And it’s true that both at the front and rear we feel the road well and impacts are effectively absorbed – with the help of the 18″ front wheel – until we start pushing the Seiemmezzo a bit more. Then, there were attempts to fine-tune the suspension for a better compromise, but the truth is that at higher speeds, and especially on rougher surfaces, the SCR proved to be very restless, conveying little confidence. However, it was possible to understand that this had more to do with the frame and geometry, since at the suspension level – overcoming the most frightening part – we were able to maintain sensations and understand the limits of what we can or cannot do with this Scrambler. And it’s important to say that despite a weight of over 200 kg ready to ride, the Seiemmezzo SCR is very agile.

ITALIAN BODY

Despite being a Scrambler motorcycle and disguised as a motorcycle from the past, the Seiemmezzo SCR comes equipped with Full LED lighting and an extremely elegant design, from the integration of the rear optics to the minimalist but very visible turn signals. Various details such as the seat itself, references to Seiemezzo – or six and a half – and the Moto Morini coat of arms on the engine cover, give an extremely elegant look to this motorcycle. The 5″ TFT panel also reveals the modern nature of the motorcycle. With two different display modes, this screen allows you to connect the intercom and mobile phone via Bluetooth and has excellent visibility. Interestingly, the panel is identical to what we find on Voge motorcycles, like the 500 AC we tested a few editions ago. The information is well distributed, but we would like to have some of the information that is hidden in the additional menus on this main screen. This SCR has few buttons, but the way to navigate between information is simple and quick for those who are at the controls of this motorcycle for the first time. Although it is not equipped with technology and eccentricities, the Seiemmezzo SCR comes equipped with the minimum expected technology in a new motorcycle. The most important thing is that everything works, and works well.

ONLY THE BEGINNING?

The Moto Morini Seiemmezzo is unmistakably an Italian motorcycle, with its distinctive design and style. Despite the acquisition by a huge Chinese group, the brand tries to remain true to its origins and deliver what is expected from a historical motorcycle manufacturer. With two models in its range, the Seiemmezzo and the X-Cape (already tested by us), the Italian brand aims to reignite the flame of its golden days.

And if there are improvements to be made in the upcoming versions of the Seiemmezzo SCR, the truth is that the base of this motorcycle is already very good and anticipates very interesting evolutions. An engine with potential, top components, and a distinctive design make this Moto Morini a pleasant motorcycle to look at and ride. With a price starting from €7,490, the Seiemmezzo can be an interesting choice for those looking for a scrambler at a more affordable price than most. If you prefer a naked bike with a more neo-retro style, there is also the STR version, which we hope to have here for you soon.