Moto Morini, the Comeback! Seiemmezzo SCR and STR First Ride Reviews

    After a long resting period, Moto Morini is back! Originally Italian, from Milan, MM is now part of the Zhongneng vehicle group since 2018. In 2022 three new models have been released. All designed in Italy, and sporting some of the best and renowned Italian components. All based on the same 650cc twin engine. First in line is the X-Cape, which we have taken for a week and will be reviewed in a separate post. During the launch I had the opportunity to ride number 2 and 3 in the line-up, both versions of the Seiemmezzo. That is Italian for ‘six-and-a-half’.

First Look

The Seiemmezzo Scrambler (SCR), available in Night Black and Navy Green, and the Seiemmezzo Street (STR), available in Fire Red, Smokey Anthracite, and Starlight White. An excellent selection of colour schemes that, combined with the attention for detail and the carefully designed visual lines, result in elegant and beautiful machines. Especially the Navy Green SCR with gold anodised forks, a brown seat, and silver accents is a treat to our eye. Let’s dive into it!

Common Base

Both models are based on the same steel trellis frame with aluminium swingarm and 650 twin engine. The engine puts out 47.5BHP @8250rpm and 54Nm of torque at 7000rpm, allowing for a top speed of 175km/h. The engine feels torquey and responsive throughout the range, if you keep up the revs . They both sport the same fully adjustable suspension setup provided by Kayaba, 120mm travel front and rear. Both sit at 810mm and round about 200kg (dry weight).

Both are safely slowed by the same 298mm Brembo dual disc front brakes with Bosch ABS.

 Behind the full LED headlight sits a very clean and clear 5” TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity. It allows the rider to choose between two types of digital guages. One assigned to the STR, the other to the SCR. To access the setup, use the intuitive, backlit handlebar controls.

Differences

Where do they differ? Let’s take a look first.

The STR is more road focused with a narrow handlebar and 18” and 17” aluminium wheels with Pirelli Angel GT tyres. It has an elegant line with a slim tail section, appealing to a sporty and spirited audience.

The SCR has wider handlebars, like those on the 70’s British scramblers, 18” and 17” spoked tubeless rims with Pirelli MT60RS tyres, and a brown, ribbed, heritage seat. But what does this mean in terms of riding experience?

Riding Experience

While the SCR feels planted, yet plush, ready to tackle any kind of road surface, the STR feels a little harder, yet confident, and definitely more at home at very smooth surface.

This is solely due to the tyres. Both models have the exact same suspension setup with identical settings between the models we tested.

The wider handle bar on the SCR allows for a leisure, upright riding position and smooth corrections.

In contrast, the narrower STR handlebars invite a sporty body position and commitment to the curves.

At 185cm tall, the SCR seat, pegs, and tank dimples align perfectly. Though the STR required a few minutes of finding the most comfortable riding position, especially aligning thighs with the tank geometry. In short, both are an absolute joy to ride and a lot of bike for the money! The SCR will be available in the EU next month and will cost, depending on local taxes, between €7350 and €8590. The STR comes in at €400 less.

And there is a hint for an even more exciting future! 2024 is supposed to be the year for a new 1200cc EURO5 compatible engine that will be used in 3 models: SuperAdventure, Milano, and Super Scrambler! Until then, we would happily explore the EU curves on these great bikes!

(Photos by Florian Meuret, Rodolphe Herpet, and Casper van der Ven)