Part of Throttle Times’ live coverage of EICMA 2026.

Heritage Dakar Nameplate Reborn as Sub-300cc Trail Weapon

Moto Morini has reached back into its golden-era 1980s catalogue at EICMA 2026, officially resurrecting the Coguaro moniker as an accessible, lightweight dual-sport adventure machine. Unlike the heavyweight multi-cylinder ADV mastodons that dominate modern exhibition halls, the new Coguaro strips away touring bulk in favor of true off-road trail geometry: a 292.4cc liquid-cooled DOHC single-cylinder Euro 5+ engine producing 34 CV (25 kW / 33.5 hp) at 9,000 rpm and 27 Nm of peak torque at 8,500 rpm, slotted into a tubular steel cradle chassis with a claimed top speed of 145 km/h.

The bike’s running gear proves Moto Morini is not treating the entry segment as a cost-cut commuter compromise. The Coguaro rides on a genuine off-road 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoked wheel combination wrapped in dual-sport knobby rubber, backed by 43 mm inverted front forks delivering 230 mm of stroke and an aluminum swingarm linked to a progressive rear monoshock. Ground clearance clears 245 mm, protected from granite impacts by a standard stamped-aluminum sump guard.

The reveal directly flanks Moto Morini’s larger twin-cylinder revival, where Moto Morini Revives the Camel Dakar Moniker at EICMA with a 670cc parallel twin. Together with the newly unveiled Beta Reveals RE 330 at EICMA, the Coguaro signals a long-overdue European counter-offensive against the Japanese dual-sport establishment, offering an entry point aimed square at The Best A2-Licence-Legal Adventure Bikes You Can Actually Buy in 2026. European deliveries will commence in April 2027, with targeted pricing hovering around €4,890.

Technical Specifications: Moto Morini Coguaro vs Class Competitors

The lightweight dual-sport category lives and dies by wet mass, wheel sizes, and suspension control over rocky goat tracks. Here is how the Coguaro’s factory numbers compare to the Beta RE 330 and the benchmark Honda CRF300L:

Metric Moto Morini Coguaro (2027) Beta RE 330 (2027) Honda CRF300L (Euro 5+)
Engine Architecture 292.4cc DOHC 4V liquid single 330cc DOHC 4V liquid single 286cc DOHC 4V liquid single
Peak Power 33.5 hp (25.0 kW) @ 9,000 rpm 36.0 hp (26.5 kW) @ 8,750 rpm 27.3 hp (20.1 kW) @ 8,500 rpm
Peak Torque 27.0 Nm @ 8,500 rpm 31.0 Nm @ 7,000 rpm 26.6 Nm @ 6,500 rpm
Wheel Sizes (F / R) 21-inch / 18-inch wire-spoke 21-inch / 18-inch wire-spoke 21-inch / 18-inch wire-spoke
Front Suspension Travel 230 mm (43 mm USD fork) 240 mm (43 mm USD fork) 260 mm (43 mm USD fork)
Ground Clearance 245 mm 265 mm 285 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 14.0 liters 12.5 liters 7.8 liters
Kerb Weight (Wet) ~152 kg (est.) ~146 kg (est.) 142 kg
Estimated European MSRP €4,890 €5,690 €5,990

The Rider’s Trade-Off: High-RPM Punch vs Tractor Chug

Opting for the Coguaro over traditional Japanese trail machinery involves a clear mechanical trade-off in power delivery and gearing. With peak power arriving at 9,000 rpm and peak torque at 8,500 rpm, this 292cc single is a modern over-square engine that thrives on revs. On open fire roads and Alpine gravel passes, it pulls with noticeably more vitality than a CRF300L, sustaining 115 km/h liaison speeds without threatening valve float.

However, in slow-speed technical rock crawls and muddy bogs, that short-stroke character delivers less off-idle lugging torque. Riders will find themselves working the clutch lever more actively on steep singletrack switchbacks compared to a lazy, tractor-like 350cc thumper. The payoff is real long-distance capability: the 14-liter fuel tank provides a genuine 380 km touring radius, liberating backcountry explorers from the anxiety of the CRF’s microscopic 7.8-liter cell.

“A 21-inch front wheel combined with an actual 14-liter tank and 34 horsepower is the holy grail for Trans Euro Trail riders who refuse to tow their bikes to the trailhead on a trailer.”

Cockpit Ergonomics and Trail Electronics

The Coguaro’s riding position is designed around European standing ergonomics, featuring serrated steel footpegs with removable vibration rubber inserts, a tapered aluminum handlebar with a generous rise, and narrow chassis shrouds that allow riders to grip the frame firmly with enduro boots. A compact rally fairing wraps around a crisp 5-inch vertical color TFT display equipped with turn-by-turn navigation and USB-C cockpit power.

Electronics are calibrated specifically for off-tarmac exploration. The dual-channel ABS system incorporates three distinct modes: Full Street ABS, Enduro Mode (which disengages rear-wheel ABS while maintaining front-wheel anti-lock intervention), and Full Off-Road Disengagement. Illumination is 100% LED, featuring a distinctive round projector lamp framed by Morini’s signature circular daytime running light.

What We Know

  • Powertrain: 292.4cc DOHC liquid-cooled single producing 33.5 hp (25 kW) and 27 Nm, Euro 5+ certified with a 6-speed gearbox.
  • Chassis & Geometry: Full off-road 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels, 43 mm USD forks with 230 mm travel, 245 mm clearance, and 14-liter tank.
  • Braking: Single 300 mm front disc with 2-piston caliper, rear 240 mm disc, and multi-mode switchable Bosch ABS.
  • European Launch: Dealer deliveries scheduled for April 2027, with an introductory price target under €5,000.

What’s Still Unclear

  • Final Wet Mass: Prototype specifications estimate dry weight near 139 kg and wet kerb weight around 152 kg; official scale certifications will be published closer to delivery.
  • Accessory Touring Packages: Whether Moto Morini will offer factory aluminum pannier racks and rally towers as catalog options at launch.

Media citation: Editorial outlets and forums may quote excerpts with attribution and a link to Throttle Times.

Official source: https://motomorini.eu/coguaro-300-eicma-2026/

Reporting via: 1000ps.com