Moto Morini X-Cape 1200 Anniversary Debuts: 125 HP V2 and Factory Touring Kit

Part of Throttle Times’ live coverage of EICMA 2026.

Moto Morini has marked its upcoming 90th anniversary (1937–2027) by officially pulling the wraps off the production-spec X-Cape 1200 Anniversary Edition on the floor of EICMA 2026 in Milan. Slated to arrive in European showrooms in early 2027 with a comprehensive factory expedition loadout, the new Italian flagship enters the competitive open-class adventure tourer bracket powered by a Euro 5+ compliant 1,187cc 87-degree V-twin putting down 125 hp (92 kW) and 105 Nm of peak torque. Rather than forcing long-distance riders to pore through an aftermarket catalog, the Anniversary specification bundles an integrated three-piece aluminum luggage suite, heavy-duty engine protection bars, a full-coverage aluminum sump guard, and advanced rear blind-spot radar straight off the assembly line.

The Anniversary trim stands out immediately across Hall 24 via a heritage-inspired bicolour livery combining deep Italian racing red with crisp white bodywork and distinctive gold-anodized cross-spoked tubeless wheels. It is an unapologetic nod to Moto Morini’s nine decades of mechanical heritage, positioned directly against heavyweight continent-crossers in the €24,000 ADV Shootout space while undercutting established rivals on turnkey value.

The Return of the Corsa Corta EVO V-Twin

The mechanical centerpiece of the X-Cape 1200 Anniversary is the latest evolution of the iconic Franco Lambertini-designed Bialbero 1200 engine, re-engineered as the V2 Corsa Corta EVO. Displacing 1,187cc with an oversquare 107 mm bore and 66 mm stroke, the 87-degree V-twin utilizes four valves per cylinder driven by a hybrid chain-and-gear camshaft layout. Peak power registers at 125 hp at 8,250 rpm, backed by a flat torque curve delivering 105 Nm at 6,750 rpm, with over 80 percent of maximum pull accessible from just 3,200 rpm.

Fueling is handled by a twin-bore Magneti Marelli throttle body assembly integrated with full ride-by-wire electronic throttle control. European homologation under Euro 5+ noise and emissions mandates is achieved via a stainless-steel 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust system with twin underseat catalytic chambers and dual lambda sensors. Power transfers to the rear wheel through a hydraulically actuated slipper-assist clutch and a six-speed gearbox equipped with a bi-directional quickshifter as standard equipment.

“Celebrating 90 years demanded more than cosmetic paintwork. The Corsa Corta EVO delivers the visceral, broad-shouldered mechanical delivery of a classic Italian V-twin, balanced by contemporary electronic chassis governance and long-haul reliability.” — Moto Morini Engineering Team, Milan Debut

Long-Haul Chassis and Blind-Spot Radar Integration

Beneath the sculpted bodywork lies a composite chassis combining a tubular steel trellis main frame bolted to an aluminum twin-spar sub-assembly and a cast aluminum dual-sided swingarm. Front suspension duties are tasked to a 48mm fully adjustable upside-down front fork providing 175 mm of wheel travel, paired with a linkage-mounted rear monoshock adjustable for spring preload via an external remote hydraulic knob, alongside rebound and compression damping.

Rolling stock relies on tubeless aluminum cross-spoked rims in a road-biased adventure configuration: a 19-inch front hoop wearing a 120/70-R19 tire and a 17-inch rear shod with 170/60-R17 rubber. Braking hardware comes courtesy of Brembo, featuring dual 320mm floating discs clamped by radial-mount four-piston Stylema monobloc calipers at the front, paired with a 260mm rear rotor and a Bosch 9.3 MP cornering ABS unit with switchable off-road modes.

The cockpit centers on a high-resolution 7-inch TFT display offering integrated turn-by-turn navigation, tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS), and dual USB charging sockets. Crucially, the Anniversary edition integrates a millimeter-wave rear radar pod mounted below the luggage rack, providing real-time Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Lane Change Assist (LCA) alerts flashing through high-visibility LED beacons embedded in the rear-view mirrors.

Technical Comparison: Moto Morini X-Cape 1200 vs Key Rivals

The comparison underscores Moto Morini’s aggressive positioning against both its own mid-displacement sibling and middleweight competitors like the Morbidelli T802. While the German boxer retains the outright power edge, Moto Morini delivers a 22-liter fuel cell and factory-standard hard luggage without requiring a five-figure options package.

The Rider’s Trade-Off: Factory Luggage vs Moving Mass

The central mechanical trade-off of the X-Cape 1200 Anniversary centers on mass management versus turn-key utility. Arriving with three full-sized aluminum panniers, structural tubular pannier racks, high-strength crash bars, and a beefy belly pan bolts approximately 28 kg onto the motorcycle’s base wet weight before the rider ever packs a sleeping bag. Tipping the scales near 255 kg fully fueled and boxed, the X-Cape 1200 is an authoritative, planted motorway mile-muncher that shrugs off crosswinds and loaded high-speed tracking, but it demands deliberate rider inputs when negotiating tight Alpine hairpins or loose gravel switchbacks.

Furthermore, while the 175 mm front suspension travel and 19-inch wheel profile offer ample compliance across broken B-roads and forestry service routes, the front-end geometry remains biased toward paved touring stability over hardcore singletrack clearance. Riders seeking deep-sand agility will find the machine far happier hammering across European autoroutes than skimming over Moroccan dunes.

Pricing, Availability, and Show Floor Reality

Moto Morini confirmed that European deliveries of the X-Cape 1200 Anniversary Edition will commence across Italian and major continental dealerships in the second quarter of 2027. While formal retail pricing will be finalized closer to dealer arrival, European distributors target an entry threshold around €14,500 to €15,200 including all standard factory touring kit—substantially undercutting similarly equipped European adventure flagships.

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Official source: https://motomorini.eu/

Reporting via: motorbox.com