2026-on Moto Morini X-Cape 1200 review

Moto Morini X-Cape 1200 expert review

3 out of 5 (3/5)

At £11,599 on the road, Moto Morini’s new X-Cape 1200 is the cheapest large-capacity adventure bike on the market. Debuted at the 2023 EICMA show and, it is now available in the UK market via Morini’s growing dealer network (now 14 showrooms strong).

This big-bore Chinese-built V-twin is aiming to tempt buyers away from the likes of Honda’s Africa Twin, Moto Guzzi’s Stelvio, and Suzuki’s 1050 V-Strom.

Is the Moto Morini X-Cape 1200 right for you?

Reasons to buy:
+ Offers exceptional value at £11,599 compared to its rivals.
+ Loaded with premium features and tech as standard.
+ Strong wind protection for mile-munching.

Reasons to avoid:
– Very heavy, which affects performance and handling.
– Fuel economy is poor compared to competitors.
– Poor ground clearance.

Attractive pricing isn’t the only thing helping the X-Cape stand out against proven opposition. Despite being £2400 cheaper (at the time of writing this July 2026) than a Suzuki V-Strom, £3296 less than Moto Guzzi’s Stelivo, and a whopping £4900 easier on the wallet than Honda’s Adventure Sports Africa Twin, the X-Cape’s list of standard fitment goodies and creature comforts is seriously impressive.

You get cruise control, heated grips, heated seats, a 7in TFT dash with smartphone and sat nav capability, five riding modes, three-stage traction control, cornering ABS, LED headlamps, cornering lights, a centre stand, Brembo brakes, fully adjustable KYB suspension, a built-in forward-facing camera, blind-spot detection, and dual USB ports.

Much of the above is usually reserved for top-spec £25K-plus bikes, like BMW’s R1300GS and Ducati’s Multistrada V4, not a machine costing less than half that price.

The X-Cape is powered by an 1178cc motor that can trace its lineage back to 2005. Designed by Franco Lambertini, referred to as ‘Bialbero Corsa Corta’ (short-stroke twin-cam), and originally used to power Morini’s then flagship Corsaro model, the engine has since been heavily reworked with new internals, electronics, and a ride-by-wire throttle to meet stricter Euro5-plus regulations.

Morini claim 129bhp and 77.4lb.ft, which is a decent step up on its aforementioned rivals, but that performance is tempered somewhat by the bike’s hefty overall weight. The brochure quotes 256kg dry; fully juiced and on the scales that rises to 294 kilos, minus the aluminium top box and panniers that are also an additional £499 on top of the asking price.

On the road the X-Cape lacks the sort of instant punch you’d perhaps expect from 1200cc, a ride-by-wire throttle, and a whisker under 130bhp. Sure, it’ll romp along at reasonable pace, but even top gear overtakes lack the immediate push a 30bhp less (and much lighter) Africa Twin can muster.

Low-rpm fuelling can be snatchy too, but once above 3000rpm the delivery takes on a smoother, linear character that’s best served by gently meandering A-roads.

There are five modes to choose from – Road, Sport, Wet, Off-Road, and All-Terrain – as well as three traction control settings. Gear changes are slick and easy thanks to a light and effective up/down quickshifter, and cruise control is a doddle to operate via the lefthand switch cluster (that’s also backlit for easier operation in low light).

Most noticeable, however, is the sound. The standard fitment exhaust produces a crisp bark of surprising volume, as well as the odd pop and bang on the overrun. It certainly adds to the drama…

Weight plays its hand in the X-Cape’s handling as well as its performance. It’s a big bike with generous ergonomics and plenty of scope to adjust position behind its 24.5 litre tank. Cornering is best executed with care and forethought rather than blind faith and brute force. Once committed, the X-Cape’s not one for changing lines mid-corner. Lean angle is compromised on both sides by the low-slung main stand, too. The skrrrrrrt of steel on tarmac is a common occurrence.

Realistically it’s too big and heavy to take off-road; the fact it lacks a 21in front wheel and knobbly rubber should be warning enough. Braking is decent, however, thanks to twin 320mm front discs, Brembo calipers and a six-axis IMU allowing cornering ABS.

Chomping through big mileages in single hits should be a breeze for a bike of this size, stature and style. Wind and weather protection from the generously proportioned fairing and easily adjustable screen is very good. As are the mirrors that incorporate blind spot detection reminders – perfect for motorways. The rider’s seat starts to pinch the inside of your thighs after 90-100 miles, though, so for those with serious miles in mind, a deeper padded perch would be advisable.

The other fly in the touring ointment is the motor’s thirst. Even at a moderate pace the X-Cape’s two cylinders get through a gallon of unleaded every 42 miles. At worst it sank to 35mpg. Compared to an Africa Twin that’ll return 45-58mpg, the Morini will be more expensive to keep on the go.

But even that can’t detract from what a solid first effort at the big adventure market the X-Cape 1200 is. If you’re thinking about buying an Africa Twin, V-Strom, or Stelvio it’d be folly not to add this new Morini to your test ride consideration list.

FEAST YOUR EYES

Not cheap kit

Morini have opted for quality brakes and suspension on the X-Cape, fitting Brembo monobloc calipers up front, a single Brembo caliper at the rear and Brembo master cylinders all round. Suspension is Japanese KYB, fully adjustable at both ends.

All up front

The X-Cape lights the way with LED headlamps, tail lights and indicators, as well as cornering lights to illuminate the way along country roads. There’s also a 1080p camera mounted beneath the headlamps to record every ride.

An Italian-designed and -developed motor

The 1178cc DOHC 8v 78° V-twin motor was designed by Italian Franco Lambertini and first used in the 2005 Corsaro street bike. Since then the unit’s been extensively reworked to meet Euro5-plus regs and better suit its adventure bike role.

MCN VERDICT

It’s a brave move stepping into a class against such well-proven opposition, but Moto Morini’s ‘hello’ to the large-capacity adventure market is both welcome and confident. While the X-Cape isn’t perfect – less weight and a decent centre stand that allows better ground clearance would go a long way to curing some of the bike’s ills, poor fuel economy included – it’s hard not to be impressed by what £11,599 actually gets you.

How it’ll compare in a head-to-head test with the Africa Twin et al. remains to be seen, but as an opening shot, Morini appear to be aiming in the right direction.