Moto Morini is looking to expand its UK dealer network to sell its growing range including new 650cc machines which UK importer/distributor Ben Wylie is convinced will sell in numbers to younger riders.
The 650, which comes in four variations – including the Tenere-like X-Scape adventure bike and the 6½ scrambler – is the first fruit of the Italian manufacturer’s acquisition by Chinese scooter manufacturer or Zhongneng in November 2018. The 650s have been designed in Italy at the Moto Morini plant west of Milan and will be built in China.
The new machines will extend the brand’s model range which comprises the Italian-built Corsaro, Milano and Scrambler models based on a common 1187cc V-twin platform. Updated versions of the larger machines will be available in January and the smaller, Chinese-built 650 in May or June.
Of the new 650, which can be restricted for an A2 licence, Wylie said: “They are so flipping nice! A young person is going to go, ‘Yeah! That’s cool’. And then there is the history of the brand and the ‘nichey’ coolness of it.
“Numbers-wise, I don’t think they will knock MV down but you don’t need to sell thousands of them. The 650 transforms Moto Morini from being a niche thing, selling the odd bike, to making loads of money. It should sell more, it is literally less than half the price [of the bigger machines], and dealer reaction at EICMA was interesting – almost a rejuvenated, ‘Oh, flipping heck! This is going to be good, we can sell these’.”
Wylie added: “There are obviously dealers out there who are doing scooters and Chinese entry stuff, but are looking for a stepping stone because after a few years their customers will be wanting to move up.”