Moto Morini Calibro Test: Introduction, positioning and rivals
We were invited to the Moto Morini headquarters in Trivolzio, near Pavia, Italy. There, like its fellow range members, the new Moto Morini Calibro (69 hp, €7,090) was designed in the brand’s Italian Style Centre. This is a medium-displacement custom. You could almost say it’s a medium-high displacement bike, as when we talk about social classes, because the displacement of the Calibro amounts to almost 700 cc.
The intention of the brand has been “to reestablish contact with motorcyclists who love the custom segment (…) We intend to conquer a space in the market through the values that distinguish us: the unique style of our design, the reliability and the balance between the chassis and the mechanics, which guarantees total enjoyment of riding”in the words of Alberto Monni, General Manager of Moto Morini.
The Calibro name is no coincidence, nor is the logo on the side covers under the seat, which shows the sight of a firearm, because Moto Morini has fine-tuned the shot to succeed in a very competitive segment. It so happens that, although it has 69 hp, it is easily limited (to the 48 hp of the A2) at any Moto Morini dealership.
As easy as removing the limits, that is, for the price of an A2 (whether you buy it limited or not), you get a bike that can be your companion for many years. Similarly, after many years, it could be limited again to fulfill the dreams of a new motorcyclist.
Few of its rivals have the possibility of being limited by breaking the 48 hp barrier, such as the Kawasaki Vulcan S (61 hp, €8,600) and the Mitt 808 Big Foot (56 hp, €9,295) that Teo Romera recently tested in these pages. The rest are also bikes with smaller or equal displacement, but all with 48 hp or less. Among them there are real bestsellers: Honda CMX500 Rebel (46 hp, €7,050), Benelli 502 C (47.6 hp, €5,890), Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 (47 hp, €7,247) and its sister, the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 (47 hp, €7,587).
Moto Morini’s aim is for the Calibro to combine Italian design without losing sight of performance, reliability, ease of use and a special attention to ergonomics, key to the relationship between a machine and its rider. Moto Morini’s sights are aimed high. If you keep reading, you will find out how it is aimed.
Moto Morini Calibro Test: Technical characteristics of the Moto Morini Calibro
Except for the use of a belt for the final drive instead of a chain, the Moto Morini Calibro’s technical specifications are conventional. The engine is a 693 cc DOHC inline twin-cylinder that grows compared to the Seiemezzo and X-Cape, through the upper stroke of its cylinders, seeking torque and power in the first two thirds of the rev counter; by the way, this is the protagonist in the instrumentation.
Inspired by American dragsters, it monopolises the clock, limiting the rest of the information (speed, fuel level, coolant temperature, odometer and gear engaged) to a small LCD screen. Although the information is correct, it is a tribute to aesthetics over functionality, because it is not readable at first glance. Behind the pipe, on the left, there is a very practical USB connector for charging devices that can be installed on the handlebar tube.
Power is 69 hp at 8,500 rpm, although the rev counter starts the red zone at 10K. The maximum torque of 68 Nm is delivered at 6,500 rpm, meaning the engine stretches, but the juice is at mid-range.
The chassis is a double cradle made of steel, which may remind us of the Honda Rebel 500. However, its 15-litre metal tank has its own personality. With a real consumption of around 5.1 l/100km, the range is around 300 kilometres, a good figure. The seat is 725 mm from the ground. The footrests can be placed in two positions. As standard, they come in the most forward position, which makes it even easier to move the bike when stopped with your legs.
The brakes are a 320 mm front disc gripped by a J.Juan double caliper, while at the rear the disc is 255 mm. Both are assisted by Bosch ABS. The wheels are 18 inches at the front and 16 inches at the rear. As we were told at Moto Morini headquarters, there are two profile sizes for the rear wheel (180/65-16 or 180/70-16).
The 65 profile has a more aesthetic function, and there is little supply of this size (and it is not cheap) on the market. The 70 profile is more universal and recommendable. Not only is it more efficient and agile, but it is also abundant in the offer of almost all manufacturers, and can be found at a better price. The alloy rims are tubeless.
The front fork is 41 mm in diameter and has 120 mm of travel, not adjustable. The two rear shock absorbers, with 100 mm of travel, are adjustable for spring preload.
The dry weight is 200 kilos, which is very reasonable given the height of the bike. In fact, the wheelbase (1,490 mm) seems larger than it really is. As we will see, this is very suitable for the bike’s performance. It is available in red and grey at a price of €7,090.
There is a Calibro Bagger version with fairing and panniers (€8,190) that looks very nice in the photos, because we were not able to see it in person. It is only available in black, which suits it wonderfully. It also has the rear seat cover that is optional on the standard Calibro and that blends into the line of the bike as well as the rear light does on the mudguard. The front daytime running light consists of a very recognizable circle around the headlight on both.
Moto Morini Calibro Test: How does the Moto Morini Calibro go?
The first pleasant surprise when approaching the Calibro is the perceived quality. Its components feel solid and the finish is very good. Details such as the mirrors, the fuel cap (with a lock, hidden), the footrests or the cover of the turrets give a magnificent first impression to the touch and to the sight. The finishing touch is provided by the seat, with a simply perfect padding.
The ride wasn’t very long; you only notice how comfortable it is when you sit down, because you quickly forget about it, probably the best compliment. The reason is that, once on the move, the bike takes you to its own territory.
It is a very pleasant, almost joyful bike, which encourages you to ride without a destination, just for the pleasure of riding it. Ergonomics is one of the most studied areas in the Calibro. We have already said that the forward footrests favor handling when stopped, but when moving it feels like a natural position. The wide handlebars are at the right distance. The mirrors do not protrude beyond the handlebars, making it easier to move between cars. Its visibility is quite good.
The feel of the engine is very well achieved. Despite the omnipresence of the rev counter, it is irrelevant, because you change your ear in the good torque zone, which is just before the maximum torque zone (6,500 rpm), where you start to feel vibrations that diminish the feeling of pleasure. You can stretch the engine much further and achieve very good accelerations, but then we enter the performance zone which, although good, does not match its philosophy.
It’s best for riding in long gears on all kinds of roads. It has good stability, as long as you don’t intend to go full speed, where there are some movements in the rear end and you may miss power in the front brake. It’s a custom and the footrests will end up rubbing sooner or later, but it allows a sufficient degree of inclination to feel the dynamics of a conventional motorcycle, but without showing off.
The engine capacity is more than sufficient for acceleration, recovery and overtaking. The top speed is around 175 km/h, more than enough in the current times (and the points, which are flying).
We ran two pre-production units. One of them had a hard downshift and it was difficult to find neutral when stopped. The other one worked like a charm, which is what the final production units will do.
Apart from that, I found it hard to find fault with such a nice bike. If anything, there is one thing that is missing: the lack of cruise control is glaring, it would be useful on a bike intended for mileage and would not add exorbitantly to the cost.
I really enjoyed the trip through Lombardy in the summer. It is a bike that can make you forget about your problems and enjoy the moment. I think that is one of the best arguments for those who spend a lot of time on a bike doing miles. If you are one of them and you also use it every day, you will be improving your quality of life.
