Morbidelli trail range test + surprise: Introduction
The process of introducing Morbidelli into the Spanish market is unstoppable. Since 2024 and with the help of the Keeway group, it already has 12+1 models in its catalogue, among which there are four scooters, a cruiser, a naked and after this presentation, another naked – which we have also been able to test for the first time -, another retro naked and four trail motorcycles that join the T1002VX that we were able to test last year.
The four trail motorcycles are actually a 125 that are divided into two versions (T125 and T125X) and two motorcycles intended for the A2 license, the T353X and the T502X. Thus, Morbidelli covers almost the entire spectrum of possible displacements, in the absence of a model between the two large ones, which will surely end up appearing.
With so many motorcycles to test, the presentation became an introduction to the models. For this. It was divided into two days. In the first one we were able to test the off-road feel of the trail bikes on the Villalobar off-road circuit in La Rioja, while the next day a nice route had been prepared with several units of each model, in which we journalists exchanged models and opinions at each stop.
At the end of the first day, in the transit from the Villalobar circuit to the hotel, I was able to get hold of the only unit that turned out to be the extra ball of this presentation: the Morbidelli F352, a naked with a good weight/power ratio and that shares a drive unit with the T352X and that, in the absence of an in-depth test, as you will read later, has left a good taste in my mouth.
Test Morbidelli trail range: Morbidelli T125 and T125X
Both the T125 and the T125X are two sides of the same coin. They share the engine, cycle part and dynamic qualities. The differences lie in aesthetics: the T125 has a tougher stance, with high duckbill-like fenders, although curiously it also maintains a low fender.
Its LCD instrumentation is horizontal, unlike the T125X, which is vertical and larger. That is because its Dakarian appearance includes a semi-fairing and windshield, although the models do not differ on an ergonomic level. The position is very comfortable, clearly road-going. The footrests are slightly forward, while the very wide handlebars tend to move closer, making it easier to maintain an upright position.
The engine is a simple water-cooled DOHC single-cylinder that produces 14.21 HP at 9,500 rpm and delivers 11 Nm of maximum torque at 7,600 rpm, which means that, to get the best out of it, you have to run it high. With wheels in sizes 90/90-19 and 110/90-17, 41 mm inverted fork (177 mm of travel) and preload-adjustable shock absorber (55 mm of travel), it plays the middle-of-the-road card required for the trail spirit, although the fork appears a little soft on asphalt under the strongest braking.
Braking is entrusted to a 265 mm front disc and a 220 mm rear disc, both clamped by two-piston calipers, assisted by non-disconnectable dual-channel ABS. The front brake is a little tight and will require the help of the rear to stop the bike reliably. These engine and chassis characteristics make it a motorcycle suitable for beginners in the art of finding cornering, keeping the engine in the good zone when exiting the curves.
For the rest, its lightness (148 kg empty) helps in changes of direction and also when we leave the asphalt, where it is really fun to push the gas unforgivingly without fear of going off. The LCD screen shows all the necessary information, although it is easier to read on the T125X thanks to its larger size.
Added to the equipment is that the pineapples are backlit and have a USB charging port, a good detail. The two models are available in the same colors: Storm Grey, Rosso Corsa, Nero Vulcano and Bianco Perla; in Roman paladin, grey, red, black and white. The T125 is now on sale for €2,990, while the T125X requires €3,290, €300 more.
Test Morbidelli trail range: Morbidelli T352X
The approach of the Morbidelli T352X is really interesting within the two motorcycles destined for the A2. With 41 HP at 10,500 rpm and 35 Nm at 8,500 rpm, it is not far from the maximum 48 HP allowed by legislation for the A2 license, but it only weighs 180 kg on the dry scale, a figure that allows it to operate with great ease on and off the asphalt.
Its design is really striking, although easily confused with the Aprilia Tuareg 660, a compliment that is not strange, given that it has been designed in the brand’s design center in Italy.
It is a compact motorcycle in terms of dimensions and riding position, especially compared to the T502X. The handlebars are no narrower than on the 125 or the T502X, while the footrests tend a little backwards. All in all, it is a comfortable motorcycle, in which the height of the screen can also be adjusted.
Behind it is the 7” TFT screen with all the information you could want, among which stands out the not always usual tire pressure control, a must on a trail motorcycle, in which it is advisable to lower the pressures when we enter the field.
It also includes connectivity and mirroring with the navigation of your mobile phone through the corresponding application. The seat is 820 mm, an affordable figure for almost all sizes (I’m 178 cm tall), since, in addition to being light, it is narrow. Standing it also offers a good position, but above my height taller turrets will be missing.
The feel of the twin-cylinder -yes, it has two cylinders- is very pleasant, it requires turning it up in revolutions to give it its best, but that does not mean it lacks a certain elasticity, allowing it to ride in high gears at low speed without choking, and then turn up the revolutions sufficiently.
On the road it is very fun. It feels very light, especially when changing direction. On the other hand, it is somewhat sensitive to the gusts of wind that we suffered on the day of the route. Far from being a problem, it is appreciated when we enter the brown, where it is agile and obeys within the limits imposed by tires that are more asphalt than mixed. With tacos it must be a real joy.
The suspensions are well sized (inverted fork with 41 mm diameter and 160 mm travel, preload adjustable shock absorber with 56 mm travel) and without being a panacea, they are suitable for mixed use.
The same can be said about the brakes, with a 300 mm front disc bitten by a 4-piston caliper and a 240 mm rear disc, mounted on spoked wheels that wear Pirelli tires in sizes 110/80-19 and 150/60-17.
The electronics are defined by a dual-channel ABS and 3 driving modes (Standard, Sport and Off Road), which strictly speaking do not vary the power curve – the accelerator is by double cable – but in each of them it is a different combination of ABS+traction control, just ABS or neither of the two.
The tank is 18 liters. The autonomy depends a lot on how much and how you give it to the handle, since the average consumption can range between 4.2 L/100 and 5.4L/100, a very wide range to declare a fixed distance. For €4,790, it is available in Track Blue (blue), Bianco Perla (white) and Nero Vulcano (black).
Test Morbidelli trail range: Morbidelli T502X
The largest of those presented (above is the T1002VX) is the only one that is not designed in the Italian design center in Pesaro, but in Barcelona. It is a matter of taste, but in my opinion it is the most attractive, since its lines are proportioned and have their own personality. With the T502X, Morbidelli has achieved a very balanced motorcycle.
Being the heaviest (210 kg in running order), I felt it to be the most balanced of the three displacements in the jumps that we were able to make with the entire trail range during the first day, although in the turns you have to be more careful, the inertia is there. The same can be said on the road. It is the one that feels “more like a motorcycle”, especially when entering a curve where, apart from more inertia, it shows very good manners, having a really successful distribution of masses; she is well born.
Its twin-cylinder is the fullest – of course, with more displacement – as its figures show: 47 HP at 8,500 rpm and 45 Nm of maximum torque at 6,750 rpm. Not only is it the one that delivers more torque, but it delivers it much sooner. This translates into drivability across the entire rpm range – the engine feels fuller.
Curiously, it only has two driving “maps” – the T352X has 3 – but the philosophy is the same as that of its little sister: a Road mode with ABS and traction control and an off-road mode, in which both aids (TCS and rear ABS) are disconnected.
Consumption is between 4.4 and 4.8 l/100, a good range that ensures more than 300 kilometers of autonomy for its 18 liters of tank capacity.
The suspensions are well sized for your navigation program. In its case, the inverted fork has a 43 mm section, 180 mm of travel and is adjustable in preload. So is the progressive rear shock absorber -with links-, with 69 mm of travel.
The brakes are J.Juan: at the front it has a double 300 mm disc brake, with two-piston calipers and 240 mm for the rear disc, all on spoked rims measuring 110/80-19 and 150/70-17, a good compromise for performance on the road and on not very complicated tracks.
The interface is identical to the T352X and just as complete: 7-inch screen, connectivity, mirroringtire pressure monitoring, gear engaged, USB port, etc.
With a very competitive price (€5,390), it is more than ready to fight in one of the segments with the most offer (and growing) on the market. It is now available in three liveries: Track Blue, Heritage GP and Nero Vulcano.
Test Morbidelli trail range: The extra ball is the Morbidelli F352
Surprises are always welcome in presentations. In this case, it manifests itself in the form of a light naked with a current and aggressive design. The Morbidelli F352 shares an engine and performance figures with the T352X presented in these pages, but that is where the similarities end, because the cycle part is 100% intended for asphalt.
You cannot deny its sporty overtones, but although it has raised footpegs, the ergonomic triangle invites you to use it every day, since the handlebars are perfect. Its TFT screen is 5″ and has a very peculiar design to report the rpm: a circle whose diameter increases with the increase in speed. Like its country sister, it also offers connectivity and mirroring.
In addition to the 41 HP of the twin-cylinder, it also shares the 3 engine modes with the T352X, but what is Off Road mode in the former is Expert mode here. It also climbs turns easily and has the same elasticity, but is more reactive to changes in direction.
I was only able to test it for a few dozen kilometers on wet asphalt, but the dynamic sensations suggest that it is a formidable weapon for the urban jungle and on the roads that give access to it. The brakes are the same, of course not the suspensions, with shorter travel and firmer settings.
With 175 kg dry and 1,375 mm between the axles, the Morbidelli F 352 promises strong emotions for only €3,990. There’s a game!
