First ride: Moto Morini 9½ and Corsaro exotic road bikes

Moto Morini motorcycles have become rarities since the company's heyday in the 1970s, but the brand is enjoying a resurgence - not only is it back under Morini family ownership, but its new range of 1200cc twins are making a strong impression around the world. Loz Blain takes the 9½ streetbike and the Corsaro streetfighter for a back-to-back road test and discovers that even if they share their thunderous 1200cc V-twin engine, these two Italian exotics are as different as Meg Ryan and Naomi Campbell.

Two freshly-uncrated exotic Italian motorcycles, a fine and sunny day, and Melbourne’s excellent Formula One racetrack to play on. What could make this a more perfect Saturday?

Our test bikes today represent two thirds of the Italian company's 2007 motorcycle range. One is simply known as the 9½, the other the Corsaro, or ‘Pirate.’ Both names are references to older bikes from the storied Italian company’s racing history.

Both bikes share the magnificent Bialbero CorsaCorta 1200cc v-twin engine, built from the ground up by Moto Morini. Due to its short stroke, the injected powerplant revs hard and fast, responding to a sniff of throttle and delivering mountains of grunty torque from anywhere on the tacho. A V-angle of 87 degrees helps shorten the engine longitudinally, and both bikes benefit from the shorter wheelbase this permits.

The friendly 9½

The engine is tuned down in the 9½ for around 120 horsepower – which suits this friendly streetbike perfectly. The 9½’s styling is quite retro, with a broad tank, spoked wheels, single headlight and a practical, comfy seat that’s just this side of pillion-friendly. If you were being cruel you’d say it looks like a larger VTR250, a slightly more angular take on Ducati’s wildly popular but rapidly dating Monster naked look with its exposed trellis frame.

The riding position is pure comfort and control, the broad bars and excellent mirrors making slow-speed handling through city traffic an absolute joy. Perfectly placed ‘pegs are relaxing on the legs and make it quite comfortable to stand up and ride dirtbike-style. The unadjustable Marzocchi forks and adjustable Sachs shock are set quite softly – at least for a big bloke – giving the 9½ a serene and planted feel.

I’m not sure why Morini chose Pirelli Phantoms as the OEM tyre – in truth the 9½ handles well enough to deserve something sportier. After a single roundabout I felt completely comfortable with the handling. As light on its feet as a Hornet 600, the 9½ flicks through turns easily, delivering instant confidence and winning smiles very quickly during test rides. You’d re-spring it for the harder riding it tempts you into, though, as handling becomes a little uncertain when the pace lifts into proper scratching speeds.

The engine’s just fantastic, revving aggressively like Suzuki’s brilliant TL donk but smoother and gruntier. Even through the stock exhaust it packs a satisfying deep barking note that tempts you to ride it a gear up for the meaty sound. Even a smooth application of the throttle in first will send the front wheel sailing into the air, and with a bit of twistgrip abuse it’ll power-wheelie in second just as happily. Never too quick to lift, it’s a friendly and enjoyable bike for hooligan antics.

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