2010 Moto Morini 1200 Sport
  
The clean beauty of the naked bike
and the classic style of 1970’s mechanics coexist
in a trailblazing project. So don’t let the
vintage style deceive you: under the fairing are advanced
technological solutions, top-flight components and
an engine delivering exceptional performance.
1200 Sport bases itself technically
upon the 9 ½ project, yet it presents new features
that make it quite different, not only aesthetically
speaking, but also in terms of the technical solutions
and riding setup. It’s a motorcycle with a personality
cult, one with a sporty identity, certainly, but without
overwhelming the rider with extreme performance.
The aesthetic design is by Marabese
Design, who have overseen every last detail. Aesthetically
speaking the main element is the spacious 21-litre
tank, designed with roomy indents for the legs that
make it more streamlined in the lower part. The front
is strongly characterized by the small headlight fairing
placed over the round headlight that protects the
instrument panel and emphasizes its personality. The
single seat forms a seamless body with the lightweight
tail with cover that, when lifted, reveals a comfortable
seat for the passenger.
The technical foundation is totally
exposed: the trellis frame has a reinforced rear to
accommodate the lateral cantilever shock absorber,
directly united with the aluminium swingarm, which
takes shape thanks to the new technology of hydroforming
resulting in two sizeably-sectioned arms in a single,
unwelded piece. At the rear, the left side features
a double silencer with tapered exhaust pipe, whereas
the front has the 50 mm fork. Special attention has
been given to the ergonomics and the setup: the narrow
handlebar and the distance
between the footpegs and seat invite a riding position
weighted on the front, where the rider’s upper
body is projected forward, as is the norm for a sporty
motorcycle.
Components have been selected to create
a blend of contrasts that add to making the 1200 Sport
a motorbike of exceptional character: the strength
of the trellis frame and the elegance of the two-toned
tank; the refinement of the spoked rims juxtaposed
with the force of the Brembo 320 mm brake system to
ensure power and modulation; the muscular Marzocchi
fork with 50 mm legs and the use of the cantilever
lateral suspension by Paioli with piggy back reservoir;
and the round front headlamp contrasting with a more
hi-tech led tail light.
1200 Sport comes with the Bialbero
CorsaCorta 1187 cc twin cylinder designed by Franco
Lambertini, a powerful engine with an unmistakably
sporty soul, which develops 86 kW and 117 hp at 8500
rpm, with a high torque (102 Nm with 10.4 Kgm at 6700
rpm) well distributed over the entire rpm range. The
engine’s
layout is compact, strongly characterized by the 87°
V layout of the cylinders and by the innovative solution
of the integral casing. Compared to traditional solutions,
it offers diverse advantages: the stiffness of the
whole makes the engine a load-bearing element, serving
to simplify the layout of the frame; the ease in assembling
and disassembling means that work can be done on the
engine both during production and servicing (for example,
the lower part of the engine can be opened to gain
access to the gearbox and crankshaft without the need
to disassemble heads from the casing); the pistons
and cylinders can be disassembled without
opening the casing by using the lateral openings;
and there is no longer the need to join the two semi-casings,
typical of motorbike engines, which translates into
huge benefits for production, service and the cost
of spare parts. The exhaust system is characterized
by double lateral silencer with tapered exhaust pipes.
The vehicle complies with Euro 3 emissions standards.
Core of the chassis is the trellis
frame in high-strength tubular steel by Verlicchi
based on an exclusive design by Moto Morini. The structure
offers unparalleled solidity which has been additionally
stiffened in the rear part of the subframe, a stiffness
required for adopting the solution of the cantilever
lateral suspension. Wheelbase, steering rake, and
trail measurements are compact, especially considering
the fact that this bike pumps its energy through a
1200 cc engine.
The function of the chassis is aided
by top-notch suspensions. At front is a mighty Marzocchi
Magnum with 50 mm diameter legs, with exclusive lightweight
plates designed in cast light alloy. The rear is characterized
by a weighty doublesided swingarm, a result of hydroforming,
a new technology based on the deforming capacity of
water power and that allows the production of unwelded
pieces. The swingarm built with
this technology presents advantages in terms of weight
and structural stiffness. It is aided by a Paioli
lateral suspension with piggy back reservoir fully
adjustable in rebound and compression.
The Excel spoked rims with aluminium
alloy channel permit latest generation tubeless tyres
or road tyres in compound for travel in safety, assuring
the best driver performance.
The Brembo systems deliver powerful
yet progressive deceleration, granting the rider the
sensitivity needed for optimum handling of this difficult
aspect of the riding experience. The pair of semi-floating
discs measuring 320 mm at front is operated by axial
callipers with four pistons with differentiated diameter:
it is a solution stemming from a precise technical
requirement -- to provide safety through great modulating
capacity and sheer power. Too often racing systems
that are transferred to road bikes produce reactions
that are
abrupt and difficult to control, especially on roads
open to traffic and on surfaces offering poor grip.
The two-toned fuel tank is in shock
resistant nylon; it has a 21-litre capacity and can
be raised to access the large filter box underneath.
The exhaust system with double lateral
silencer gives the bike an unquestionable identity,
while not compromising the powerful sound of the Bialbero
CorsaCorta twin cylinder. Its environmental impact
is low, allowing emissions to fall under the limits
laid down by the Euro 3 standards.
Moto Morini catalogue of accessories,
devotes to the 1200 Sport a range of products to make
the ride more comfortable:
- Expandable right side pannier in tough fabric,
capacity of 25 litres;
- Tank bag complete with handle for use as luggage
and with straps to turn it into a backpack, 26 litre
capacity;
- Seat case in expandable tough fabric, capacity
15 litres
- Tank cover embroidered with the Moto Morini logo.
- Number plate
- Seat cover
Two colour options are being planned:
British racing green/yellow with white frame and Mediterranean
blue/white with black frame.
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