Moto Morini's new Seiemmezzo SCR brings a touch of class to both the New Zealand LAMS market and Moto Morini's Kiwi offerings.
Italian brand Moto Morini recently entered the NZ market with the feature-packed X-Cape 650 adventure bike which impressed with its premium components, LAMS classification and road poise. If the X-Cape was let down by anything, it was its extensive use of plastic, and this is something Moto Morini's latest model has remedied.
The new Seiemmezzo range (Seiemmezzo being Italian for 6 1/2) is based on the same chassis and engine combo as the X-Cape but drops the extensive plastics for a steel 16-litre fuel tank and stripped-back scrambler styling. It's a stunning bike to look at in person in any of its six colour options which are split between the more street-focused STR and the scrambler-styled SCR variants.
The Seiemmezzo enters the market priced from $13,990 plus on-road costs for the STR version, with the SCR commanding a slight premium coming in at $14,590.
As with the X-Cape, the 649cc parallel-twin engine is a smooth unit to ride and the fuelling for the EFI is almost flawless. There is plenty of power for overtaking manoeuvres and enough torque on hand to loft the front wheel if you’re feeling cheeky.
The key differences between the STR and SCR are pretty limited. The STR acts as the entry point to the Seiemmezzo as denoted by its alloy wheels while the SCR gets tubeless spoked wheels, a high-mounted front guard and a fly screen behind the TFT dash. The saddles also come in different colours and finishes depending on which variant you choose.
Moto Morini's New Zealand importers, EuroMoto Co, had both an STR and SCR available when I collected the SCR, and I'll admit to being utterly lost in the stunning Rhine Red paint of the STR model. This deep and lustrous hue immediately had me thinking of Mazda’s incredible Soul Red paint from a few years ago. It’s downright stunning on the STR and definitely the most eye-catching colour in the entire stable.
As lost as I got in the Seiemmezzo STR’s paint, the bike set aside for me was the scrambler version - the SCR. Cloaked in Field Green paint with a brown saddle, it looks like it’s ready to get down and dirty.
Jumping aboard and the rider’s accommodations are quite nice. A low seat height of 810mm means both feet can firmly touch the ground, which will come in handy for newer riders attracted by the Seiemmezzo’s LAMS classification.
The back-lit switchgear falls nicely to hand and both the clutch and brake lever are span-adjustable for a perfect fit. Like the X-Cape, the Seimmezzo uses a TFT dash which lights up with a Seiemmezzo-specific start-up screen and has the option to switch between STR and SCR modes. This changes the display of info with a blue scheme for the STR and orange highlights on the SCR. Unlike the X-Cape, the Seiemmezzo’s ABS cannot be switched off in either mode, making the STR and SCR modes aesthetic only.
While the brakes aren’t switchable like the Seiemmezzo’s more off-road sibling, Moto Morini hasn’t skimped on the hardware. The ABS utilises Bosch’s 9.1 Mb system which thankfully isn’t too intrusive on the gravel roads you might be tempted to explore on the Seiemezzo. Doing the actual stopping is a pair of 298mm discs clamped down by twin-piston Brembo calipers up front while the rear is well taken care of by a 255mm disc and twin-piston Brembo caliper. The brakes feel great with good feedback from the lever and equally good stopping power.
Official specs put the power output of the Seiemmezo at 44.5kW or roughly 60hp. This is backed by 54Nm of torque which peaks at 7,000rpm. Power delivery is smooth right up into the higher rev range, meaning overtaking and highway riding can be done with ease.
Overall the Seiemmezzo is a well-sorted package and performs well on New Zealand roads. If I had to call out one thing that could be improved, it’d have to be the seat which isn’t particularly comfortable on longer riders. Being a one-piece unit you can shift your weight around to alleviate any discomfort, but this is 2023 and manufacturers should know how to make a good seat by now.
With seven dealers spread across all the main centres, the growing Moto Morini is worth a look if you’re wanting something different from the established players.
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