When we tested Moto Morini ’ s X-Cape adventure bike in the August Vol . 1 edition of Kiwi Rider ( you can read that test here https :// www . kiwirider . co . nz / kiwirider-august-2022-vol1 / 0997325001659394536 ), we were more than a little impressed with it . Noticing there had been a lot of interest in the sub $ 16k LAMS-compliant adventure bike , we got in touch with the importer to get one for a longer test , to try and really get to grips with it and see how it holds up to NZ conditions . Moto Morini NZ was keen for us to put it through its paces , so , since the NZ launch we ’ ve been using the X-Cape as the buddy bike for all our photo shoots . Geoff Osborne , our photographer and long-time adventure rider , has been riding it all over the place . Last month it saw some decent action when Geoff rode it to the GS Rallye we organised , and then rode most of gravel route and some of the Challenge sections with no problems at all . Geoff carries a BIG bag full of camera gear , usually in a backpack , so we are now awaiting the factory pannier set to see how that performs . The bike has now done 4125km now . We ’ ll be
fitting a set of Mitas E09 tyres to it next , as we have more gravel roads to check out for some upcoming events . It ’ ll be interesting to see how it goes on some decent 50-50 tyres . In the next couple of months it ’ ll be put through its paces with a number of riders to get as many opinions on it as we can . As with many motorcycles the suspension can be improved from the standard units , so that ’ s something we are also looking into . We ’ ll see what can be done within our modest budget ( and a good representation of what most riders who would buy this bike might spend – this won ’ t be an expensive upgrade as it just doesn ’ t suit ) and we will report back once we have a plan sorted . The X-Cape comes in at $ 15590 plus ORC for the black spoked rim version and comes with a two-year warranty . The first service is at 1000km and then services are every 6000km , so it ’ s delivering a good ride for a reasonable price . So far we have only had to tighten the windscreen once because it was rattling , nothing else has come loose or broken . We ’ ll let you know how it goes ...
22 KIWI RIDER