The 400-500cc adventure motorcycle segment gets hotter each year. For good reason, too, as these bikes truly get the definition of an “adventure” bike right. They are light on their feet, promise usable performance, and are cheap to fix when your adventure doesn’t go to plan. The cost of admission is accessible for the masses, too, which you can’t say for premium middleweight and full-size ADVs.
The latest entrant to this space comes from Chinese-owned Italian bikemaker Moto Morini. The ADV, called Vettore 450, checks all the right boxes to take on popular Japanese names head-on, be it quality underpinnings, a punchy engine, or modern-day features. All this while, it promises an aggressive MSRP.
Powered By A Parallel-Twin Engine With A 270-Degree Crankshaft
Kawasaki and Honda have stuck with regular parallel-twin engines with 180-degree crankshafts for their 400-500cc ADVs. But Moto Morini has taken the new approach with its ADV. You get a 450cc, parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree crankshaft. This is said to help boost the punch on offer, mimicking the power delivery from V-twin engines. That, along with the 11.5:1 compression ratio and liquid cooling, helps the Vettore 450 produce 44.5 horsepower and 32 pound-feet.
Plenty Of Low-End Punch Is Present
These numbers are right up there with the Honda NX500, but a few ponies less than the Kawasaki KLE500. However, the low-end performance is stronger on the Moto Morini. Its peak power and torque come in at 8,000 RPM and 6,250 RPM (respectively), both lower in the rev range than the Japanese duo. Moto Morini also claims an official top speed of 96 miles per hour if you keep the motorcycle pinned in the sixth gear.
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The Vettore 450 Brings Proper Off-Road Capabilities
The Vettore 450 is Moto Morini’s second adventure bike in the modern era. And the brand has tried to take a different approach than the X-Cape 700. So instead of choosing a balanced 19/17-inch combination, you get a proper off-road-ready 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel. This is closer to proper dual-sport bikes rather than ADVs, which hints at the bike’s off-road focus. The hoops have a 320 mm front and 255 mm rear disc to shed speed.
It’s the same story with the suspension. The 41 mm KYB upside-down forks have 8.2 inches of travel, while the rear KYB monoshoch has 7.5 inches of travel–both more than the KLE and NX500. In addition, you get preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustment up top, with rebound and preload adjustment at the rear. Tying everything together is a tubular steel chassis and an aluminum swingarm.
The Seat Height And Ground Clearance Are Also Impressive
Coming to dimensions, Moto Morini has managed to limit the seat height to an accessible 33.1 inches. That’s just 0.3 up from the NX500, while being a sizable 1.2 inches less than the KLE500. This doesn’t come at the cost of ground clearance, either, which stands at 8.5 inches. What does disappoint slightly is the 419 pounds dry weight (the KLE weighs 425 pounds ready to go).
Modern-Day Features Are Aplenty
We already see Moto Morini load its bikes with quality features, so it’s only fair the new kid on the block is no different. Its cockpit houses a segment-leading 6-inch TFT instrument cluster, complete with smartphone connectivity to show you turn-by-turn navigation and phone notifications. The display also lets you toggle through the traction control and switchable ABS, although you don’t get ride modes.
Aside from these, there are usable creature comforts, too. The windscreen is adjustable, the tank has tank bag strap mounts, there are two USB ports, and the handlebar has 6 positions to suit your style. Last but not least, a center stand is included as standard, which is an uber-rare and underrated feature in the segment.
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The Design Is Unique But Not To Everyone’s Taste
While there’s no denying the features are impressive, it’s not the same case with the design. The Vettore does its own thing here, with a unique bug-eyed front fascia. This is flanked by a motocross-like fender and muscular side fairings. Then lies a minimalistic fuel tank that swoops into the dual-piece saddle. Since design is subjective, we’ll let you decide if the Vettore qualifies as handsome or not.
The Vettore 450 Sells For Under $6,500
Finally, let’s talk pricing. Moto Morini has priced the Vettore 450 at $6,499. This isn’t as aggressive as the pricing we’ve come to expect from Moto Morini, but it still undercuts its direct rivals. The NX500 sits $400 higher, while the KLE500 is much closer at just $100 more. You should know that the base KLE is nowhere near as loaded as the Moto Morini, though. If you want a similar package, you’ll need to spend $7,499 for the KLE SE ABS. All this while, the KTM 390 Adventure R leads the price wars, sitting at $7,699.
Moto Morini Vettore 450 Vs Rivals
|
Specification |
Vettore 450 |
KLE500 |
NX500 |
390 Adventure R |
|
Engine |
449cc, parallel-twin (270-degree crank) |
451cc, parallel-twin (180-degree crank) |
471cc, parallel-twin (180-degree crank) |
373cc, single-cylinder |
|
Power |
44.8 HP |
51 HP |
47 HP |
44 HP |
|
Torque |
32 LB-FT |
31.7 LB-FT |
31.7 LB-FT |
28.7 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed |
Six-speed |
Six-speed |
Six-speed |
|
Weight |
419 pounds (dry) |
427 pounds (wet) |
432 pounds (wet) |
388 pounds (wet) |