EDIT: Our X-Cape was an early USA model... and details were still being sorted out. A few things that Moto Morini clarified for me post-production. Front suspension travel is 6.9 inches, not 6.3. Rear is 6.5, not 5.6. Weight is actually 514, not 520. Rear preload is adjustable without shock removal. They also pointed out that due to the closed cartridge forks, making some adjustments with compression clickers will make more difference that expected and can help with the bottoming. It's my fault for not taking more time during testing to adjust and re-test. Thanks. Why not compare the Moto Morini to a V-Strom 650, CB500X or KLR650? We wanted to compare to a bike at twice the price to make a point. We will do other comparisons in the future. Sound off below if you think the KTM is worth the price of 2 X-Capes! (big thanks to Brandon for helping make this film) X-Cape First Ride Review: th-cam.com/video/3ro-0utw6_o/w-d-xo.html 890R First Ride: th-cam.com/video/-Bf-qkVSpRs/w-d-xo.html 🏍TODAY’S GEAR: ⚡ Klim Krios Pro: imp.i104546.net/WD9gOM ⚡ Schuberth C3 Pro : imp.i104546.net/ZQrND1 ⚡ Sedici Marco 2 Suit: imp.i104546.net/3ePnAk ⚡Sedici Marco 2 Glove: imp.i104546.net/nLnyz7 ⚡ MSR Adventure Boot: bit.ly/433bSVY ⚡ Mosko Moto Wildcat 8L Backpack: bit.ly/3OiE5Ss ⚡ Alpinestars Halo Jacket: imp.i104546.net/GmDVP6 ⚡ Alpinestars Halo Glove: imp.i104546.net/21WgmQ ⚡ Foamerz Glasses: imp.i104546.net/DKQa9b 🏍BEHIND THE SCENES / DISCORD SERVER / CHAT WITH ME! ⚡ Patreon: www.patreon.com/bigrockmedia 🏍 SUPPORT BIG ROCK MOTO BY USING MY AFFILIATE LINKS! ⚡ Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: bit.ly/33kgRIz ⚡ Revzilla: imp.i104546.net/6bxxXN ⚡ Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/bigrockmoto ⚡ Amazon: amzn.to/3viGZ0A ⚡ Merchandise: big-rock-moto.myspreadshop.com/
Aka the KTM then? ER6 I had, same platform as the Versys 650, which is the same platform as the Moto Morini was the least reliable bike i've ever had, KTM's 890 has been rock solid though.
That was my reason for choosing a T7 as a bike I built to ride on BDRs and to do the TAT. Simple electronics (none), proven engine makes for a hopefully very reliable package with easy fixes if things go south. Very capable off road that is also priced well.
@@ApocalypseNouille I've had 4 long term tester Tracer 9s, 2 GTs and 2 standard, + an MT09. These bikes get more regular service than my own bikes and all of them without fail were covered in corrosion and rust all over. none were older than 2 years, and most of them were under 8k miles. Maybe the T7 is better but I've had this on MT07s too. No other bike rusts and gets corroded quite like modern yammies.
The Morini is a great looking bike. Two things about the cb500x: The engine is surprisingly entertaining, and it's 70 - 100lbs less than the Morini. That's a lot lbs-ses.
You’ll find the KTM parallel twin 889 cc engine is made in China. KTM engines have been made there for years. They make the V twin in Austria. To a lesser degree, some engines are sourced from India. They’re generally all good though.
While my 2023 ktm 890 adv r has been sitting at the dealer for the past month for a failed abs unit I somewhat question my choice after only owning the bike for 3 months now. Makes me really wonder how the 12 month warranty will go now that 1/12 of it has allready been used up sitting in the dealers mechanics bay.
@@Ntmoffi funny part is with all the electronics a faulty abs pump caused my headlight to stay on killing my battery while i was at work. Forcing me to use a jump box just to get home. KTM is trying to not cover the repair under warranty because i jumped the bike.
@@FITFO well I'd raise hell then. It's a faulty part which is their problem. Also, never tell them you jumped it whether it's a motorcycle or your car. 😂
@@Ntmoffi ikr the idea in the beginning was to try and speed up troubleshooting with the mechanics so I was as descriptive as possible with videos of the headlight staying on randomly after the key was pulled out even though the abs/mtc light had come on before that. According to the dealer, we have t reached the part of the proccess yet where ktm says or not whether they will cover it or not. We are still in the troubleshooting phase (one month in) but the dealer is already fighting ktm on it. If it comes to it I will raise all hell. There should be no reason I HAVE TO JUMP START A 2 MONTH OLD BIKE!
In Australia the CF moto 650 MT adventure type bike has a good TFT screen , big crash bars , and sells for $8290 AUD new. The Kawasaki Versys 650 2023 model sells for $13500 AUD. Buy the CF moto you save over $5000…sat on one they appear superficially to be very well put together , no creaks and groans when sitting on the seat . Solid and aesthetically pleasing 3 yr unlimited km warranty . But going from observation at local bike shops …a low km CF moto is selling for $6000 . A low km Versys of similar age ( less than a year ) sells for approx $11000. In three years a Versys 650 will sell for approx $8000 A CF moto approx $3000. You go to trade in a CF moto on a $15000 new bike you pay approx $13000 after trade in value of approx $2000. A Versys 650 traded in on a new $15000 bikes you will pay approx $ 8000 after trade in value of approx $7000. So over three years the total cost of the bikes is approx the same …. When it comes time to trade. The whole point though is how often do new Versys buyers find themselves with a bike in the mechanics shop gettting fixed ? We shall see how long CF moto riders sit with unrideable bikes over 3 yrs …having a 3 yr warranty isn’t much use if you have multiple issues and can’t ride your bike to work or leisure . It’s a tough choice …mega cheaper Chinese bike …that might be reliable and parts available …that might… have dealers all around the country soon ….Against a proven much more proven yet expensive Japanese bike …with good parts availability and a dealer in every major town and city . Throwing a spanned in the works the CF moto appeared to be built just as good as a Suzuki Vstrom sitting in the same shop.
Your summary on the KTM 890 is probably the most honest review of the 890. The 890’s have quality control/questionable reliability issues but as an owner you live with that because of the performance. Completely my experience, when my current one goes it’ll be the the last though. KTM needs to improve its qc but these are not new issues to KTM so unlikely to change if it hasn’t by now. The Chinese manufacturer’s are well aware of their reputation in the west so at this point in time the reputable manufacturers with long term plans are probably going a step above to loose that reputation. The sit down chat at the end was really good!
Brandon here: so much this! Exactly how I feel. I am a reliability guy, but gosh darn the KTM keeps pulling me in. The riding experience is amazing. Our hard earned money needs more of KTM's respect so we can reliably count on the bike giving us that experience every time we want to go for a ride or not be stranded in Tierra del Fuego.
So far, those new KTMs i've heard, sound like sh*it can. Even the new 1290. Morini engine sounds better. 🙈 only thing that keeps KTM on top, is power, everything else is trash with them.
@@markuswormann8852 The electronics are not good. with in 1k km my fuel tank sensor went, had the kickstand sensor go bad. When using kickstand to shut down bike (Motorcycle instructor way of doing it) would cause the ECU to mess up and you wouldn't be able to start the bike after with kick stand up with out being in neutral. Blew main fuse somehow, and the main is under the tank not in the fuse box. Some times it didn't start after a stall in neutral, you needed to pump clutch lever to reset the ecu. Poor quality build on the fairings, VERY VIBEY the 180 crank motor will make you feel it, Mirrors were awful they shook and you couldn't see anything out them. The fueling is horrible and the bike at slow speeds is jerky, the ride modes make no difference. Seat was no that comfortable and it allowed for no slide because it was way to grippy. The bike is poorly vented so hot air just blasts into your crotch, city communing in summer was not nice, I ended up making wind deflectors for the fairings. In the end I traded it for a Vstrom. Oh the the CFMoto app is just beyond useless and clunky.
@@markuswormann8852 I recommend taking a nice long test ride which I didn't do. (Stupid I know) Go to a parking lot and do slow stuff. FYI the buffeting is pretty noticable I ended up buying an aftermarket screen. I ended up putting 4k on the bike so I did ride it enough to get a good judgment of it. The heat killed it for me.
I've owned one for 2 years now. 43 000 km. Got an old version, with analogue display. Only recently I had my first issue with the electronics, roll sensor has gone bad and it would shut down the engine at random, water drain in the fuel tank got clogged and I had some water that went into the fuel tank. At some point on a rather long trip, didn't bother to change the oil and I did mercilessly ride 150-180 kmh on the highway for hours in a row, as a result the motor started burning oil, but that was my own fault. Otherwise it was all good, unlike my previous bikes it never left me stranded, I could always just keep on going. It is indeed jerky at slow speeds, but you just gotta learn to use the clutch, it isn't any worse than my dirt bike in this aspect. Despite all that I feel pretty fed up with it at the moment, it's a predictable bike in every aspect, boring even.
I am reluctant to buy the Chinese bikes so far, even if I needed a cheap first motorcycle. They are an unknown -they don't have history or legacy behind them (Even if some of them use the names of defunct motorcycle brands, such as Morini). We don't know how reliable or safe they are, or if/how many corners they cut to get to that price. I don't want to take the risk.
I tend to agree. The only thing I can point to is countries like Africa are packed full of small Chinese duel sports and motor bikes for a long time now. It’s all pretty new here for the US market. For those of us used to Honda type reliability it’s tough to stray even for a few grand in savings. In the ATV world I have seen a lot of reviews of CF Moto quads and you get a lot for your money. Unfortunately I feel like the majority of reviews are more paid sales advertisements than objective. I could be wrong but they just give me that feeling.
Central and South America is packed of Chinese bikes, but the majority are simple small displacement bikes, so they are basically copies of the Japanese motors from the 70's , Fortunately here in the USA the pre owned market is very good for those who want to have a reliable bike at a good price.
Benelli has sold over 50,000 units of the TRK502X world wide. It's now been a proven bike. Americans just are spoiled with latest + greatest technology, so people aren't going to be impressed with a 500cc motorcycle.
I just happy to see more and more affordable new motorcycle on the market again . Not everyone is fortunate enough to buy $16k plus as a motorcycle 🏍️.
That's what used bikes are good for. You can buy a great design with high quality components that has already been tested and validated for the same price (or lower) than a brand new Chinese bike
Your numbers are wrong, every KTM dealer adds freight, assembly, dealer fees, plus the $800 fee KTM wants to unlock the dash. Those fees add another $3500 to the KTM price. The Moto Morini dealers in Az are advertising "No added dealer fees" . You pay MSRP plus tax, title, license.
Buying a KTM seem to like a lottery. My 2021 890 R at 32000 km / 20000 miles has had zero issues. Valve check at 30000 km was perfect. Cam loobes perfect. But... My first 890 had to be replaced due to gear box problem. /Chris
Hello guys, thank you for the excellent review!. I live in Argentina where the economics are crazy as you may know. I bought 10 days ago an X-CAPE 650 brand new and I´m really loving it. Here the price is 13000 US dollars!, but the Suzuki V-strom 650 is 24000 US dollars, so it's a no brainer!
That Morini is a seriously good looking bike. I've been riding long enough that I'd want something more like a Taureg, but the Morini would be an amazing casual or beginner bike.
I love all the new bikes, and the Tuareg is such an awesome bike, I absolutely love the suspension and the side profile of the bike, but it has really short gearing that isn't good for highway driving (apparently). As someone who has ridden for a long time, I absolutely hate modern motorcycle gear ratios, because they seem to be stuck in 3rd gear. There seems to be a law that prevents motorcycles from having an overdrive transmission. The manufacturers seem to want to destroy their own engines as planned obsolescence, by making the 6th gear way too low on every model. Even the Transalp is apparently geared way too low. I think people should refuse to purchase a motorcycle unless it has a 6th overdrive-imagine doing 2,800 rpms at 60mph (not 4,700 rpms)..
The regular 890 Adventure gets a 24-month warranty. I think they give the R 12-months because if you ride the bike for the reason you bought it, it's likely to be pretty hammered.
Perhaps I put too much faith in Japanese quality control, but I wouldn't really consider anything not made by Honda, Suzuki, or Kawasaki. It's the main reason why I haven't already sold my CB500X and bought an Aprilia Tuareg 660.
“Feels like a Versys 650” is all I needed to hear. Owned one for years and never really cared for that Kawasaki p-twin. If only it would have had a 270 degree crank.
YES YES YES! So much this. I love its efficiency and reliability but it's a snooze fest of a motor and has all the aural charm of a congested vacuum cleaner.
Saw a few Morini’s at my Guzzi dealer. Sharp looking bikes. X- Cape is a heavy bike. However, the lack of dealer network in the US makes the bike irrelevant, good luck getting it fixed or parts.
Fixed and parts no problems, it's getting to a dealer for the warranty period that's a problem. It's cfmoto engine and frame. Copy of versys so anyone that can work on will be familiar with this. Don't want to be hundreds of miles from a dealer when it breaks
No matter what you purchase in life. You will always pay double the price, for the top item. Just to gain the 10%, over the item that is in second place. This comparison also works, when comparing women. 😎
Excellent review. Two very different bikes but it was in my opinion a good comparison of whether you want a hardcore off-road bike with good road manners or a simple travelling bike with some decent off-road capabilities. Brandon was a nice addition as well, keep paying him with those water bottles!
Hardcore offroad bike is not this whale, hardcore offroad bike is a 300cc ktm 2 stroke tho. So i dont know which niche huge powerful crossover like that fills.
I bought a cruise control for my 98 Honda for $9.00 on Amazon. Of course it’s not as nice as a built in electronic one, but it works to give the hand a short break. To be fair, I rarely use cruise control even in cars.
It was my biggest hang up with the bike. After more than a month since we filmed this, I find the bike even more compelling. Excellent value for the money.
I love my Xcape 650. I don’t ride crazy anymore and it’s a fantastic all around bike. Not worried about reliability with the 3 year unlimited mile warranty. So far there’s been no issues whatsoever with it. I wouldn’t mind picking up the STR or the SCR next. These bikes are assembled in China, but have Bosch ignition systems, Brembo brakes, and many other parts from Spain and other countries. They aren’t straight up cheap Chinese bikes. For me, the biggest factor is the distance to the closest dealership, but more and more are popping up and we’ll probably continue to see those numbers increase.
Can you do a video about finding Adventure/Dual Sport riding schools? How do we know a good one from a not so good? Are there national or regional groups known for having great training? Skills like riding in sand/loose gravel, hopping over small fallen trees/potholes/ruts, taking short steep slopes up/down a foot or two at the end of pavement.... the basics mostly. Well I am sure info for all skill level riders would be helpful. Every time I search I find only a couple and there are either no new classes available or they are sold out. Maybe there is specific search terms I should be using besides Adventure Riding Class/school/training?
If I was in the market for any adv bike I’d go the cheaper route cause I will NOT have to go to a dealer like the market is “training” us to do I.e. Desert X wants us. You look at the Desert X you have to visit a dealership🤣🤣🤣 That’s why the Japanese motorcycles took over mostly the world for that reliability… Almost everyone hates Chinese bikes where most of the engines today are built there!!! I think even BMW makes some there so what’s the hate for?? I’d love to get my hands on a T7 or a Transalp capable off road… Good stuff Ian
The Morini is 8/10 the price of a Tenere.... You save 20% and get a Chinese bike in Italian drags without a dealer network and unproven QC.... At 5k? Sure! 6?....meh, lemme think...8?! No way. P.s. I was born in a morini household. My first rides on a bike were on the back of my dad's Morini 125 up and down the Dolomites.
Was close to getting the xcape as my first bike but decided for off road was better off with the Himalayan and I didnt want to spend over 10k. Next bike Id like a Tenere maybe, sat on one recently loved it! Or maybe will trade up my Himalayan for the new one. Am kinda in love with my Himmy though as its nice to bimble along...(as it stands).
26:53 226 kpa is 1bar / 100 so 2.26bar. 2bar is around 30psi. you can put x bar to psi in google it calculates. I do that constantly when reading about tire pressures online in your weird imperial units
Brandon is a great addition to your channel, I do enjoy his perspective. Now, regarding the comparison, I think a better choice would have been the CFmoto Ibex and Moto Morini both low priced Chinese Adv bikes.
60hp and 520 pounds on the MM would be like riding and elephant in the dirt.🐘 I'd rather spend a couple of thousand more for a T7 or even a new Transalp.
You failed to mention the Tenere 700, enough, seeing the t7 is not that much expensive. You mentioned the Tuareg 660 more, which is a notch up on the Yamaha price.
I got an 890 adventure r this year. Took a month and about 1500 miles before I had wiring issues with my tailight. Wire was shorting out.😮 I guess a manufacturing error?
True, but because of substantial differences in regional demand, dealer practices (*cough* markups *cough*) we need a static price metric. As always, you're likely paying thousands more after stealer fees and taxes, but you may also be that guy or gal that gets a great deal and buys it OTD close to MSRP.
With the Suzuki v-storm 650xt,800de, out their. All depends on your height and inseam good choices for new riders or experience riders for the price ! Enjoy the comparison of both bikes thank you
In the past I’d say this was a great value for a large % of ADV riders. But my views have changed the past couple years. There are a ton of nice used bikes under $10k if that’s your budget. Personally I’d rather not send more money to support China that’s supporting Russia’s invasion and war crimes. My .02c.
I bought a used, kitted CB500X and got the Rally Raid Stage 3 kit and spent about the same to get it basically to where the Moto Morini is, perhaps with a better suspension on mine. Still not sure which I’d pick
KTM does not own CFMoto, CFMoto is pretty much a bigger player, they make bikes for many other brands too like Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha in China. They have license to use Kawasaki and KTM engine design. Usually not the latest
Cool review. The new kid on the block is interesting. Biggest problem for me is that it's impossible to know how good it is until it's been on the road for a few years. Reliability is key, and for now an unknown factor.
Nah, Kawasaki sold the licence to legally manufacture and sell the old er6/versys parts to CFMOTO, Morini is buying the engine (euro5 adapted) and chasis to them, then they buy the suspension, inyection, tires, brakes, etc to reputable manufacturers like Brembo, Bosch and Kayaba so they only manufacture the italy designed fairings (and seats and stuff) and put it together, they have no i+d costs, but they still got well tested parts.
Good review as usual, thanks. I'll keep my 22 CB500X, thanks all the same. After 8,400 miles on it, not a single issue. It's Honda, reliable, from a company that builds 18 million bikes a year, with a huge support system, etc. It looks good because it was designed by the Italians, has a lot of features, but the problem is that it is built by the Chinese with their near slave labor costs, so what could go wrong. What is "good" factory support from China, three weeks waiting for a parts to clear customs, I think not. Chinese have a issue of quality control after the initial product is shipped, after which it goes down the toilet. That is why there are half million foreigners in China to oversee the production of their company's products to insure the quality of the material use and manufacturing remains the same. However, it may start the trend of the established companies to start putting cruise control on the lower end bikes.
Hi fixento. Actually, we have our Moto Morini USA Headquarters based in Irvine, CA that has a massive inventory of replacement parts and accessories. And the bikes come with a extraordinary 3 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty. Have a nice day.
You are so right about the skill vs the bike. Thirty-five years ago, I could drag the pegs consistently because I was fresh out of training, and I rode about 362 days a year. Now, I am slow as can be. Maybe it is age.
Brandon is always a great counterpoint addition on dual-ride evaluations. Based on this in-depth on-pavement/off-pavement review, I will definitely consider a Morini. I will definitely not consider a KTM because overall reliability is more important to me than features and hyper-performance.
Brandon here: time will only tell, but owning a Versys (which the Morini is heavily derived from) and having thrashed on it, no immediate concerns came up for me on assembly and parts quality - dare I say, it felt very "Japanese." Ridden some other big name bikes I won't call out over the past 2 years that didn't seem nearly as well built and cost 3x as much, no joke. Also, owning a newish KTM middle weight, I truly have more confidence in the reliability of this unknown bike compared to recent KTM efforts. It hurts me to say that since the performance envelope is unmatched and I've spent my own hard earned money on it. It will be interesting to see if the durability proves itself and more so, the parts supply and aftermarket farkle network.
You forgot to compare resale value & resale-ability of these two bikes. Frankly, I think the Moto-Morini would be tough to sell even if it was in good condition and not that old. Not so much of a problem with the KTM, I think .
I’ve had my 2023 890 R since May, 5400 almost troublefree Central Oregon miles. Except for hard, cold starts and a fast, slow leak on the front tire (new Motoz desert h/t’s fixed that) the new tires did increase the stand over height, stock tires sucked. Watch the kickstand bolt, my backs out even with lock tite. I’m happy w/ the KTM.
"He does not have the professional training I do..." Locks up real wheel because of lack of a rider aid. Not knocking you Ian, but this is exactly what seasoned riders fear with slipper-assist clutch, ABS, Traction control, etc on newer bikes. I love all of what I I just listed and have all of them on my newest bike but I make a point of riding like I don't because other bikes in my fleet don't have them (some or any. depending on the bike). I am a huge fan of learning the basics but also a realist in that few street-legal bikes still offer the "no assist" experience.
Ian, try to adjust the spoiler to almost horisontal. I have found that to be the best position. More wind at throat area but no buffeting. I have Rade Garage tower. It's terrible withot a spoiler in horusontal position. Only slightly tilted up. Counterintuitive but it works. /Chris
Brandon here: Ian and I have both owned too many KLRs to count. As much as there's a soft spot in my heart for them, I like the Moto Morini better. I'd take the KLR if I was touring the world - ability to cobble together when problems arise might matter most.
The Morini is a great looking bike. It would suit me more than the KTM as i like to cruise off-road and take in the scenery. The dealer network just needs to mature a bit.
AS all ways very enlightening. I decided on a 23 klr as my last bike. Based largely on three reviews, and having owned a gen 1. You might increase subscription base; if as well as reviewing some less expensive bikes, which you do, that you also include some inexpensive riding gear. Yes we would all like to own the best, but budget rules many of us. Thank you for the work you do.
Id definitely pay more for the KTM... The low end tourqe, suspension, and chassis are worth it if you want to ride offroad. Ive owned 5 KTMs and all have been flawless. My 1090R is going strong after 6 years.
CF Moto has been making engines in China for KTM for years. Now KTM Own CF Moto. I found that on my 2022 KTM 300 XC TPI that the wheel strip over the spokes was approx. 70% not over the spokes. So I replaced it with a couple rounds of black heavy duty Gorilla tape as many shops do for dirt bikes. This was on both wheels. This probably is the issue with the 890's as you mentioned. Maybe all KTM's?
i would like your thoughts on ,better rear shock,fork if needed, and is there options to unlock some ponies, the price for these ,then how does it compare,is it closer in spec vs $ to the ktm
X-cape è una moto fantastica, osservi il mondo tra le curve, da 5500 giri in su si scatena, ci si diverte un sacco, la si spreme fino a 9000 giri per una guida allegra. Sotto i 5500 è una moto tranquilla, esplora, ti porta dove vuoi.. grazie Morini!
Outstanding reviews, Brandon and Ian. Exceptionally unbiased. Sounds like a better adjustable rear shock, slightly more travel with good compression and rebound adjustments on it (Ohlin?) would really help this bike out. Brembo's are another big + for brake feel. The sit down review at the end is where the value in this video lies. Very, very good point and counter points by two very knowledgeable and credible seasoned Adventure bike owners, calling it out like it is, no sugar coating, no BS.
How about the xl750 Transalp vs KTM 890? Upgraded suspension on the Transalp, cruise control option can it beat off the possible unreliable KTM and super sticker price?
Question for you. A lot is being made and likely rightly so that there are not a lot of dealerships currently and it will take years to change significantly. But…given that this bike uses the Kawasaki engine and has so many components that are very familiar to those dealerships…is it fair or safe to say that you could take the Xcape to a Kawasaki.dealership and have them do anything related to oil changes, value adjustments and other engine relations service. Is too much (perhaps) being made of the lack of dealerships? Love your thoughts here?
KTM 390 Adventure has more suspension travel than Morini. It has MTC, Off Road, On Road, and Full Off, it has angel traction control and ABS, as well as Off-Road ABS. Way bigger travel range and at lower price. Sure, it has less guarantee, but we know how reliable they are. Less horsepower, but same torque. TFT display, sure bigger is better, but it doesn't matter if all you see is a speedometer, KTM's TFT is smaller but full of information. And like Morini, KTM 390 Adv parts are cheap. Do I need to mention again: better suspension, price and weight.
It also has just under 8" of ground clearance, stock crash bars, is 130 lbs lighter, and has good (not great) radial brakes even though it's a single disc on the front. On the negative side it has a taller seat height and lower bars (since you definitely sit more on it than in it) but would likely do just as well when off-road. It's in the same class of soft-roader, you just have to keep your speed more reasonable and watch for things that could mash the crappy stock skid plate. It obviously can't keep up with the 890R, but it's great for bombing around fire roads or dirt touring. No reliability issues or anything really to complain about from a guy who currently has a 390 Adv and 890R. If I had the 390 with the spoked wheels I might have kept it.
What a fun review and comparison with some KTM snob-like and friendly ribbing :) The X-Cape looks and capability make it seem like a strong challenger and a bit more "adventure/dakar" "adventure-trail" style and capability compared to the more road-style "adventure-touring" bikes like the Versys. If a KLR price was appealing but you want more "adventure" and less "dirt bike" styling plus a smoother engine, this seems like a good choice. Lets be honest, that price range and capabilities is going to make meet the needs of most weekend and commuter riders.
I can’t get over the price of new motorcycles these days. IMO 16K should get you a top of the line bike. It’s midrange these days. Displacement to value isn’t balanced; price increases far too much with the large capacity bikes. HD adds on tons of fees. HD baggers, wings, BMW GS/RT’s are at least as much as I paid for a new MK7 GTI. It’s just wrong.
KTM 890 Adventure R is not for the novice / beginner rider and should not be compared to the one that is targeted to that segment of drivers. Specs are entirely different and for different driving styles and road types. Given the big differences between the two, you really can expect how much the KTM costs. One important thing is that for the untrained, regular driver, the Morini is just more than enough for a daily commute and will do just find for easy off the road adventures, so, from that point of view, it's not justified paying twice the price for a KTM. For the off-road expert, it's expected that the Morini will simply not be enough
EDIT: Our X-Cape was an early USA model... and details were still being sorted out. A few things that Moto Morini clarified for me post-production. Front suspension travel is 6.9 inches, not 6.3. Rear is 6.5, not 5.6. Weight is actually 514, not 520. Rear preload is adjustable without shock removal. They also pointed out that due to the closed cartridge forks, making some adjustments with compression clickers will make more difference that expected and can help with the bottoming. It's my fault for not taking more time during testing to adjust and re-test. Thanks.
Why not compare the Moto Morini to a V-Strom 650, CB500X or KLR650? We wanted to compare to a bike at twice the price to make a point. We will do other comparisons in the future. Sound off below if you think the KTM is worth the price of 2 X-Capes! (big thanks to Brandon for helping make this film)
X-Cape First Ride Review: th-cam.com/video/3ro-0utw6_o/w-d-xo.html
890R First Ride: th-cam.com/video/-Bf-qkVSpRs/w-d-xo.html
🏍TODAY’S GEAR:
⚡ Klim Krios Pro: imp.i104546.net/WD9gOM
⚡ Schuberth C3 Pro : imp.i104546.net/ZQrND1
⚡ Sedici Marco 2 Suit: imp.i104546.net/3ePnAk
⚡Sedici Marco 2 Glove: imp.i104546.net/nLnyz7
⚡ MSR Adventure Boot: bit.ly/433bSVY
⚡ Mosko Moto Wildcat 8L Backpack: bit.ly/3OiE5Ss
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Pls tag me when you do those reviews,
I don't wanna miss those reviews 😊😊
For 3k more you get a pan America special. 3x the bike.
I love Brandon’s one word summary during the intro. “No.”
For those of us that are travellers as opposed to off road riders , motorcycles that are reliable and and easy to maintain is preferred .
Aka the KTM then? ER6 I had, same platform as the Versys 650, which is the same platform as the Moto Morini was the least reliable bike i've ever had, KTM's 890 has been rock solid though.
That was my reason for choosing a T7 as a bike I built to ride on BDRs and to do the TAT. Simple electronics (none), proven engine makes for a hopefully very reliable package with easy fixes if things go south. Very capable off road that is also priced well.
@@ApocalypseNouille Yes except yamaha's rust to pieces which is the exact trait you don't want in an all weather adventure bike..
@@AntaresSQ01 Not my experience, but ok.
@@ApocalypseNouille I've had 4 long term tester Tracer 9s, 2 GTs and 2 standard, + an MT09. These bikes get more regular service than my own bikes and all of them without fail were covered in corrosion and rust all over. none were older than 2 years, and most of them were under 8k miles. Maybe the T7 is better but I've had this on MT07s too. No other bike rusts and gets corroded quite like modern yammies.
Paid $5300 for my 2017 VStrom 650...brand new. It just goes on dirt roads and is an amazing two lane touring bike,
The Morini is a great looking bike. Two things about the cb500x: The engine is surprisingly entertaining, and it's 70 - 100lbs less than the Morini. That's a lot lbs-ses.
Had the 890R, wouldn't consider a Chicom bike. I'm voting for the T7.
You’ll find the KTM parallel twin 889 cc engine is made in China. KTM engines have been made there for years. They make the V twin in Austria. To a lesser degree, some engines are sourced from India. They’re generally all good though.
While my 2023 ktm 890 adv r has been sitting at the dealer for the past month for a failed abs unit I somewhat question my choice after only owning the bike for 3 months now. Makes me really wonder how the 12 month warranty will go now that 1/12 of it has allready been used up sitting in the dealers mechanics bay.
Shoot man that sucks. I just got the extendo warranty for my 390 just in case anything like this would happen.
@@Ntmoffi funny part is with all the electronics a faulty abs pump caused my headlight to stay on killing my battery while i was at work. Forcing me to use a jump box just to get home. KTM is trying to not cover the repair under warranty because i jumped the bike.
@@FITFO well I'd raise hell then. It's a faulty part which is their problem. Also, never tell them you jumped it whether it's a motorcycle or your car. 😂
@@Ntmoffi ikr the idea in the beginning was to try and speed up troubleshooting with the mechanics so I was as descriptive as possible with videos of the headlight staying on randomly after the key was pulled out even though the abs/mtc light had come on before that. According to the dealer, we have t reached the part of the proccess yet where ktm says or not whether they will cover it or not. We are still in the troubleshooting phase (one month in) but the dealer is already fighting ktm on it. If it comes to it I will raise all hell. There should be no reason I HAVE TO JUMP START A 2 MONTH OLD BIKE!
Excuse my ignorance but why is jumping starting a motorcycle an issue?
In Australia the CF moto 650 MT adventure type bike has a good TFT screen , big crash bars , and sells for $8290 AUD new.
The Kawasaki Versys 650 2023 model sells for $13500 AUD.
Buy the CF moto you save over $5000…sat on one they appear superficially to be very well put together , no creaks and groans when sitting on the seat .
Solid and aesthetically pleasing 3 yr unlimited km warranty .
But going from observation at local bike shops …a low km CF moto is selling for $6000 .
A low km Versys of similar age ( less than a year ) sells for approx $11000.
In three years a Versys 650 will sell for approx $8000
A CF moto approx $3000.
You go to trade in a CF moto on a $15000 new bike you pay approx $13000 after trade in value of approx $2000.
A Versys 650 traded in on a new $15000 bikes you will pay approx $ 8000 after trade in value of approx $7000.
So over three years the total cost of the bikes is approx the same …. When it comes time to trade.
The whole point though is how often do new Versys buyers find themselves with a bike in the mechanics shop gettting fixed ?
We shall see how long CF moto riders sit with unrideable bikes over 3 yrs …having a 3 yr warranty isn’t much use if you have multiple issues and can’t ride your bike to work or leisure .
It’s a tough choice …mega cheaper Chinese bike …that might be reliable and parts available …that might… have dealers all around the country soon ….Against a proven much more proven yet expensive Japanese bike …with good parts availability and a dealer in every major town and city .
Throwing a spanned in the works the CF moto appeared to be built just as good as a Suzuki Vstrom sitting in the same shop.
Your summary on the KTM 890 is probably the most honest review of the 890. The 890’s have quality control/questionable reliability issues but as an owner you live with that because of the performance. Completely my experience, when my current one goes it’ll be the the last though. KTM needs to improve its qc but these are not new issues to KTM so unlikely to change if it hasn’t by now. The Chinese manufacturer’s are well aware of their reputation in the west so at this point in time the reputable manufacturers with long term plans are probably going a step above to loose that reputation. The sit down chat at the end was really good!
Brandon here: so much this! Exactly how I feel. I am a reliability guy, but gosh darn the KTM keeps pulling me in. The riding experience is amazing. Our hard earned money needs more of KTM's respect so we can reliably count on the bike giving us that experience every time we want to go for a ride or not be stranded in Tierra del Fuego.
So far, those new KTMs i've heard, sound like sh*it can. Even the new 1290. Morini engine sounds better. 🙈 only thing that keeps KTM on top, is power, everything else is trash with them.
Can you provide some emperical data?@@TheKraanc
I owned a CFMoto MT650 and it was the worst bike I have ever owned. I now am happy on my 800DE.
What kind of complaints did you had? I am going to get a CF 650...
@@markuswormann8852 The electronics are not good. with in 1k km my fuel tank sensor went, had the kickstand sensor go bad. When using kickstand to shut down bike (Motorcycle instructor way of doing it) would cause the ECU to mess up and you wouldn't be able to start the bike after with kick stand up with out being in neutral. Blew main fuse somehow, and the main is under the tank not in the fuse box. Some times it didn't start after a stall in neutral, you needed to pump clutch lever to reset the ecu. Poor quality build on the fairings, VERY VIBEY the 180 crank motor will make you feel it, Mirrors were awful they shook and you couldn't see anything out them. The fueling is horrible and the bike at slow speeds is jerky, the ride modes make no difference. Seat was no that comfortable and it allowed for no slide because it was way to grippy. The bike is poorly vented so hot air just blasts into your crotch, city communing in summer was not nice, I ended up making wind deflectors for the fairings. In the end I traded it for a Vstrom. Oh the the CFMoto app is just beyond useless and clunky.
@@NoSkillzMoto Thanks for your honesty impressions.That stuff no tester is telling you...
@@markuswormann8852 I recommend taking a nice long test ride which I didn't do. (Stupid I know) Go to a parking lot and do slow stuff. FYI the buffeting is pretty noticable I ended up buying an aftermarket screen. I ended up putting 4k on the bike so I did ride it enough to get a good judgment of it. The heat killed it for me.
I've owned one for 2 years now. 43 000 km. Got an old version, with analogue display. Only recently I had my first issue with the electronics, roll sensor has gone bad and it would shut down the engine at random, water drain in the fuel tank got clogged and I had some water that went into the fuel tank. At some point on a rather long trip, didn't bother to change the oil and I did mercilessly ride 150-180 kmh on the highway for hours in a row, as a result the motor started burning oil, but that was my own fault. Otherwise it was all good, unlike my previous bikes it never left me stranded, I could always just keep on going. It is indeed jerky at slow speeds, but you just gotta learn to use the clutch, it isn't any worse than my dirt bike in this aspect. Despite all that I feel pretty fed up with it at the moment, it's a predictable bike in every aspect, boring even.
I am reluctant to buy the Chinese bikes so far, even if I needed a cheap first motorcycle. They are an unknown -they don't have history or legacy behind them (Even if some of them use the names of defunct motorcycle brands, such as Morini). We don't know how reliable or safe they are, or if/how many corners they cut to get to that price. I don't want to take the risk.
I tend to agree. The only thing I can point to is countries like Africa are packed full of small Chinese duel sports and motor bikes for a long time now. It’s all pretty new here for the US market. For those of us used to Honda type reliability it’s tough to stray even for a few grand in savings.
In the ATV world I have seen a lot of reviews of CF Moto quads and you get a lot for your money. Unfortunately I feel like the majority of reviews are more paid sales advertisements than objective. I could be wrong but they just give me that feeling.
Central and South America is packed of Chinese bikes, but the majority are simple small displacement bikes, so they are basically copies of the Japanese motors from the 70's ,
Fortunately here in the USA the pre owned market is very good for those who want to have a reliable bike at a good price.
Benelli has sold over 50,000 units of the TRK502X world wide. It's now been a proven bike. Americans just are spoiled with latest + greatest technology, so people aren't going to be impressed with a 500cc motorcycle.
26:24 I've rode with him one time and thats what he did to dork in the road and me
I just happy to see more and more affordable new motorcycle on the market again . Not everyone is fortunate enough to buy $16k plus as a motorcycle 🏍️.
Yes! We all win.
That's what used bikes are good for. You can buy a great design with high quality components that has already been tested and validated for the same price (or lower) than a brand new Chinese bike
Yep, used vehicles are a very important part of the vehicle market. Poor people, new people, people just wanting to dip their toe.
@@ALIENdrifter66 Imagine a used chinese bike !
Your numbers are wrong, every KTM dealer adds freight, assembly, dealer fees, plus the $800 fee KTM wants to unlock the dash. Those fees add another $3500 to the KTM price. The Moto Morini dealers in Az are advertising "No added dealer fees" . You pay MSRP plus tax, title, license.
Buying a KTM seem to like a lottery.
My 2021 890 R at 32000 km / 20000 miles has had zero issues.
Valve check at 30000 km was perfect.
Cam loobes perfect.
But...
My first 890 had to be replaced due to gear box problem.
/Chris
Hello guys, thank you for the excellent review!. I live in Argentina where the economics are crazy as you may know. I bought 10 days ago an X-CAPE 650 brand new and I´m really loving it. Here the price is 13000 US dollars!, but the Suzuki V-strom 650 is 24000 US dollars, so it's a no brainer!
That Morini is a seriously good looking bike. I've been riding long enough that I'd want something more like a Taureg, but the Morini would be an amazing casual or beginner bike.
I love all the new bikes, and the Tuareg is such an awesome bike, I absolutely love the suspension and the side profile of the bike, but it has really short gearing that isn't good for highway driving (apparently). As someone who has ridden for a long time, I absolutely hate modern motorcycle gear ratios, because they seem to be stuck in 3rd gear. There seems to be a law that prevents motorcycles from having an overdrive transmission. The manufacturers seem to want to destroy their own engines as planned obsolescence, by making the 6th gear way too low on every model. Even the Transalp is apparently geared way too low. I think people should refuse to purchase a motorcycle unless it has a 6th overdrive-imagine doing 2,800 rpms at 60mph (not 4,700 rpms)..
The regular 890 Adventure gets a 24-month warranty. I think they give the R 12-months because if you ride the bike for the reason you bought it, it's likely to be pretty hammered.
only in the US though. Most other markets, if not all, the R model has a 24 month warranty.
In the EU its mandatory a 3 year minimum warranty for every bike@@k_plax
Perhaps I put too much faith in Japanese quality control, but I wouldn't really consider anything not made by Honda, Suzuki, or Kawasaki. It's the main reason why I haven't already sold my CB500X and bought an Aprilia Tuareg 660.
“Feels like a Versys 650” is all I needed to hear. Owned one for years and never really cared for that Kawasaki p-twin. If only it would have had a 270 degree crank.
YES YES YES! So much this. I love its efficiency and reliability but it's a snooze fest of a motor and has all the aural charm of a congested vacuum cleaner.
Saw a few Morini’s at my Guzzi dealer. Sharp looking bikes. X- Cape is a heavy bike. However, the lack of dealer network in the US makes the bike irrelevant, good luck getting it fixed or parts.
Fixed and parts no problems, it's getting to a dealer for the warranty period that's a problem. It's cfmoto engine and frame. Copy of versys so anyone that can work on will be familiar with this.
Don't want to be hundreds of miles from a dealer when it breaks
its kawa engine cf moto or anyoen can do. online parts
Brandon did a good job of being a part of this video and provide useful information in a clear way, props to him!
This spring I was in Italy for 2 months. The Moto Morini was one of the most seen bikes around.
Think a comparison to the 390 Adventure would be nice. It's got a bunch of the KTM features as standard and slightly more off-road oriented.
No matter what you purchase in life. You will always pay double the price, for the top item. Just to gain the 10%, over the item that is in second place. This comparison also works, when comparing women. 😎
TBH, as ridiculously more expensive as the KTM is, it feels like double the riding excitement in the power and suspension.
@@BSC610you won't be ussing those exta HP anyways, think again Rossi.
@@JoseAlvarez-dl3hmTouche! I'm a power junky. 😁That's why I own a KTM and my wife the Versys.
Excellent review. Two very different bikes but it was in my opinion a good comparison of whether you want a hardcore off-road bike with good road manners or a simple travelling bike with some decent off-road capabilities. Brandon was a nice addition as well, keep paying him with those water bottles!
Excellent! You got the point of the "comparison." We realize these are two very different tiers of bikes.
Hardcore offroad bike is not this whale, hardcore offroad bike is a 300cc ktm 2 stroke tho. So i dont know which niche huge powerful crossover like that fills.
Lack of cruise control is honestly a hard stop … I think many who have had CC and covered lots of miles may feel the same
I bought a cruise control for my 98 Honda for $9.00 on Amazon. Of course it’s not as nice as a built in electronic one, but it works to give the hand a short break. To be fair, I rarely use cruise control even in cars.
Id love to have adaptive CC on my cb500x. Id prb pay $2,000 for it lol
@@ducati135 on my bmw r1200rt I use it all the time because trying to manage speed intuitively is a recipe for meeting cops 😂
It was my biggest hang up with the bike. After more than a month since we filmed this, I find the bike even more compelling. Excellent value for the money.
We all survived the last 40+ years without cruise control - part of the riding experience imo.
The morini is beautiful 😍😍😍😍
You've got to admit, the Morini is a more attractive machine (even though just about everything else is worse)
I have taken my Honda Shadow off road a few times, and it was an adventure. I no longer do that after three tube flats, and two tires.
Should we just get a Suzuki DR650?
Peter Egan approves of this message.
I love my Xcape 650. I don’t ride crazy anymore and it’s a fantastic all around bike. Not worried about reliability with the 3 year unlimited mile warranty. So far there’s been no issues whatsoever with it. I wouldn’t mind picking up the STR or the SCR next. These bikes are assembled in China, but have Bosch ignition systems, Brembo brakes, and many other parts from Spain and other countries. They aren’t straight up cheap Chinese bikes. For me, the biggest factor is the distance to the closest dealership, but more and more are popping up and we’ll probably continue to see those numbers increase.
Only 1yr warranty on the KTM? They are not confident leaving the factory.
Can you do a video about finding Adventure/Dual Sport riding schools? How do we know a good one from a not so good? Are there national or regional groups known for having great training? Skills like riding in sand/loose gravel, hopping over small fallen trees/potholes/ruts, taking short steep slopes up/down a foot or two at the end of pavement.... the basics mostly. Well I am sure info for all skill level riders would be helpful. Every time I search I find only a couple and there are either no new classes available or they are sold out. Maybe there is specific search terms I should be using besides Adventure Riding Class/school/training?
If I was in the market for any adv bike I’d go the cheaper route cause I will NOT have to go to a dealer like the market is “training” us to do I.e. Desert X wants us. You look at the Desert X you have to visit a dealership🤣🤣🤣 That’s why the Japanese motorcycles took over mostly the world for that reliability… Almost everyone hates Chinese bikes where most of the engines today are built there!!! I think even BMW makes some there so what’s the hate for?? I’d love to get my hands on a T7 or a Transalp capable off road… Good stuff Ian
Well said.
The Morini is 8/10 the price of a Tenere.... You save 20% and get a Chinese bike in Italian drags without a dealer network and unproven QC....
At 5k? Sure! 6?....meh, lemme think...8?! No way.
P.s.
I was born in a morini household. My first rides on a bike were on the back of my dad's Morini 125 up and down the Dolomites.
6/10 of the price here...
They should add cruise control and standard luggage racks and position it as an all-road travel bike.
Was close to getting the xcape as my first bike but decided for off road was better off with the Himalayan and I didnt want to spend over 10k.
Next bike Id like a Tenere maybe, sat on one recently loved it! Or maybe will trade up my Himalayan for the new one.
Am kinda in love with my Himmy though as its nice to bimble along...(as it stands).
Good choice!
26:53
226 kpa is 1bar / 100 so 2.26bar. 2bar is around 30psi. you can put x bar to psi in google it calculates.
I do that constantly when reading about tire pressures online in your weird imperial units
Brandon is a great addition to your channel, I do enjoy his perspective. Now, regarding the comparison, I think a better choice would have been the CFmoto Ibex and Moto Morini both low priced Chinese Adv bikes.
60hp and 520 pounds on the MM would be like riding and elephant in the dirt.🐘
I'd rather spend a couple of thousand more for a T7 or even a new Transalp.
You failed to mention the Tenere 700, enough, seeing the t7 is not that much expensive. You mentioned the Tuareg 660 more, which is a notch up on the Yamaha price.
Man, the KTM is a nice bike when new, but the reliability of the KTM to me is a FULL STOP!
I got an 890 adventure r this year. Took a month and about 1500 miles before I had wiring issues with my tailight. Wire was shorting out.😮
I guess a manufacturing error?
Sorry to hear about that. I do like the KTM bikes, and no bike is perfect, but I am glad with my choice of the Tiger 900 GT PRO.@@big_petebear8535
Awesome job by Brandon! I was having a good laugh at his descriptions of his ride. More collaborations please!
Makes me want a Himalayan on sale now for $4,300 😂
When you guys will start telling the real price of those bikes not the sticker price, because it’s not just taxes. It’s thousands of dollars more.
True, but because of substantial differences in regional demand, dealer practices (*cough* markups *cough*) we need a static price metric. As always, you're likely paying thousands more after stealer fees and taxes, but you may also be that guy or gal that gets a great deal and buys it OTD close to MSRP.
With the Suzuki v-storm 650xt,800de, out their. All depends on your height and inseam good choices for new riders or experience riders for the price ! Enjoy the comparison of both bikes thank you
Bought an 800DE for my first ADV bike last weekend. Loving it so far.
In the past I’d say this was a great value for a large % of ADV riders. But my views have changed the past couple years. There are a ton of nice used bikes under $10k if that’s your budget. Personally I’d rather not send more money to support China that’s supporting Russia’s invasion and war crimes. My .02c.
Nice Morini...just like CF Moto 790MT
I bought a used, kitted CB500X and got the Rally Raid Stage 3 kit and spent about the same to get it basically to where the Moto Morini is, perhaps with a better suspension on mine. Still not sure which I’d pick
Resale on your Honda will be much better in my opinion. Can't imagine that there are many people searching marketplace for a Morini.
KTM does not own CFMoto, CFMoto is pretty much a bigger player, they make bikes for many other brands too like Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha in China. They have license to use Kawasaki and KTM engine design. Usually not the latest
Laughing at your friend struggling in the sand... what a bastard! 😂😂
Cool review. The new kid on the block is interesting. Biggest problem for me is that it's impossible to know how good it is until it's been on the road for a few years. Reliability is key, and for now an unknown factor.
Politics, dealer support and quality control aside, is the Moto Morini not just stolen intellectual property?
A lot of Chinese stuff is stolen intellectual property.
Could be partnerships like stated with KtM and CF Moto.
Nah, Kawasaki sold the licence to legally manufacture and sell the old er6/versys parts to CFMOTO, Morini is buying the engine (euro5 adapted) and chasis to them, then they buy the suspension, inyection, tires, brakes, etc to reputable manufacturers like Brembo, Bosch and Kayaba so they only manufacture the italy designed fairings (and seats and stuff) and put it together, they have no i+d costs, but they still got well tested parts.
And don’t CF Moto is the manufacturer of most KTM engines…
Good review as usual, thanks. I'll keep my 22 CB500X, thanks all the same. After 8,400 miles on it, not a single issue. It's Honda, reliable, from a company that builds 18 million bikes a year, with a huge support system, etc. It looks good because it was designed by the Italians, has a lot of features, but the problem is that it is built by the Chinese with their near slave labor costs, so what could go wrong. What is "good" factory support from China, three weeks waiting for a parts to clear customs, I think not. Chinese have a issue of quality control after the initial product is shipped, after which it goes down the toilet. That is why there are half million foreigners in China to oversee the production of their company's products to insure the quality of the material use and manufacturing remains the same. However, it may start the trend of the established companies to start putting cruise control on the lower end bikes.
Hi fixento. Actually, we have our Moto Morini USA Headquarters based in Irvine, CA that has a massive inventory of replacement parts and accessories. And the bikes come with a extraordinary 3 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty. Have a nice day.
You are so right about the skill vs the bike. Thirty-five years ago, I could drag the pegs consistently because I was fresh out of training, and I rode about 362 days a year. Now, I am slow as can be. Maybe it is age.
Funny, clever production- you two bounce off each other well! And, I learnt something as usual...to keep watching you guys.
Thanks for watching!
Brandon is always a great counterpoint addition on dual-ride evaluations. Based on this in-depth on-pavement/off-pavement review, I will definitely consider a Morini. I will definitely not consider a KTM because overall reliability is more important to me than features and hyper-performance.
I’m sorry, do you think a Morini is more reliable than a KTM?
Brandon here: time will only tell, but owning a Versys (which the Morini is heavily derived from) and having thrashed on it, no immediate concerns came up for me on assembly and parts quality - dare I say, it felt very "Japanese."
Ridden some other big name bikes I won't call out over the past 2 years that didn't seem nearly as well built and cost 3x as much, no joke.
Also, owning a newish KTM middle weight, I truly have more confidence in the reliability of this unknown bike compared to recent KTM efforts. It hurts me to say that since the performance envelope is unmatched and I've spent my own hard earned money on it. It will be interesting to see if the durability proves itself and more so, the parts supply and aftermarket farkle network.
You forgot to compare resale value & resale-ability of these two bikes. Frankly, I think the Moto-Morini would be tough to sell even if it was in good condition and not that old. Not so much of a problem with the KTM, I think .
Good luck with warranty support on a small company bike made in China. They'll most likely refuse all warranty claims.
If the morini also had a scotts damper .... ?
Reliability might be a bit differentiator from any KTM as well
Why no mention of the Honda Transalp 750?
because it's not in the US
@@inrptn well me neither... still enjoy the show though 😄
Honda won't give it to us 'Muricans.
I’ve had my 2023 890 R since May, 5400 almost troublefree Central Oregon miles. Except for hard, cold starts and a fast, slow leak on the front tire (new Motoz desert h/t’s fixed that) the new tires did increase the stand over height, stock tires sucked. Watch the kickstand bolt, my backs out even with lock tite. I’m happy w/ the KTM.
"He does not have the professional training I do..." Locks up real wheel because of lack of a rider aid. Not knocking you Ian, but this is exactly what seasoned riders fear with slipper-assist clutch, ABS, Traction control, etc on newer bikes. I love all of what I I just listed and have all of them on my newest bike but I make a point of riding like I don't because other bikes in my fleet don't have them (some or any. depending on the bike). I am a huge fan of learning the basics but also a realist in that few street-legal bikes still offer the "no assist" experience.
Ian, try to adjust the spoiler to almost horisontal. I have found that to be the best position. More wind at throat area but no buffeting. I have Rade Garage tower. It's terrible withot a spoiler in horusontal position. Only slightly tilted up.
Counterintuitive but it works.
/Chris
Where was the off road section filmed in this episode? My son and I want to check it out.
How does the Moto Marini compare with the Kawasaki KLR 650 ABS with a current price of $7199. With rebate?You both did a great job.
The klr is a big single and a dinosaur. It will probably be more reliable in the long run cause it's a Kawasaki with very basic features.
Brandon here: Ian and I have both owned too many KLRs to count. As much as there's a soft spot in my heart for them, I like the Moto Morini better. I'd take the KLR if I was touring the world - ability to cobble together when problems arise might matter most.
I don't like buying the cheapest stuff that is built to a budget....
Hey man can you review the triumph rocket 3
Great comparison. Enjoyed the back and forth aswell as the final sit down with both of you.
The Morini is a great looking bike. It would suit me more than the KTM as i like to cruise off-road and take in the scenery. The dealer network just needs to mature a bit.
Nice test! Thank you both!!! Next time please talk a bit about lights VS night drive and a drop&lift test. Cheers from Tuscan Hills 🎉
Awesome video! Greatly enjoyed this, would love to see more videos like this one
Brandon is right.
Don't forget:
compression 11.3:1 on the MM; 13.5:1 on the K
no wonder it gets pretty hot (laws of physics).
Consider the life-span!
Not everyone can afford the KTM or its repairs, you come across pretty cocky here.
AS all ways very enlightening. I decided on a 23 klr as my last bike. Based largely on three reviews, and having owned a gen 1. You might increase subscription base; if as well as reviewing some less expensive bikes, which you do, that you also include some inexpensive riding gear. Yes we would all like to own the best, but budget rules many of us. Thank you for the work you do.
Id definitely pay more for the KTM... The low end tourqe, suspension, and chassis are worth it if you want to ride offroad. Ive owned 5 KTMs and all have been flawless. My 1090R is going strong after 6 years.
CF Moto has been making engines in China for KTM for years. Now KTM Own CF Moto.
I found that on my 2022 KTM 300 XC TPI that the wheel strip over the spokes was approx. 70% not over the spokes.
So I replaced it with a couple rounds of black heavy duty Gorilla tape as many shops do for dirt bikes. This was on both wheels.
This probably is the issue with the 890's as you mentioned. Maybe all KTM's?
i would like your thoughts on ,better rear shock,fork if needed, and is there options to unlock some ponies, the price for these ,then how does it compare,is it closer in spec vs $ to the ktm
X-cape è una moto fantastica, osservi il mondo tra le curve, da 5500 giri in su si scatena, ci si diverte un sacco, la si spreme fino a 9000 giri per una guida allegra. Sotto i 5500 è una moto tranquilla, esplora, ti porta dove vuoi.. grazie Morini!
Outstanding reviews, Brandon and Ian. Exceptionally unbiased. Sounds like a better adjustable rear shock, slightly more travel with good compression and rebound adjustments on it (Ohlin?) would really help this bike out. Brembo's are another big + for brake feel. The sit down review at the end is where the value in this video lies. Very, very good point and counter points by two very knowledgeable and credible seasoned Adventure bike owners, calling it out like it is, no sugar coating, no BS.
Thanks! 👍
The one thing I don't like about European bikes is the price and availability of the parts and repair costs. OEM parts are subject to import tax.
The KTM is now 12.5 grand in Cycle Trader. That’s in California too, probably even cheaper elsewhere..
$12,900 for the Adventure R
How about the xl750 Transalp vs KTM 890? Upgraded suspension on the Transalp, cruise control option can it beat off the possible unreliable KTM and super sticker price?
Chinese bikes aren’t too bad, but man they ARE heavy heavy for no particular reason.
Only what I would like to add on Morini is slippery clutch
Question for you. A lot is being made and likely rightly so that there are not a lot of dealerships currently and it will take years to change significantly. But…given that this bike uses the Kawasaki engine and has so many components that are very familiar to those dealerships…is it fair or safe to say that you could take the Xcape to a Kawasaki.dealership and have them do anything related to oil changes, value adjustments and other engine relations service. Is too much (perhaps) being made of the lack of dealerships? Love your thoughts here?
Great duo, i like how you roasted friendly each other at start and then after riding, both were humble =)
You should pay $15,700. Which is what my Norden 901 Expedition costs. 😉😁
🏍️💨
Another great video Ian! Appreciate ya! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Can you do a comparison like that with the desert x and the KTM? I would love to see that
Keep Brandon around! That guy is awesome! You guys are like Batman and Robin😂. But I’ll let you decide who is who. Great video as always Ian!
I’m looking at a 890 Adventure R on Saturday, my local dealership has it for 12k so I think I’m getting a pretty good deal.
KTM 390 Adventure has more suspension travel than Morini. It has MTC, Off Road, On Road, and Full Off, it has angel traction control and ABS, as well as Off-Road ABS. Way bigger travel range and at lower price. Sure, it has less guarantee, but we know how reliable they are. Less horsepower, but same torque. TFT display, sure bigger is better, but it doesn't matter if all you see is a speedometer, KTM's TFT is smaller but full of information. And like Morini, KTM 390 Adv parts are cheap. Do I need to mention again: better suspension, price and weight.
It also has just under 8" of ground clearance, stock crash bars, is 130 lbs lighter, and has good (not great) radial brakes even though it's a single disc on the front. On the negative side it has a taller seat height and lower bars (since you definitely sit more on it than in it) but would likely do just as well when off-road. It's in the same class of soft-roader, you just have to keep your speed more reasonable and watch for things that could mash the crappy stock skid plate.
It obviously can't keep up with the 890R, but it's great for bombing around fire roads or dirt touring. No reliability issues or anything really to complain about from a guy who currently has a 390 Adv and 890R. If I had the 390 with the spoked wheels I might have kept it.
What White / Black riding jacket is he wearing ??
Sedici Marco 2 Mesh
What a fun review and comparison with some KTM snob-like and friendly ribbing :)
The X-Cape looks and capability make it seem like a strong challenger and a bit more "adventure/dakar" "adventure-trail" style and capability compared to the more road-style "adventure-touring" bikes like the Versys. If a KLR price was appealing but you want more "adventure" and less "dirt bike" styling plus a smoother engine, this seems like a good choice. Lets be honest, that price range and capabilities is going to make meet the needs of most weekend and commuter riders.
I can’t get over the price of new motorcycles these days. IMO 16K should get you a top of the line bike. It’s midrange these days. Displacement to value isn’t balanced; price increases far too much with the large capacity bikes. HD adds on tons of fees. HD baggers, wings, BMW GS/RT’s are at least as much as I paid for a new MK7 GTI. It’s just wrong.
we get totally shafted on the cost of bikes in Australia. $27K for that KTM 890R. They have the new KTM 500 EXC-F selling for $20K
I think in Europe the escape has Android and apple carplay?
True words. The KTM seems to have problems with reliability. It could be read in very much forums.
KTM 890 Adventure R is not for the novice / beginner rider and should not be compared to the one that is targeted to that segment of drivers. Specs are entirely different and for different driving styles and road types. Given the big differences between the two, you really can expect how much the KTM costs. One important thing is that for the untrained, regular driver, the Morini is just more than enough for a daily commute and will do just find for easy off the road adventures, so, from that point of view, it's not justified paying twice the price for a KTM. For the off-road expert, it's expected that the Morini will simply not be enough
Well said.