Motorcycle specifications Morini3 1/2 Sport 2025 Tonio, are you there?

Tonio Mélégas, featured character in the Joe Bar Team comic strip, rides a Moto-Morini 3 1/2. Small-displacement motorcycles were commonplace in the 70s, and with the A2 license now available, historic manufacturers like Morini have the means to resurrect a few machines, like this famous 3 1/2 originally launched in 1974!

contemporary neo-retro

When it comes to styling, some motorcycles opt for a faithful replica of the old. This Morini "Tremezzo" picks up where Franco Lambertini left off in his 70's design, but the lines are more than just classic: we appreciate the modernization of the original model to create a bike that's very much of its time. Wherever you look, you'll want to linger: note the beautifully cut front fender, the long fuel tank (15 L) and the seat that hugs the curves. Incidentally, the shape of this saddle means it won't be particularly welcoming to a hypothetical passenger. The engine, with its V2 architecture, also contributes to this aesthetic.

The half-guidons (above the fork crown) set the machine's slightly sporty tone. This ambience is also reflected in the position of the controls, which are set back slightly, and the black tint of many components, rather than chrome. The round speedo is in fact a TFT screen, and the lights are LED. The speedometer display is pleasing, with the speedometer on the left (also in the center), the tachometer and gear indicator on the right, and two gauges: fuel and engine temperature. Equipped with a telephone connection, this display should also have a mirrored GPS guidance system, information to be confirmed at a later date.

With a seat height of 780 mm, the 3 1/2 will be an accessible and relatively easy bike, with a kerb weight announced at under 165 kg.

Technically, the bike is based on a double-cradle steel frame, with an aluminum swingarm. Suspension consists of a 43 mm-diameter inverted front fork with 120 mm travel. Rear suspension is a cantilever monoshock with the same 120 mm travel. Preload adjustment.

The (very serious) front braking system uses a single 300 mm disc, clamped by a four-piston radial caliper. The rear is backed up by a 255 mm disc with double-piston caliper. Dual-channel ABS ensures your safety. The wheels are 17 inches in diameter, with 110 tyres at the front and 150 at the rear, which should enhance the bike's handling and speed.

like its predecessor, the 3 1/2 opts for a V-Twin engine

A relatively rare architecture in this segment, the Morini opts for a 60° open-twin engine. With a displacement of 350.3 cm3, it delivers 31 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm and maximum power of 32.6 HP at 8,500 rpm. You'll have to work hard to get the best out of it. In the final analysis, the engine's mechanics are in keeping with the bike's sporting spirit. Fortunately, the twin-cylinder architecture should ensure fairly good engine availability for low-speed evolutions. This engine is already Euro5+ approved, no doubt thanks in no small part to its generous but not unsightly exhaust system.

triumph Speed 400 in the sights

So, what can we learn from this Moto-Morini 3 1/2? First of all, it's a pretty little machine, but behind its looks lie real intentions. The equipment appears to be of high quality (as does the braking power), and the engine boasts a top speed of 150 kph. This is anything but a purely utilitarian machine. Logically, we think of the Triumph Speed 400 as the scarecrow of fun little machines that don't plunge into manga-style design. If Moto-Morini can keep the price under 6,000 euros, or even 5,500 euros, it could well be a winner...

M.B. - Manufacturer's photos