Motorcycle specifications MoriniGRANPASSO 1200 2019 Style in exercise

What future.... and even what present for the Morini Gran Passo?!? Although this incisive trail bike is still in the catalog, it's so little talked about that you'd almost forget it's there. The small Italian manufacturer prefers to focus on its roadsters with a strong character. That said, when it first came out, this machine knew how to get noticed. In the large trail segment, there are the maxi-trail-GTs, the adventurers, those who attempt versatility. And then there's the GranPasso. Light, powerful, expressive, bordering on sporty, this machine assumes its difference. Some may still fall for it, but how does it go beyond recent homologation standards? Morini has yet to announce any Euro4 validation. Here's your chance to find out; before the end of the line or a major evolution? After all, the latest changes are long overdue...

The Granpasso has been playing a double game since 2014: its equipment is getting richer, but the bill is high. That year, the Italian trail bike gradually weighed itself down by a bundle of euros. What's happened?
Let's take a look at what's changed on board. Of course, there's a selection of carbon parts that can be painted at the customer's request: chain guard, front and rear mudguards, fairing sides. New metal passenger grips are fitted at the rear. Not quite enough to justify the price fever. The factory is certainly facing new production costs. As a result, the low price and the 2013 improvements (already quite a few carbon parts, a new tension regulator, a new anti-dribble clutch for 50% less lever effort, an improved seat, better quality paintwork) dissolve into economic questioning.

Above all, the Italian trail bike shows off its dynamic potential in the midst of the trail war. The BMW R 1200 GS dominates the market and sets the benchmark. Numerous machines with different engine types are competing against it. For its part, Morini has opted for a sportier approach without forgetting the road/trail aspect.
A wide, comfort-inspiring saddle, long-travel suspension, tubeless spoked rims with mixed tires, a windscreen with a certain protective disposition, a 25-liter fuel tank and an engine cowl: the Gran Passo seems ready for touring, and even a bit of trail riding. The optional suitcases, GPS, heated grips, etc. won't make you shy away from the miles.

But an Italian car is above all distinguished by its temperament. And sportiness and character have not been sidelined on the Morini Trail. Its chiseled, aggressive build has none of the gentility of a Versys 1000 or Super-T. The styling (from the Marabese Design studio) is daring, even disturbing with its lenticular headlights - a matter of taste - and does what it's supposed to do: get noticed. Its Star Trek-esque posterior, embellished with a raised pot with 3 openings, also plays with the eye. But beware: visual appeal is only a prelude to the promised performance. The 1200 engine is the same as the one powering the Corsaro, a spirited roadster in its own right. At 118 hp, we're already dealing with something serious. The character is more.... wild.
Aside from their travel, the suspensions are more reminiscent of a hypersport than a trail bike: side-mounted Öhlins shock absorbers with adjustable compression, preload, rebound and height, and chunky 50 mm-diameter inverted forks -> this Italian trail bike promises to be highly efficient. The braking system is wiser, more suited to this type of machine: 2-piston Brembo calipers bite into 2 front 298 mm-diameter discs, but controlled by a radial pump.

The Gran Passo loves a good thrashing, and won't really want to be out and about with the Crosstourer or Tiger Explorer. It'd much rather take on the Multistrada, 1200 Dorsoduro and 1130 Tre-K.

M.B - manufacturer's photos