does need a little encouragement at times .
The exhaust note is good , through the elegant tailpipe which , with its small size , allows mounting from either side of the bike .
On the road , first impressions of the Moto Morini X-Cape are good . The overall height is manageable , in fact perfect for the mid-sized rider . Feet ground well , with sole almost flat , while the overall ergonomics are well proportioned , bars and pegs located for a comfortable yet positive riding position that sees all day riding a possibility .
The factory set position is well appointed especially when riding off-road , the raised par position is comfortable when standing and allows the rider to position the tank between their legs .
In motion the bike is well balanced and stable even fully loaded with hardcase panniers attached . The plastics protect the rider from wind when on higher speed open roads , added to by the adjustable windshield which deflects enough wind that the rider almost needs no helmet shield protection from the wind .
At around 4,000rpm the X-Cape travels at 90 kilometres per hour , wind it up to 4,800rpm and you ’ ll reach 110kph , another thousand and the X-Cape will comfortably sit on 130 .
Take the X-Cape into the mountains and the welldesigned frame provides stability that promotes confidence , hills , curves , and hairpins are no problem , even fully loaded and two-up . The confidence in the corners no doubtably helped by the 19 ” / 17 ” wheel combination that sits somewhere between the agility of a sportsbike and the rough terrain capable 21 ” front wheels of true off-road bikes .
TRAVERSE 66