Moto Morini is one of those names that sounds exotic enough to get your attention, but not quite familiar enough to command instant respect—at least not anymore. Born in Italy, raised on V-twins, and now backed by a Chinese parent company (Zhongneng), the brand’s been quietly reinventing itself in recent years.
Out of all the bikes it has launched since its revival, the X-Cape is probably the most convincing thing they’ve done so far.
On paper, the standard X-Cape is already a solid middleweight ADV. It’s built around a 693cc parallel twin from CFMoto—yes, the same engine used in the 700CL-X and 700MT—and tuned for smooth, approachable performance. In reality, it's a reverse-engineered, slightly tweaked Kawasaki 650cc engine. So yeah, it has that boring 180-degree crankshaft that makes it sound a bit like a lawnmower. Nevertheless, it’s got the ADV styling nailed too: tall windscreen, 19-inch front wheel, upright ergos, and just enough Dakar flair to pass the campsite credibility test.
The price? Way lower than a Ténéré 700 or a V-Strom 800. It’s a spec sheet warrior with serious value appeal.
Now enter the Gold Edition.
It builds on the standard X-Cape by adding tubeless spoked wheels finished in gold anodizing, heated grips and a heated seat, a proper traction control system, and a center stand for good measure. They even throw in a dashcam. This isn’t just a new paint job, it’s a genuinely upgraded package, and one that keeps the price just as attractive.
In Italy, it sells for €7,940, or roughly $8,600 USD. For context, the standard X-Cape 650 already sells for $7,999 in the US, so if the Gold Edition does make its way across the Atlantic, it’s still going to land well under the pricing of most Japanese rivals. That is, provided that tariff drama doesn't swoop in and ruin everything for everyone.
And those rivals? The Yamaha Ténéré 700 starts at $10,999. It’s arguably the king of the dirt-friendly middleweights, with a torquey 270-degree twin and bulletproof reliability. Then there’s the Kawasaki Versys 650 at $10,099, a road-focused tourer with factory hard cases and a reputation for comfort. Of course, these bikes are proven, trusted, and supported by wide dealership networks. But they also come with more conservative designs, fewer gadgets out of the box, and a much steeper entry price.
So the real question is: will the Gold Edition be enough to convince riders to take a chance on the new kid in town?
That depends. If you’re a diehard ADV rider who likes bombing through sand dunes or crossing borders solo, brand familiarity and parts availability probably matter more to you than a set of gold wheels or a heated seat. But if you’re someone who rides mainly on tarmac, dabbles in light trail work, and wants serious bang for your buck, the X-Cape Gold Edition suddenly looks like a very tempting alternative.
Sources: Moto Station, Moto Morini
