Morbidelli MBP C1002V

[Throttled]

The Morbidelli MBP C1002V is designed in Bologna, Italy, put together in China (where it is the Gaokin Thor), using parts from Japanese and European makers, GKN, J Juan, Metzeler and Bosch and it is part of the Benelli, Keway group. It was originally the MBP, until Keway bought the Morbidelli name. It was a small brand that made racing bikes and then a V8 and then went out of business. I think the C is for cruiser and the V is for V twin, but it is 997cc, so where the 1002 comes from, I have no idea. I am going to go out on a limb and say it is the best looking bike I have ever seen, the end. It avoids being a look-a-like, but it sits with the Diavel, Rocket and Benelli C502, as a modern European style cruiser.

 

 

According to the owner's manual and Morbidelli website, it has 87hp and 65 lbs-ft, but according to the importers MotoGB, it has 95hp and 75 lbs-ft. The discrepancy may be due to the rider modes, normal and sport.

 

https://www.morbidelli.com/int-en/products/c1002v

https://www.morbidelli.co.uk/model/2024-morbidelli-c1002v-1720

 

I am still running it in, so I have not tried sport. So far, I have managed one 100 mile run and initial impressions are;

 

- the seat and seating position is not immediately impressive, but it was comfortable for the whole run. The running boards allow for a lot of leg movement.

- the mirrors are small, but do their job.

- the ride is to the harsher end, but the tyre pressures were set by the dealer at 40 psi and the manual suggests that is the rear pressure for when there is a pillion. I will adjust to the manual's recommended 36 psi for both.

- the controls are simple to use, and the cruise control is effective if a little jerky.

- the gear change is very clunky and positive, with a long throw from 1st to 2nd. Neutral was easy to find.

- the headlight is distinctive, with two LEDs for dipped and two for main, split with a line as a running light. It is effective. 

- the TFT display is clear, but I miss not having an outside temperature reading.

- the brakes are very good, the back brake being the most powerful I have ever encountered on a motorbike. It is very stable under braking.

- handling is good, with a ton of dry weather grip from the huge 240/40VR18 rear tyre. It is not as cumbersome to flip from turn to turn as I was expecting.

- there is a tiny tool kit and no other space, under the seat, which needs a hex key and the key to remove.

- there is no user forum as yet, but there is a reasonably active facebook site.

- there are no official accessories at all! I thought accessories were a big moneymaker, so that is a surprise. There are a couple of backrests and pannier rails, along with generic screens, being sold online. I got a backrest from Italy, which attracted £60 on import duty and VAT.