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.

 

 

 

[Throttled]

First 500 miles. It is a handful in the wet and for the first time, on any vehicle, I have activated the ABS. The massive back brake and tyre is easy to overcome grip on a wet, greasy road. Roundabouts are negotiated in 1st gear. Even with the sissy bar, it kicks up a lot of muck, so I have ordered a mudguard off Aliexpress. I have also ordered an MRA universal screen. How does anyone ride a bike with no screen? Do they stick to 50mph maximum?

[S-Westerly]

2 hours ago, Throttled said:

First 500 miles. It is a handful in the wet and for the first time, on any vehicle, I have activated the ABS. The massive back brake and tyre is easy to overcome grip on a wet, greasy road. Roundabouts are negotiated in 1st gear. Even with the sissy bar, it kicks up a lot of muck, so I have ordered a mudguard off Aliexpress. I have also ordered an MRA universal screen. How does anyone ride a bike with no screen? Do they stick to 50mph maximum?

What tyres has it got? You may find things improve with an alternative tyre.

[Throttled]

Metzeler Cruisetec. The 240 wide rear tyre limits alternatives. 

[S-Westerly]

2 hours ago, Throttled said:

Metzeler Cruisetec. The 240 wide rear tyre limits alternatives. 

Metzelers are good tyres too. Mind you 240 is pretty enormous. 

[bud]

The large rear tyre will always dominate the handling. Especially in the wet where a smaller tyre will cut through the water more easily.

I'm surprised too, there isn't more accessories available. They are missing out there.

You do get used to riding a naked bike. But it tend to keep your speed down below a hundred. When I used to let mates try the hornet they used to moan about the wind. After owning it for a while I never really noticed. 

I could sit at 90 on the motorway no problem.

[Throttled]

16 hours ago, bud said:

The large rear tyre will always dominate the handling. Especially in the wet where a smaller tyre will cut through the water more easily.

I'm surprised too, there isn't more accessories available. They are missing out there.

You do get used to riding a naked bike. But it tend to keep your speed down below a hundred. When I used to let mates try the hornet they used to moan about the wind. After owning it for a while I never really noticed. 

I could sit at 90 on the motorway no problem.

 You can tuck and brace yourself better on a bike like the Hornet. I am like a full sail, with only my hands to take the pressure. 

[bud]

Yes it's similar to a Harley v rod. Anything above 70 gets really annoying.

[Throttled]

As a rough calculation, I am getting low 40s, mpg. Hopefully a screen will make me more aerodynamic and that will improve the mpg. The Versys 1000 averaged 50mpg. 

[RideWithStyles]

I got used to a naked bike,  going above 90 for long periods used to be a bit of endurance but fine.

Never had a problem with Metz, even when I had abrand new M7rr in the cold, wet and foggy morning while using a  greasy motorway to get to oulton park in Oct.
give the tire a little chance to break in as you’re basically still breaking the bike in too.

what pressures the dealer set high for safety sake but id agree at running them to the book of 36.

What suspension adjustments do you have?  And what are the set too?

[Throttled]

My comment in the OP about tyre pressures was partly wrong. When cold they are at the correct 36 PSI pressure, but as they warm up the pressure rises 3 or 4 PSI. The tyres are over the 100 miles break in period and I think it is their huge width that is causing the issues. I said in the OP that the bike is not as cumbersome as expected, but I now find that it can be cumbersome, at low speed turns. That is when it can run wide, as I cannot get the bike to tilt as quickly as I would like. I can now anticipate that and start turns earlier. 

 

The front suspension has no adjustment, the rear is buried inside the bike, so I cannot see much and access is nigh on impossible. There is nothing in the manual about adjustments.