December is approaching. The last time many riders have thrown a leg over a bike with the intent to actually go somewhere is starting to seem distant. The desire to look through a corner while rolling the throttle has to be replaced with something else (but what?). What out of the saddle activity can medicate us well enough to survive a winter without riding?
Perhaps you are skilled and have the resources to finish a project bike. That would be enormously gratifying and well-timed. Others may plan their trip to Daytona Bike Week, only to return to one more brutal month of snow storms. Is it time to look up museums, factory tours, or just read the ‘Slider every day?
Recently, I had the pleasure of getting a personal tour of the Moto Morini factory. I would have been pleased with a t-shirt purchase & photos of a complete bike at the factory, but as you will read, there were elements of surprise, spontaneity, and genuine hospitality.
The bus dropped us off a bit late. Signora Nanni said that we would only be able to see the bike assembly area and not the engine assembly room due to the European Importer arriving that day. The factory was preparing for that visit and it was essentially closed. In addition, there was no one available that had access to the engine assembly area since we arrived later than expected. I was more than pleased that they would continue to welcome us on a busy day & stoked to see the bike in person since it is not available in North America.
As we were looking at the assembly area, Franco Lambertini was walking through about 20 yards away. Mr. Lambertini has been the chief engineer behind Moto Morini for the last 37 years, since he designed the Moto Morini 3 ½ (a stylish little V-twin 350). The current engine is also his design.
Mrs. Nanni flagged him down. Her action to introduce us was simply awesome, considering the business ahead of them that day. He not only stopped and graciously talked about the bike for a few minutes, but he proceeded to give us a personal tour of the limited access, engine assembly area.
Mr. Lambertini is rightfully proud. The engine is tremendous in function & form, producing 140hp @ 8500 rpm and 90 ft/lbs. of torque (123 Nm). Those are impressive figures for any motorcycle manufacturer, even more impressive for a company of this size.
The engine has a unique 87° “V” configuration. Note the incredible bore of the cylinder while maintaining an ultra slim engine. That is Mr. Lambertini demonstrating the thin engine with a massive piston. Also notice how little wiring and plumbing are visible on this liquid-cooled bike. The steel trellis frame is also impressive, maintaining a clean look (cleaner than a Ducati Monster?).
Signora Nanni & Mr. Lambertini were incredibly gracious hosts. (Thank you very much for your down-to-earth character, wonderful modesty & genuine hospitality.)
Like most of you in North America, I cannot run off to Italy every year. However, there are many motorcycle-related places to go this winter in our part of the world….
• Trev Deeley museum in Vancouver, B.C.
• Glen Curtis museum in Hammondsport, NY
• Barber Motorsports & Confederate Motorcycles in Alabama
• Buell/HD factory tours throughout the mid-west and PA.
• etc.
Those are just a few ideas to get you thinking for those of us here in the U.S. but what are your ideas, in your part of the world, for a motorcycle off season out of saddle fix?
(Send in some great destination ideas to add to the ones Doug listed here and we’ll highlight some of them on The Kneeslider – Paul)
Link: Moto Morini
All photos: Doug Staab
Related: Factory Tours
guitargeek says
Not to pick nits, but you forgot to mention which model you were looking at… Corsaro 1200 Veloce?
(sigh) I wish there was something even remotely as cool as this near where I live. Color me jealous!
Erik says
What’s an off season? We ride year round out here on the Monterey Bay. Nothing like getting up to Skyline Drive above Santa Cruz and heading north to Half Moon Bay along the ridge. Beautiful, sunny and fast, fast, fast (the police do not patrol up there very much).
Doug says
Guitargeek – this tour only witnessed the Corsaro 1200. The Veloce was not available at the time of the visit. I also didn’t see any 9 1/2’s.
Moto Morini has now added a new model, the Granpasso 1200.
I also didn’t mention the friendly staff employed at the factory. Everyone is cross-trained to step in where needed. I very much like the size of this factory. They are producing a high caliber motorcycle within a good price. Their volume suggests you will not see yourself going down the road too often.
The city of Bologna is excellent. It is not as touristy, so the traveler gets a glimpse at everyday Italian life/culture.
——
Erik, Erik, Erik….
todd says
Yep, it’s just time to zip in the liner on my riding jacket.
-todd
Steve Knudsen says
Very cool tour and motorcycles. The pic that caught my eye was the one showing the chain supported by a length of split hose. Now that is a great trick for minimizing mess and controling the chain while removing the rear wheel. I wish I had thought of it.
Doug says
Good eye, Steve.
It was a great experience, and Guitargeek, I also am jealous of the Bolognese…look at what they have in their home town (Lamborghini, Moto Morini, Ducati). Bologna is not far from where Aprilia is located. It is almost like what the turn of the “other” century must have been like when many, smaller motorcycle companies were present.
I’ve been to the Auburn/Cord museum in the midwest, does anyone know if early motorcycle manufacturer museums are around?
Henry says
Doug,
The AMA motorcycle museum may be of interest to you. This is not geared (no pun) specifically to early motorcycles but still should be of interest. They do have theme related displays so depending on when you go they may have something of specific interest to you. The museum is in Pikerington, OH not far outside Columbus.
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/index.asp
BluVida says
Another museum worth noting is”Wheels Through Time” in Maggie Valley,NC (near Asheville,NC). They specialize in American motorcycles, all running machines, in period dioramas. A nice collection,well displayed.
aaron says
I was recently in the trev deely museum again. after moving from the old warehouse style location, they are now located in a purposebuilt site that combines a buell/harley dealership with the collection. the place was nice, but only harleys were on display, and not the full collection (I’d say 33% of what I saw on my last visit?)
hugely disappointed, as I was hoping to get photos of the bimota framed honda 400 four…. I was told they plan to rotate the collection every so often, but I doubt the japanese bikes will show up much.