Potential new owner

[Thatch]

Hello, first time poster here looking to learn as much as I can about the modern Morini bikes. I have been smitten for some time with the 1200 Scrambler and am actively searching for one to purchase now. Admittedly I am a bit ignorant of some of the details of the bike but hopefully there are some learned folks here that can fill in a few blanks for me.

I'm a bit of a global vagrant, born in the US, spent half my life wandering the globe with stints in Italy, England, France and I am currently in Germany. I guess my first question would be towards finding out the best way to track down a new or next to new Scrambler and if there are any particular issues I should be concerned about. I'd also like to know about baggage options on the Scrambler as I will eventually be taking it on a trip or two. This will be a second bike for me as I currently have a Triumph Thunderbird that I think will be complimented nicely by a Scrambler.

I'm also curious to know if there are any taller riders here that have a Scrambler (I suppose all the 1200 MMs are similar size wise) as I am rather tall and was wondering about potential issues that I might have to address. These bikes aren't exactly in convenient locations to study these issues in person.

Hopefully this list isn't too long (and it's in the right forum) I have a huge number of questions and tried to keep them down to few as possible to start.... I probably failed at that though

Thanks in advance.

[Emmohaswheelsagain]

Hi Thatch,

Welcome to the forum.
In answer to your various questions you will find it difficult to secure first hand experience from Scrambler owners here in the Uk. Very few were exported to the Uk as the majority found there way to other European countries. I believe 3x our importer have sold all there modern Morini's and North Leicester Motorcycles have sold all theirs as well. I know of one new Scrambler in black for £7,999.00 here in Louth at LMT Motorcycles.
As for its attributes it depends what you want it for. If you have your eye on touring then the luggage options and general improved fueling of the Gran Passo would be your best option. There are a number of riders on this forum better placed than me to tell you about the GP but for those long in the leg they are a better option. I own a 9 1/2 and this shares many parts with the Scrambler. The soft luggage option available with the 9 1/2 would fit the scrambler however this has limited capacity and is only really viable when travelling alone. That said it would benefit you to try these different models yourself. They all share the wonderful Morini V twin engine and above all this is why most of us put up with the small faults we come across. I'm sure your Morini is out there so have fun finding it and enjoy it even more when riding it.

Regards

Paul

[RHThomas]

Hello Thatch,

I have a Scrambler and absolutely love it, if the DVLA stats are to be believed, one of five on UK roads.
I am on the shorter side at 5'6'' and had to wind off a bit of preload to get in contact with the ground as the seat height is a bit higher than the other models I think, I still find it tall but being used to the taller seat height of off road bikes it's not a problem. The bars are wide and quite high, I think they offered a riser kit too.

My previous road bike was a Monster 1000 and the Scrambler is everything the Monster wasn't,
it's more comfortable, rides much better over our rough, pot hole riddled roads, goes 160 miles to reserve, the mirrors work and don't vibrate. The engine is of course laden with torque. I am totally happy with this bike.

I got a rack from 3X when I bought the bike and have done a couple of weekends camping (no pillion) and use the Kriega US packs and can get 70 litres of luggage on neatly with no problem.
The rack fits both the scrambler and the 91/2 I think.

As Paul suggests, if you plan to do a longer trips with pillion then you may find the Gran Passo more suitable, but if it's the looks of the scrambler that do it for you then the Scrambler is not an impractical bike.

I'd be glad to answer any more questions you have on the Scrambler.

Cheers,
Robin

[RHThomas]

Here's my Scrambler with luggage:

[butchamphib]

Hi Hatch
Here is my two penny worth I have both scrambler and granpasso and do a lot of miles I am six foot tall and 20 stone if riding solo the scrambler is the most comfortable even with the footrests in there higher position, the granpasso engine is smoother running but most people wouldn`t notice. the slipper clutch is better on granpasso, but for pillion granpasso is best. riding experiance on both is second to none and i have just sold a 1050 tiger which is renound for being a good ride, talking if tiger the seat on tiger is more comfortable than both.
Regards
Butch

[Thatch]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the information. I've not had much experience with the Morini but I've coveting one for a while now. I just finally decided that they aren't going to get any more plentiful so if I want one I better act now.

I'd agree that the Granpasso is probably the more practical bike but there's little practical about riding a motorcycle anyway, much less buying one from a dead brand (fingers crossed it doesn't stay that way, but it is what it is for now) and I've thought for a while now that the black and white Morini Scrambler was one of the sexiest bikes available. What better reason is there to get a bike than being passionate about it? The combination of sportiness and mild off-road ability should nicely compliment my tbird as well. I'll be riding solo most often and have the bigger Triumph for any 2 up trips I might want to take.

Because of my legal situation I have to do some research, but I think I'll have no problems in buying out of country and getting a bike registered. Which is good, as Italy (for obvious reasons) has a number of new Scramblers available for a pretty good price.

So are there particular options/accessories I should try and find a bike with that are hard to pick up afterwards? Namely, the sump guard and headlight grill, are there outlets for buying these bits still? I've not seen them offered anywhere yet.

Also, since all the modern Morinis use the same motor, is it just a tuning issue that makes the different from bike to bike or do they have different cams and such? Are the majority of parts interchangable? Oh, and most importantly, I've not seen any major or reoccurring faults on these bikes and they seem to have a very good reputation, but are there any 'gotchas' with these bikes? The tbird is a great bike but most folks have a coolant leak at some point, and easy fix but an annoyance just the same. What's the story with these Morinis?

Thanks again guys.