The Biltwell + Moto Morini STR Sport Collab

We dropped a $7,300 Moto Morini STR Sport into our workshop and, with minimal chops, turned it into a Biltwell collab that looks as good as it rides.

Words: Harold McGruther | Photos: Geoff Kowalchuk

When you see it IRL, it’s nearly impossible to believe the OTD price for Moto Morini’s competent 0.65-liter twin is around $7,300.

Moto Morini is an Italian motorcycle marque with rich engineering and competition stories to tell, starting way back in 1937. The brand’s halcyon era took root on home soil after WW II, and reached new heights during America’s disco days when the scrappy manufacturer introduced a sophisticated new 4-stroke V-twin with six-speed gearbox.

The 1975 Moto Morini Corsaro’s electronic ignition was a technical masterstroke, but its 80mph top speed was even more impressive given the machine’s diminutive 350cc displacement. Of course, Moto Morini suffered many of the same slings and arrows that hobbled other European bike brands in the waning years of last century, but fresh talent, more money, and a massive injection of manufacturing might from a Chinese automotive partner in 2018 righted the ship. Today Moto Morini does what manufacturers like Harley and Honda can’t or won’t—they build incredibly fun, impressively stylish, shockingly affordable motorcycles.

Hey Kenzie—stop horsing around and let’s go for a ride.

Ah, that’s more like it.

HOW TO SAY “FUN” IN ITALIAN

Moto Morini’s middleweight street carver, the Seiemmezzo STR Sport (see-im-mez-oh, literally “six-and-a-half” in Italian) lives up to its melodious name by cramming a fluid-cooled 650cc parallel twin into a nimble, naked bike platform. Clean lines, comfortable ergonomics, and a stacked spec sheet help the 6-1/2 punch way above its weight functionally and stylistically, even more so when you consider its MSRP: about 7,300 dollars out the door, far less if you can find a 2023 edition in dealer overstock.

Because it’s a sophisticated motorcycle engineered to navigate strict Euro standards for safety, sound, emissions and other technological speedbumps, Davin, Bill, and part-time wrench Rouser Rob kept the radical chopping and bobbing to a minimum. That said, the three surgeons responsible for this sexy Italian’s facelift made several deep cuts well below the skin. A truncated list of the most important cut-offs and bolt-ons are shown in the accompanying sidebar.

Paint by “Hot Dog” Pete Finlan is subtle on first glance, but second, third, and fourth peeks reveal signature tricks by the legend’s hand. The gloss black Moto Morini logo on the matte black tank top is one such surprise.

High-performance details like cast alloy mags and ABS abound on Moto Morini’s naked bike.

Italian styling is evident everywhere you look on the STR Sport.

This middleweight Moto Morini churns out 61 horses and nearly 40 ft. lb. of torque—respectable numbers for a mass-produced 650cc twin.

As on every Biltwell custom over the years, legendary leatherman Duane Ballard crafted the subtle yet beautiful upholstery on the Biltwell + Moto Morini collab.

Bellissima!

Ditto.

KENZIE’S KEEPER

Last winter the Biltwell + Moto Morini STR Sport collab went on the trade show circuit, appearing in public for the first time at the Parts and Labor Motorcycle Show in San Diego early January before heading to Moto Morini’s booth at AIM Expo in Las Vegas. At the latter event nearly 10,000 people ogled Biltwell’s collective handiwork. After serving its purpose on the show circuit, Kenzie Rosenquist, Biltwell’s self-trained web dev superstar, took the reins of her sexy new Italian steed. Kenzie has owned and ridden many motorcycles during her 14 years at Biltwell, but none better looking or more fun to ride than her new STR.

The latest bike in Kenzie’s stable is also the most beautiful.

Here’s a short list of things we did to enhance Moto Morini’s already sexy Italian aesthetic:

√ Paint by Hot Dog

√ Seat by Duane Ballard

√ Ti bolts on exposed engine components

√ Motogadget LED turn signals

√ Cut and fill side panels with brass screen

√ Gold chain

√ CRG mirrors

√ Fresh Pirelli rubber

√ Cerakote wheels, bars, engine covers, and other bits

√ Customize stock exhaust, add a new stainless-steel can

√ Trim fat, remove clutter, peel off reflectors and decals