history
Moto Morini is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded by Alfonso Morini in 1937. In the first years of existence, Morini manufactured bikes with the help of Mario Mazzetti. all of them being released the MM brand.
However, the two partners split up in 1937, Morini starting manufacturing 350cc and 500cc three wheels vehicles under the Moto Morini brand. The most successful Moto Morini model at that time was the M610, a motorcycle which was discontinued once the second World War started.
In 1943, the Moto Morini plant was damaged by the bombs, but the company had the resources to recover it by 1946 when it also managed to launch a new motorcycle, dubbed the T125. One year later a sport version of the T125 was launched, while in 1948 Moto Morini recorded the first win in motorsports came after Raffaele Alberti won the Italian Championship for Lightweight Motorcycles riding a 125 Competition.
Because the company's motorcycles were previously produced in Bologna, in 1956 Moto Morini decided to move to a larger factory at Via Bergami. One of the most important milestones in the company's history took place in 1969 when Alfonso Morini dies at the age of 71 and Gabriella Morini, his daughter, becomes the manager.
The first 72 degrees V-Twin motorcycles from Moto Morini were released in the early 1970s, being designed by Franco Lamberti, Gino and Franco Marchesini. However, the company started experiencing problems during the 1980s, so Gabriella Morini decided to see the firm to the Cagiva Group in 1987.
Under Cagiva's management, Moto Morini's problems continued so the Via Bergami production facility was closed in 1993. Three years later, Cagiva sold Ducati and Moto Morini to TPG.Under the new management, several new bikes were released, including the the Corsaro 1200 naked bike and the Corsaro Veloce 1200.
expand