The new adventure bike that can beat Kawasaki and Honda at their own game

The 400-500cc adventure bike segment is getting hotter every year. And not without reason, because these bikes really nail the definition of an ‘adventure’ bike. They’re light on their feet, promise usable performance, and are cheap to repair if your adventure doesn’t go to plan. The entry fee is also open to the general public, which you can’t say for premium middleweight and full-size ADVs.

The latest entrant in this area comes from Chinese-owned Italian bicycle manufacturer Moto Morini. The ADV, called Vettore 450, ticks all the boxes to take on popular Japanese names, whether it’s quality underpinnings, a punchy engine or modern features. All the while, it promises an aggressive MSRP.

Powered by a parallel twin engine with a 270 degree crankshaft

Kawasaki and Honda have stuck with regular parallel-twin engines with 180-degree crankshafts for their 400-500cc ADVs. But Moto Morini has chosen the new approach with its ADV. You get a 450cc parallel twin engine with a 270-degree crankshaft. This is said to help increase the power on offer, mimicking the power delivery of V-twin engines. That, along with the 11.5:1 compression ratio and liquid cooling, helps the Vettore 450 produce 44.5 horsepower and 32 pound-feet.

There’s a lot of low-end punch present

These numbers are comparable to the Honda NX500, but a few ponies less than the Kawasaki KLE500. However, the low-end performance is stronger on the Moto Morini. Its peak power and torque come in at 8,000 rpm and 6,250 rpm respectively, both lower in the rev range than the Japanese duo. Moto Morini also claims an official top speed of 96 miles per hour when you hold the bike in sixth gear.

The Vettore 450 offers the right off-road capabilities

The Vettore 450 is Moto Morini’s second adventure bike in the modern era. And the brand has tried to take a different approach to the X-Cape 700. So instead of opting for a balanced 19/17 inch combination, you get a truly off-road-ready 21 inch front wheel and an 18 inch rear wheel. This is closer to true dual-sport bikes than ADVs, indicating the off-road focus of the bike. The hoops have a 320mm front and 255mm rear disc to save speed.

It’s the same story with the suspension. The 41mm KYB upside-down forks have 8.2 inches of travel, while the rear KYB monoshock has 7.5 inches of travel, both more than the KLE and NX500. Additionally, you can adjust the preload, compression and rebound damping at the top, while the rebound and rebound damping can be adjusted at the rear. Everything is tied together by a tubular steel chassis and an aluminum swingarm.

The seat height and ground clearance are also impressive

As for dimensions, Moto Morini has managed to keep the seat height down to an accessible 33.1 inches. That’s just 0.3 inches more than the NX500, while it’s a significant 1.2 inches less than the KLE500. This is also not at the expense of ground clearance, which is 8.5 inches. What is somewhat disappointing is the dry weight of 419 pounds (the KLE weighs 425 pounds ready to use).

Modern features abound

We’re already seeing Moto Morini pack its bikes with quality features, so it’s only fair that this is no different for the newcomer. The cockpit houses a class-leading 6-inch TFT instrument cluster, complete with smartphone connectivity to show you turn-by-turn navigation and phone notifications. The display also lets you switch between traction control and switchable ABS, although you don’t get any riding modes.

Apart from this, there are also useful conveniences. The windshield is adjustable, the tank has mounting points for tank bag straps, there are two USB ports and the handlebar has 6 positions to suit your style. Last but not least, a center stand is included as standard, an extremely rare and underrated feature in this segment.

The design is unique, but not to everyone’s taste

While there’s no denying that the features are impressive, the design isn’t the same. The Vettore does its own thing here, with a unique bug-eyed front fascia. This is flanked by a motocross-style fender and muscular side fairings. Then lies a minimalist fuel tank that dives into the two-piece saddle. Since design is subjective, we’ll let you decide whether the Vettore qualifies as handsome or not.

The Vettore 450 sells for less than $6,500

Finally, let’s talk about the prices. Moto Morini has priced the Vettore 450 at $6,499. This isn’t as aggressive as the pricing we’ve come to expect from Moto Morini, but it still undercuts its direct rivals. The NX500 sits $400 higher, while the KLE500 is much closer at just $100 more. However, you should know that the base KLE is not nearly as loaded as the Moto Morini. If you want a similar package, you’ll have to spend $7,499 for the KLE SE ABS. All the while, the KTM 390 Adventure R leads the price war, priced at $7,699.

Moto Morini Vettore 450 vs Rivals