What do all liter-plus adventure bikes these days have in common? Well, quite a lot actually.
They’re all packing powerful engines, way more tech than anybody asked for, and price tags that could land you in generational debt. Bikes like the new BMW R 1300 GS and Ducati Multistrada can easily fetch upwards of $30,000, and quite frankly, only a very small number of folks have the means to buy these top-tier machines.
Luckily, we live in a modern world. And this modern world affords us options—a lot of options. And a good number of these options come from new motorcycle manufacturers looking to make an impact on the global industry.
Nowhere in the world was this more evident than at EICMA, where hundreds of brands flocked to Milan to showcase what they had in store for the industry. And one of these brands was Morbidelli, a company we’ve talked about in the past. Previously known as MBP or Moto Bologna Passione, Morbidelli is owned by Keeway, a subsidiary of Chinese motorcycle giant Qianjiang, also known as QJ Motor. So yeah, despite having an Italian-sounding name, as well as some Italian lineage, Morbidelli is well and truly Chinese.
And if there’s one thing the Chinese know how to do, it’s to make cheap bikes that are all about giving established players a run for their money. In Morbidelli’s case, it’s challenging the big-bore ADV segment with the 2025 T1002VX, a rugged adventure-tourer that seems too good to be true.
You see, on paper, the T1002VX seems to occupy the Goldilocks zone of performance. It’s rocking a 997cc 80-degree V-Twin engine pumping out 89 ponies and 67 pound-feet of torque. It gets a fully adjustable suspension package from KYB, and ABS-equipped brakes from Brembo subsidiary J.Juan. And of course, in true big adventure bike fashion, it’s filled to the brim with all the tech you could ask for. I’m talking about mobile phone connectivity, real-time tracking, maintenance alerts, multiple ride modes, and even a heated seat and grips.
But here’s the kicker, it’s priced at just £8,699 in the UK, or the equivalent of $11,000 USD. Much cheaper than any of the big Japanese ADV bikes, let alone the European ones. Heck, its price tag is closer to middleweight ADV bikes like the Suzuki V-Strom 800, Yamaha Tenere 700, and even the CFMoto Ibex 800.
As such, the 2025 Morbidelli T1002VX just might be the cheapest liter-class adventure bike on the market today.
And it looks the part, too. It gets distinct European styling with angular bodywork and an athletic, almost enduro-like feel. Morbidelli knows that V-Twin-powered bikes aren’t as common as they used to be, and is flaunting the T1002VX’s V-Twin engine in all its glory. Plus, the X-shaped DRLs look pretty badass, too.
But remember, as is the case with all the new bikes flooding the market today, the T1002VX is essentially a brand-new machine from a manufacturer that’s known for mass-producing motorcycles a la copy-paste. So no, this thing doesn’t have any track record whatsoever, at least not yet. So I’d exercise caution when considering bikes like this for my own.
But what do you think? Do bikes like the Morbidelli T1002VX have a place in your garage? More importantly, could it bring its A-game to the big boys of the ADV scene? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Morbidelli
