As excited as I was a week ago to be back on my bike, a 2023 Moto Morini 650 SCR, it was short lived. As of last Saturday, my beloved Moto Morini is becoming more problematic that I care to think about. It is as if, after 3 thousand miles, my bike is just not wanting to ride anymore. I spent about a week trouble shooting all possibilities that I could source from Reddit, Google, and Moto Morini forums. I filled up the gas tank, checked the battery, inspected the air filter and air box, made sure all the cables and wiring were fit, and after a few tests rides my Moto Morini is scheduled for a shop appointment at Charleston Triumph. What is positive about my shop appointment is my new parts; new seat, new exhaust, and new handlebar risers have arrived at Charleston Triumph. I honestly feel that with these accessories added to my Moto Morini, and inspection into the mysterious troubles of my bike by pro mechanics, I hopefully will be able to ride my bike home after the appointment. At least that is my feeling.

So, what is the issue or issues Rolf? I am happy you asked. The main problem is with the engine stalling during rides and while idling. In short, the bike starts up, which is good, will run for a few minutes then die. In some cases, during my test rides, I would actually be riding along and when I made a turn, in first gear, the bike would quit on me. Lucky for me, I have chosen my neighborhood as my test ride territory, so I don’t have a bike dying on me while riding down a busy road. That would be a bit unpleasant. Compounding the problems, is I believe that catalytic converter is bad. Essentially the engine is having trouble breathing. Which in a way leads to engine failure. I am very familiar with a faulty catalytic converter. My old car, a 2009 Nissan Cube, had a bad catalytic converter and boy did that create an unpleasant ride. Again, as luck would have it, the new exhaust I ordered, and will be installed on my Moto Morini will replace the catalytic converter. This I hope leads to solution. But I am also thinking about trading in my Moto Morini.

During the past month of troubles with the MM, a salesperson from Charleston Triumph reached out to me and suggested that maybe I would like to trade in my Moto Morini for a green 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900. I was flushed with excitement about this opportunity. I even went so far as filling out some paperwork to see if I qualify for financing the Speed Twin. A bike that fits my personally quite well. And as a rode my Moto Morini last night, with its jerky ride, engine stalls, and lack of willingness to ride, I told myself I love this bike. To trade-in this Moto Morini now would be heartbreaking. Yet the persistent troubles over the last month have led me to believe that maybe I own a lemon. Maybe these problems won’t go away after the upgrades. Maybe this Moto Morini is just cursed.

I watched a commercial for the Viking cruise line. While I don’t see myself as taking a cruise on a Viking ship anytime soon, the founder did offer some advice. What we don’t have enough of is time he said. That is very true. While I hope that my 2023 Moto Morini will get fixed and things will improve, there is something honest about the situation that maybe this bike is a lemon. And I don’t really have more time for lemons. It might be better to cut my loses and get myself a new bike. I am thinking of the color green might be in my future.

Rolf