If you’ve been shopping the adventure (ADV)-bike market lately, you know how fast things change. Manufacturers keep pushing for better power, better electronics, lighter weight—all while trying to hit stricter emissions rules and keep the price in check. The 2026 Moto Morini X-CAPE 700 is one of the new entrants aiming to claim the “sweet-spot” between capability and cost. But is it the best budget ADV bike out now? Let’s dig in.
What’s New with the 2026 X-CAPE 700
First, what you get:
- Engine / Performance: A 693cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin, pushing about 70 hp at 8,500 rpm and ~50.2 ft-lb (≈ 68.1 Nm) torque at 6,500 rpm. That’s up from the previous 650 version, both in power and torque. Motorcycle+3Moto Morini USA+3Motorcycle News+3
- Top speed is claimed around 115 mph. Ultimate Motorcycling+1
- Chassis & Suspension: Steel trellis frame, aluminum swingarm; a 50mm Marzocchi USD fork up front (fully adjustable), 6.9 in travel; KYB rear monoshock, adjustable, ~6.5 in travel. Rider Magazine+2Powersports Business+2
- Wheels / Tires: Tubeless spoke wheels, 19-inch front / 17-inch rear, on Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires. Rider Magazine+2Moto Morini USA+2
- Brakes: Dual 298 mm front discs, single 255 mm rear, Brembo (2-piston) up front, Bosch ABS 9.1 MB (switchable). Powersports Business+1
- Ergonomics & Features: 33.2-33.3 in seat height, wet weight ~514 lb (≈ 233 kg curb), 4.8 gal (≈ 18 L) fuel tank, height-adjustable windscreen, handguards, engine heat shields, centre stand, slipper clutch, etc. Motorcycle+3Rider Magazine+3Moto Morini USA+3
- Tech & Extras: 7-inch full-colour TFT display with Bluetooth (map, music, calls), forward-facing dashcam (smartphone integration), USB-A / USB-C ports, etc. Rider Magazine+2Moto Morini USA+2
And perhaps most importantly, price: in the U.S. the suggested MSRP is $8,299. Moto Morini USA+2Autotrader Motorcycles+2 That puts it solidly in the “affordable ADV” category, especially given what it offers.
What Makes It Really Competitive
Why many folks are excited:
- Power bump without price explosion
The jump from the former 650 version to 693cc brings more torque, more hp, better response, especially in the mid-range. ADV riders want torque for trails, climbing, loaded riding, and the X-CAPE delivers more while keeping the price sensible. Motorcycle News+1 - Good feature set out of the box
Things many other bikes make you pay extra for (centre stand, handguards, height-adjustable screen, dashcam, etc.) are standard here. That reduces upgrade costs, which often kill the budget. - Strong value vs rivals
Some peers (Yamaha Ténéré 700, Aprilia Tuareg 660, V-Strom 800DE etc.) are more expensive. The Morini is in a space where you get almost all the essentials, minus a few premium extras, for less cash. Motorcycle News+2Ultimate Motorcycling+2 - Italian styling & decent warranty
For folks who care about design, presence, look – Morini has that heritage. Also, the warranty is generous: 3 years / unlimited mileage in the US. Moto Morini USA+1
Where It Might Be Less Than Ideal / Trade-Offs
To be fair and balanced, nothing is perfect. Some of the compromises:
- Weight is on the heavier side
At ~514 lb curb, it’s not light. For serious off-road / technical dirt work, lighter bikes often shine. If your riding includes a lot of tight single track, that might be a deterrent. Rider Magazine+2Reddit+2 - Seat height is tall
33.2-33.3 in is high for many riders. Could be fine for tall folks, tougher for shorter ones, especially off pavement or in stop/start terrain. Ground clearance / reach to ground might be a challenge. Rider Magazine+1 - Dealership / support network
Any emerging brand has to prove after-sales service, parts availability, and long-term reliability. Some feedback (especially for the older 650 model) suggest people are happy, but time will tell. Reddit+1 - Not quite top tier in exotic/off-road gear
If your definition of ADV has more extreme terrain, you might want a lighter machine, more suspension travel, more off-road focused wheels/tyres, etc. The X-CAPE 700 sits well within the “dual sport / adventure touring” space rather than “full rally / ultra off-road” for many buyers.
Flip My Cycle – What’s the Relevance?
You asked me to include Flip My Cycle. Just to check: Flip My Cycle is a used motorcycle dealer / marketplace (UK-based), correct? (If you meant something else, clarify and I’ll adjust.)
Assuming that, here’s how Flip My Cycle enters the picture in this budget ADV discussion:
- Used options vs new: One strategy for staying on budget is buying used. Flip My Cycle often has adventure bikes of proven models that are a few years old, possibly lower displacement or earlier versions. If the X-CAPE 700 is new in 2026, its initial availability used will be limited, but one might find used X-CAPE 650s, or similar class bikes, on Flip My Cycle.
- Comparative value: Many riders considering the 2026 X-CAPE 700 will weigh whether to get something used (say, a used Ténéré 700 or V-Strom or older ADV) from a dealer like Flip My Cycle vs getting the new Morini with warranty and modern spec. The advantage of a dealer like Flip My Cycle is inspected used bikes, sometimes warranties, and lower entry price. The trade-off is older tech, potential repair/maintenance, and less cutting-edge features.
- Flip My Cycle vs Brand New: If someone has a budget around, say, £7,000-£9,000 (or equivalent USD) and sees a used model from Flip My Cycle in their class, the decision might come down to how much they value new features (slipper clutch, dashcam, etc.), warranty, and dealer support vs saving money now.
So, Flip My Cycle is relevant as both a benchmark & alternative — does the X-CAPE 700 offer enough new-bike value to beat what you could get used?
So, Is It The Best Budget ADV Bike Right Now?
That depends on exactly what “budget” means to you, and what your priorities are. But from what I see, the 2026 Moto Morini X-CAPE 700 is definitely one of the top contenders. For many riders, it hits the sweet‐spot:
- You get nearly all the essentials for serious adventure / road/off‐road riding.
- You avoid overpaying for premium price tags of bigger name bikes, while still getting modern features.
- If your riding is mixed (paved + gravel / light trails / touring), the X-CAPE 700 is very compelling.
It might not be “best” if your priorities are extreme off-road, minimum weight, or if you are under a certain height and ground reach is critical. Also, some people may prioritize dealer network, parts, or brand reputation more than raw spec; in that case a more established ADV brand might still win out.
Final Take
If I were buying an ADV bike today and my budget was around $8,000 to $9,000, with a wish list including off-road ability, modern tech, decent power, and good comfort for touring, the 2026 Moto Morini X-CAPE 700 would be very high on my shortlist. It might well be the best budget ADV for many riders, especially those who like Italian style, want a strong feature list, and want value.
If you want, I can put together a side-by-side comparison: X-CAPE 700 vs Yamaha Ténéré 700 vs Suzuki V-Strom 800DE vs something you’d find used on Flip My Cycle. That way you can see in your location what the real value is. Do you want me to do that?
Written by Roach, motorcycle enthusiast and passionate rider. Always chasing the latest two-wheel adventures and sharing real-world insights on bikes, gear, and riding culture.
