This is the 250 cruiser of today. Morbidelli "C252V" Test Ride Report: Combining the premium feel of a big bike with the agility of a middleweight!

The brand "MORBIDELLI," which PROT Corporation began introducing domestically this year. The first model is the cruiser-style "C252V." Despite its low & long body and aesthetically pleasing V-twin engine, it has a displacement of 250cc. It's great that everyone can afford this sense of luxury. This time, we will deliver a test ride report of the C252V.

⚫︎Photos: Junya Yamauchi

Italian Prestigious Brand Regenerated in a New Form

C252V (2026) A new mid-size cruiser from Morbidelli. Its impressive size and style, which don't look like a 250cc, are its appeal. The price is 759,000 yen.

The Morbidelli brand was originally a manufacturer based in Pesaro, Italy, known for its success in road racing in the 1970s. Since 2021, China's Qianjiang Group has inherited the name and has been launching scooters and small-displacement models for the European market. In recent years, they have also started developing high-spec models, including liter-class adventure bikes and cruisers.

The C252V, which has now landed in Japan from Morbidelli, is a mid-size cruiser that the company currently excels at. The engine is a water-cooled 249cc V-twin, producing 26 PS/9000 rpm, which is standard for its class. However, it is equipped with air-cooled-style fins, covers with extensive chrome plating, and a powerful dual exhaust system. It also features traction control for electronic control, and the adoption of a belt drive is a key point.

The wheelbase is 1490mm, comparable to large motorcycles. It achieves a low and long silhouette with a low-slung riding position.

No detail is overlooked, with beautiful machined wheels, an engine showcasing its fins, and inverted front forks as standard equipment. It offers a level of luxury beyond its class.

However, its most significant feature is its large body. At first glance, its imposing presence doesn't suggest a 250cc class, stemming from its overall length exceeding 2 meters, similar to liter-class cruisers. Yet, it features small 16-inch wheels with fat tires, creating a cohesive factory custom look. The cockpit is simple, with a flat drag bar and a single round digital meter, giving it a stylish rather than purely classical appearance. It lacks the excessive ornamentation one might expect from a flashy machine with a strong presence, instead exuding a rugged atmosphere, which is characteristic of the brand.

Overall, the sense of luxury is surprisingly high. The finish of the details, such as the machined surfaces of the wheels and the seat with its fine stitching, is on par with big bikes, diminishing the impression of it being an entry-level model typical of the 250cc class. In fact, it fulfills more than enough of the essential elements for riders who aspire to own a cruiser.

Although it has an air-cooled appearance, the engine is a water-cooled V-twin. It also features pushrod-style detailing. It produces 26 PS/9000 rpm.

The drive is belt-driven, ensuring extremely quiet operation. This can be considered a detail that emphasizes its cruiser nature.

Both front and rear wheels are 16 inches. The machined wheels are classic and have a strong presence, a common feature on custom cruisers.

The meter is a full-color digital single unit. With flat bar handlebars and bar-end mirrors, the riding position is extremely low.

Engine Power is Class-Appropriate with a Pleasant Sound; Ride with Ease in a Relaxed Position

Let's try straddling the C252V. The ease of putting your feet down is as expected from its appearance. The seat is comfortable but not unnecessarily wide, and the covers don't get in the way, making for a straightforward foot-down experience. The seat height is 690mm, the same as the Honda Rebel, another 250cc cruiser. I am 165cm tall, and there is ample room in my knees, so riders shorter than me should also feel secure. When lifting the bike, its low center of gravity makes it easy to handle, not feeling its 200kg weight.

I am 165cm tall. The riding position is surprisingly natural, and the forward-mounted footpegs are not too far away.

The seat height is 690mm, the same as the Honda Rebel. While the foot-down feel is similar, their individual characteristics are completely different.

Although the seat height is the same as the Rebel, the riding position is completely different. The C252V features forward controls, with the footpegs positioned quite far forward. The pedals are also high, resulting in a leaned-back posture. Combined with the wide drag bar-style handlebars, this forces an open-chested, low-slung riding position. This style feels very much like a sport cruiser, but the distance to the footpegs is moderate, so it doesn't result in an awkward posture with legs stretched out or the lower back excessively bent.

When you start riding, the acceleration and power are as expected for a 250cc, but the feeling of acceleration with pleasant vibrations is enjoyable. Thanks to the long silencer, the exhaust sound is subdued, but the low-frequency resonance is clearly transmitted to the rider, allowing you to feel it distinctly even when cruising at a relaxed pace. The handling, which can be a concern on cruisers, is surprisingly straightforward. It has a turning radius that doesn't betray its long wheelbase, and the Taiwanese Cheng Shin tires offer good grip. Despite its heavy weight, it allows for nimble changes of direction, demonstrating ease of handling appropriate for its class.

The Morbidelli C252 combines a striking appearance with controllable handling. There will undoubtedly be riders who are drawn to its unique, substantial style, which is arguably the only one in the current 250cc cruiser class.

The moderate vibration and light weight of the bike provide sufficient performance. The long silencer makes the sound sound a bit subdued.

MORBIDELLI C252V (2026) Main Specifications

・Overall Length x Overall Width x Overall Height: 2,230 x 865 x 1,090mm
・Wheelbase: 1,490mm
・Minimum Ground Clearance: 173mm
・Seat Height: 690mm
・Curb Weight: 200kg
・Engine: Water-cooled 4-stroke SOHC 4-valve V-twin 249cc
・Maximum Output: 19kW [26PS] / 9,000rpm
・Maximum Torque: 25N・m [2.5kgf・m] / 5,500rpm
・Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.5L
・Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh return
・Brake Type (F/R): Hydraulic single disc / Hydraulic single disc
・Tire Size (F/R): 130/90-16 M/C 67P / 150/80-16 M/C 71P
・Retail Price: 759,000 yen