This Retro Scrambler-Styled New Street Bike Is So Good-Looking and Approachable It Hurts

A heritage brand builds on its entry-level bona fides with this blend of old-school aesthetics and modern rider-friendly features.

Close-up of a black Morbidelli motorcycle engine with visible bolts and hoses.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published January 28, 2026

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Updated January 28, 2026

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Last summer, QJ Motor-owned legacy Italian moto brand Morbidelli made a memorable splash with a gorgeous small-displacement streetfighter, the F125.

At the time, I mused whether it might be simply the perfect entry-level street motorcycle.

Gray and black Morbidelli NR125X motorcycle with orange accents on a black background. — The NR125X comes in three tank colorways: white, green and gray (shown), which leads the pack in terms of looks.

Now it has a worthy challenger in the form of a new bike from … the very same brand.

The NR125X offers many of the same compelling traits, this time wrapped in a retro scrambler package that happens to be one of the best-looking 125cc rides I’ve ever seen.

Scramble on

The new bike should prove especially attractive to newer riders, thanks to fun throwback vibes — note the old-school round (LED) headlight and mirrors — that instantly make it feel more welcoming than the somewhat aggro looks of the F125.

This effect is more than skin deep, as a number of touches have functional benefits. The upright stance, together with the long one-piece saddle, lends itself to a more relaxed riding position.

Round motorcycle headlight with "MORBIDELLI" branding and amber turn signals on black fork tubes. — The NR in the name presumably stands for Naked Retro, an assertion supported by this big, round headlight.

The high-mounted fender and dual-purpose CST tires on spoked wheels, meanwhile, make traversing dirt or gravel while keeping the shiny side up a more realistic proposition.

Adding to the approachability are the seat height and curb weight. The specs — 31.3 inches and 315 pounds, respectively — mean newer and smaller riders should be able to swing a leg over and balance on one foot if needed during starts and stops.

The upright stance and long single-piece seat make the bike relaxed and comfortable for a range of riders, with taller folks having the option to slide back to ease up on the knees.

Morbidelli

Under the hood, the liquid-cooled 125 cc DOHC engine makes 14.5 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and peak torque of 8.5 ft-lbs at 8,000 rpm.

That won’t blow anyone’s hair back, but it’s plenty for zipping through the urban landscape and leaving gridlock behind, with a low center of gravity lending agility to low-speed maneuvers in close quarters.

Rear view of a gray motorcycle with illuminated orange turn signals and a red tail light against a black background. — Full LED lighting is a contemporary touch with minimal effect on the looks and maximum impact on safety.

Small engine aside, the NR125X still operates like any traditional big boy bike, courtesy of a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch boosting control during downshifts.

Braking is competent thanks to a 260mm front floating disc with 2-piston caliper and 220mm rear disc with single-piston caliper, complemented by front-wheel ABS.

Digital motorcycle dashboard displaying speed and indicators with black handlebars and Morbidelli branding. — The LCD dash display a bit more data than a classic gauge might, but curmudgeons can take comfort in the fact that it won’t try to pair with your phone.

Helping you ride out the bumps is a 33mm inverted telescopic fork offering more than five inches of travel, plus a rear preload-adjustable Pro-Link shock absorber.

Rounding things out is perhaps the most noticeable nod to modernity, a wide, streamlined LCD dashboard displaying such bare necessities as speed, fuel level, gear position and trip info.

Availability and pricing

This is why it hurts. No details have been released yet, but based on Morbidelli’s track record, distribution is likely to be limited to South America and Europe.

Based on the initial pricing of the F125 — £2,499, roughly $3,444 USD — it would likely come in under $4,000 if it ever reached our shores. Fingers crossed.

Matte gray and black motorcycle with knobby tires and red accent lines on the fuel tank and seat.

Morbidelli NR125X

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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