Morbidelli Timeless 1200: Chinese Retro Twin Becomes a Brixton Clone with a New Badge

• 1,222 cc inline twin producing 83 hp / 61 kW and 108 Nm
• Curb weight 235 kg, classic steel double-cradle frame
• Six-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty in China

The Italian brand name Morbidelli has resurfaced in China with a new model whose silhouette will immediately look familiar to many motorcyclists. The Timeless 1200 is a retro scrambler powered by a large inline twin that draws its visual inspiration from classics like the Triumph Bonneville. A closer look reveals, however, that the machine is not a proprietary design but is already available under two other brand names.

Specifications and Key Data of the Morbidelli Timeless 1200

The Timeless 1200 is powered by a liquid-cooled inline twin displacing 1,222 cc. The engine produces 83 hp (61 kW) at 6,550 rpm and delivers a maximum torque of 108 Nm (approximately 79.6 lb-ft) at 3,100 rpm. This twin is housed in a conventional steel double-cradle frame. The front end features a standard telescopic fork, while two shock absorbers handle suspension duties at the rear. This combination of steel frame, telescopic fork, and twin shocks creates the intended retro aesthetic. Morbidelli lists the curb weight at 235 kg (approximately 518 lbs).

The Same Scrambler with Three Different Badges

The Timeless 1200’s specifications are not new but can be found in identical form on two other models. In Europe, the machine has been available for some time as the Brixton Cromwell 1200 X, while in China it rolls off the production line as the Gaokin GK1200. All three variants are manufactured by the Chinese producer Gaokin, with only the brand emblems and minor details differing between them.

That Morbidelli specifically turns to a Gaokin model fits an already established pattern. The V-twin cruiser Morbidelli C1000V is based on the Gaokin Thor 1000, and the adventure tourer T1000VX shares its technology with the Gaokin Hawk 1000. The Timeless 1200 thus seamlessly joins the existing model strategy of rebranding existing Gaokin platforms under the Morbidelli name.

The Corporate Web Behind Morbidelli

Behind the Morbidelli brand lies a complex network of Chinese manufacturers. Morbidelli itself belongs to Keeway, a subsidiary of Qianjiang. Qianjiang, in turn, is the parent company of other well-known brands such as QJMotor and Benelli and ranks among the largest and fastest-growing motorcycle manufacturers in China. This structure traces back to the Geely Group, which holds Qianjiang in its portfolio.

The Morbidelli brand itself has a storied history. Originally, Morbidelli was an Italian racing outfit that won world championship titles in motorcycle Grand Prix racing during the 1970s. The name gained broader recognition through an 850 cc V8 prototype that the Italian marque unveiled in the late 1990s with a price tag of $45,000 (approximately €43,000). This machine featured Brembo brakes, a high-revving 32-valve V8 engine capable of reaching 11,000 rpm, and weighed just around 440 lbs (approximately 200 kg) dry. It remained a prototype, however.

After years of silence, the brand resurfaced in 2022 initially under the acronym MBP as a Keeway subsidiary. At EICMA, the company presented the 997 cc V-twin cruiser C1002V, followed shortly after by the adventure tourer T1002V. In 2024, the company officially rebranded as Morbidelli. Today, the models are available through several hundred dealerships across Europe. Development takes place at least partially in Pesaro, Italy, while engineering and final assembly come from China.

Warranty and Pricing in China

A notable detail of the Chinese market launch is the warranty commitment. Morbidelli offers a six-year or 100,000-kilometer (approximately 62,137-mile) warranty on the Timeless 1200. This pledge is apparently intended to counter reservations that potential customers may have regarding parts availability and long-term support for Chinese-manufactured motorcycles.

In terms of pricing, the Timeless 1200 positions itself in the Chinese domestic market well below its classic Western counterparts. According to the manufacturer, it costs only about one-third of a Triumph Bonneville T120 there. Whether and when the Timeless 1200 will become available under this name in other markets has not been officially confirmed. Given that the machine benefits from the Keeway and Morbidelli distribution network, a later export is considered likely, however.

Analysis: Chinese Manufacturers Target the Classic Segment

The Timeless 1200 is yet another example of how Chinese manufacturers are increasingly entering the classic displacement segment that was long reserved for European and Japanese brands. With the 1,222 cc inline twin, retro design, and competitive pricing, Morbidelli is targeting buyers seeking a visual alternative to models like the Triumph Bonneville or Scrambler 1200 but expecting a significantly lower price point. The ambiguity about which badge ends up on the tank has meanwhile become part of the business model, where a shared technical platform is marketed in parallel under multiple brand names.

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