Dual-Sport Moto Morinis

This page is concerned with Moto Morini's Kanguro, Camel, and Coguaro models, manufactured from 1981 through 1989 or perhaps a little later (they were still being sold as new bikes for several years after production ceased). There are also a few odd-balls. These were early examples of the now-popular dual-sport class of motorcycles and they are still quite enjoyable, reliable, economical, and effective all-around motorcycles.

Not sure what a Coguaro is?

Here's the prettiest Camel I've ever seen.

...and if you want to see a nice picture of a Kangaroo (Kanguro).

Moto Morini became interested in this type of motorcycle in the late 1970s, with the rise of popular interest in long-distance off-road motorcycle races. Always keen for competition, the factory based a racer on their 500cc roadster and won a class victory in the 1980 Paris-Dakar race. They also won a Gold Medal in the 1981 ISDE on Elba. Racing success encouraged them to market a production version called the Camel in 1981, which had nothing in common with the roadster except the basic engine. This name was considered undignified in the UK market, where it was sold as the Sahara. A 350cc version called the Kanguro was produced from 1982-87, with it's own development sequence. The Camel went through a major redesign in 1985 and continued through 1987. The final variant of the 350 and 500cc dual-sport models were both called Coguaro, manufactured from 1988-89.

The initial purpose of this page is to try to tie down the evolution of the different models in pictures. I'm still learning about these bikes and I welcome your information and photographs to try to fill out this story. I've collected these pictures from various sources and in most cases I can't give proper credit. If any of these are your pictures, I'll be glad to give you credit (and hopefully get some additional information).

In the following section, the photo links will open into a new browser window.

Camel

Camel 500

1981-1983?. Used the same engine as the 500 roadster, with a 6-speed transmission. Detuned for low-end torque. Drums brakes front and rear. Twin-shock rear suspension, round-tube frame. Kickstart only. 137 kg (300 lb) dry weight. Handsome traditional styling, round headlight. Notorious for high (35 inch) seat height and mixed 6- and 12-volt electrics.
Four photos of a very clean 1982 model: 1 2 3 4
Two photos of another one, at a show: 1 2

Camel 500 Mk 2

1983? - 1984. Major restyling, lower suspension that was better suited to road use, still a round headlight with square plastic surround.
A promotional photo

Camel 501 X2

1985-86. Major upgrade to the 501 engine: 507cc from 71 mm bore, Nikasil coated cylinders, L5 camshaft, 11.5:1 compression ratio, 43 HP at 8500 RPM. Monoshock rear suspension, new square-tube chassis, front and rear disc brakes. Square headlight.
Nine photos of one manufactured in March 1985 (VIN# ZLMAJOL5432FB3268): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Four photos of another 1985 model: 1 2 3 4
I'm not sure if this is a 1985 or '86. With non-standard front fender, missing turn-signals: 1 2 3 4
Patrick Wallace's bike: 1 2
A 1985 model: 1
Another one: 1

Camel 501 X3

1987. Electric start. Finally, 12-volt electrics for everything. Further restyling, with new side panels, a fairing and hand protectors, 21-liter Paris-Dakar-styled gas tank.
Pictures of one that I had two chances to buy, first at a local shop, then through eBay. I should have grabbed it. It had a factory racing exhaust system, plus the original one, plus two tanks. VIN ZLMAE5433HB003145: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
This is the one I did buy, VIN 3161, only 16 units after the one above. It wasn't in as good a shape as #3145, but came with some very important emotional connections, as it belonged to my friend Nick Meadows before he died in a plane crash in the Sudan in 2003, while directing a food relief program. I took many of these to show what a Camel 501 looks like under the skin. WARNING, THESE ARE HIGH-RES SHOTS, about 400-500 KB each: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Here are three pictures from a wonderful 2000-mile trip around Colorado in the summer of 2004, on which Richard Piller of Cape Town, South Africa, rode my Camel. That's Richard in the first photo: 1 2 3
And this is my all-time favorite Camel picture, because it shows my Moto Morini Camel 501 X3 and a real camel in the background. This was taken near Dolores, Colorado on that 2004 tour: Camel with Camel
A Camel 501 X3 and an early 3-1/2 Strada on tour.

Kanguro

Here's a nice website dedicated exclusively to the Kanguro!

X

1982-?. Used the 344cc engine and 6-speed gearbox of the 3-1/2 roadster. Tube frame, square-section swingarm, drum brakes. First Moto Morini to use a monoshock rear suspension.
Photos: 1 2 3

X1

230mm front disc brake.
Photo: 1 2 3 4

X2

Square-tube frame
Photos: 1 2 3

X3

Large Paris-Dakar-style gas tank like the 1987 Camel 501. Electric start. Rear disc brake. Hand protectors and fairing.
Photos: 1 2 3 4

Coguaro

1988-1989, but bikes were still being sold for several years after production ceased. Styling inspired by Honda Transalp: a lovely combination gas-tank-fairing, twin headlights, more substantial skid plate than the Camel 501. Both 350 and 501 versions were made, and it's alleged that the 501 is the rarer of the two. Used a Kokusan 200W alternator.
Photos of the 350: 1 2 3
Photos of the 501: 1 2 3

Odd-balls

This appears to be a Morini set up for desert racing, but what is it? Note the dual-spring rear suspension. Is this one of the early factory racers? And who is the guy?
A Camel-based supermotard, supposedly a 501 engine but the frame is round-tube and twin-shock absorber, so should be a Camel 500.

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