The tourist model is flanked by the sports version. Power increases from 4.5 HP to 5.7 HP, speed from 75 to 80 km/h. The first 125 models top their rivals for quality, reliability and comfort (even from its debut it is equipped with rear suspension). Production ends in 1954. With the two-stroke 125 starts the first race competitions and the first victories are achieved. Umberto Mascetti starts off his brilliant career with this small motorcycle which thrills for the first time, especially in 1948 when winning several races in the second tier Italian championship. The race version has 4 gears instead of 3 and arrives at 8/9 HP. Speed is around 120 km/h.

The 175 Settebello debuts, the top of the range of the Bologna firm, much sought after also by those who want to compete in races, especially long distance. This model, developed with competition in mind, achieved its maximum level of development in 1962 with the 22 HP at 10.500 rpm “Aste Corte” version.

Alfonso Morini decides that it is now the moment to take part with continuity in the world speed championship and the new project for a 250 cc GP bike is developed by Nerio Biavati, the ex-right hand man of the technician Alfonso Drusiani in the corse Mondial department. Entrusted to Mendogni it will go on to win the Shell Cup in Imola in 1959, but later it will not be able to compete with the MVs. The demise of the 2-stroke 125 causes Moto Morini to fill the gap in the range in the more commercial market. Rejecting the hypothesis of a reduced 175 single-cylinder, a new more modern and rational product is chosen, in such a way as to reduce the number of components and to so limit production costs. Hence the creation of the nippy 100 – an engine size still adequate at the time – which will serve as a base two years later for the birth of the Corsaro 125.

Exports to the USA begin through the importer John Berti. New models are created with different specifications from those sold in Italy and they even change name: for example the Corsarino becomes the Pirate and Twister, the Corsaro, always depending on the version is called the Thunder Chief, Jaguar, and Hurricane.

Even if the first true open road 125 was born in 1962, deriving from the road model from which it distinguishes itself by its few details, we need to wait until 1965 to see the first real Corsaro off road in action. From 1966 the victories start: in the 125 category Moto Morini wins the two-day Bologna and the Bergamo valleys events and the Road Race trophy. Moreover, Franco Dall’Ara conquers a gold medal in the international six-day event in Sweden, racing as a private competitor. Still in 1966, next to the 125 comes the 150 (142.6 cc), followed one year later by the 100 cc (98.1 cc) when all the motorcycles are equipped with a new closed duplex cradle frame with a vertical printed sheet metal tube, built by the specialist Ronzani, together with new suspensions and an engine with modified power supply and transmission. This Corsaro allows Dossena, Collina and Gritti to win the Italian championships in the 100, 125 and 175 categories to which are added 4 gold medals in the six-days and 3 victories in the Bologna two-days event. During 1968 the engine is further developed. The larger engine size single-cylinder increases to 153.1 cc in order to have greater torque and power. Success continues both in Italy and abroad. The six-days race is held in San Pellegrino, 19 Moto Morini bikes are entered and 15 arrive at the finishing line winning 7 gold medals, 3 silver and 3 bronze. Rottigni wins the Bologna two-days event and the National Championship in the 100 category, while Collina takes the 125 class. In the winter of 1968-1969 the Ronzani frame is strengthened. The restyling includes its appearance with a different fuel tank (rapidly detachable), supplied with knee pads and a tool box panel, while the engine has a 5-speed gear change. Already in 1968 comes the refined Bonazzi & Gambetta fork including, and this is exclusive, breather cap valve vents. Among the 1969 results we recall the victories in the Italian Championship 100 category of Signorelli and Gritti in the 175. In 1970 Gritti again wins in the 175 and Oldrati in the 125. Moreover in the six-days in Spain the three Italian teams (one in the trophy and two in the vase) all race with Morini bikes, with updated engines, Ceriani forks and on 6 motorbikes the experimental Verlicchi frames. Of the 22 Corsaro entered, 19 finish the race with 16 gold medals, 2 silver and 1 bronze. These examples are the base of the new and final 1971 version which will, with the 125, be put alongside the 165 (163.9 cc) substituting the 160.