Motorcycle Apex

The Cagiva Raptor 125 was introduced by the Italian Motorcycle company Cagiva in 2005. It is the smallest bike in the Raptor segment. As regards to styling, the Raptor 125 bears resemblance to its two big brothers, the Raptor 650 and the Raptor 1000.

Weighing 125 kg, the Raptor possesses a 125 cc single cylinder liquid cooled two stroke engine mounted on an aluminum frame. The engine delivers an output of 30 BHP @ 10000 rpm. Transmission is through a 6-speed gearbox and the maximum speed achieved is 90 mph.

The design concepts of the headlamp, the redesigned passenger seat and the handle bar are also derived from the bigger Raptors.

The Raptor 125 is equipped with a new exhaust system that has an extractable silencer. A new linkage for the rear suspension makes the weight distribution more concentrated on the front end. The fuel capacity of the tank is 14 liters.

At the EICMA motorcycle show in 2005, Cagiva launched a modified version of the Cagiva Mito called the Cagiva SP 525. It was launched as a homage to the Cagiva 500 (C 594) racing bike. The modifications encompass the engine and other areas.

Still possessing the 125 cc liquid cooled two-stroke single cylinder engine as the Cagiva Mito, the SP525 now churns out power in excess of 37 BHP.

The 2008 SP 525 has a 28 mm Dell’Orto VHST Carburettor. The front and rear fairings have been modified to resemble the Cagiva 500. The SP 525 comes with the new 8-spoke forged aluminum wheels. The overall weight too has been reduced.

Cagiva has developed another version of the SP 525, the SP525 Road Bike. It is to be noted that the SP 525 is not road-legal. The exterior looks of the SP525 Road Bike are quite similar to the SP 525. The engine however has undergone some modifications. It is fitted with a new Electronic Carburetion System which governs the fuel-air, oil-mix and ignition, enabling it to pass through tougher Euro 3 emission regulations.

Cagiva was established in 1978, in the city of Varese in northen Italy. The name is an acronym for Castiglione Giovanni and Varese. They went into motorcycle production after they bought a factory from AMF- Harley Davidson in Schiranna. The company touched an annual production of 40,000 bikes by 1979.

Cagiva bought Ducati in 1985 and the Ducati name was retained as it was well known outside Italy. Subsequently, the ‘Alazzurra’ and the ‘Elefant’ were introduced, both possessing Ducati powerplants. Cagiva later went on to buy Moto Morini (1985) and the Husqvarna in 1987. In 1996, Ducati and the Moto Morini name were sold to the Texas Pacific Group.

The trademarks of the MV Augusta group was bought by Cagiva in 1991. The first new MV Augusta was introduced in 1997. The new bikes were 4-cylinder 750 cc sports machines. 1999 saw the Cagiva group being restructured and MV Agusta become the main brand comprising Cagiva and Husqvarna. 2004 saw the introduction of a 1000cc bike.

In 2005, MV Agusta introduced the Tamburini 1000, named after its creator Massimo Tamburini, who previously worked for Moto Guzzi, and most recently Ducati. Cycle World and Australian Motorcycle News magazine rated it the ‘best sports bike in the world’.

The MV Agusta F4 refined the innovative design of the world renowned Ducati 916. The MV Agusta has been highly acclaimed as one of the best handling motorcycles ever produced.

The evolution of CAGIVA logo:

1978 - In the spring of 1978 the Elephant, lucky symbol Giovanni Castiglioni chose for CAGIVA shortly after the Second World War, enters the motorbike world superimposed on the N.1 with the Italian colours inherited from the Aermacchi-HD.

1985 - The Elephant takes all the attention in the new logo removing the Italian colours.

1987-1994 - A new version is introduced highlighting the racing activities by putting a chequered flag on the Elephant’s back to differentiate the Racing Division from the normal production.

2000 - The Crimson centre designs a new logo based on the Elephant to better match the new models like Raptor, V-Raptor and Navigator.