Cagiva Explained

45.8036°N 8.7782°W

Cagiva
Founder:Giovanni Castiglioni
Foundation: (Motocycle: 1978)
Location Country:Italy
Industry:Motorcycle manufacturing
Area Served:Worldwide
Key People:Claudio and Gianfranco Castiglioni
Dissolved:2012
Subsid:Ducati (1985 - 1996)
Moto Morini (1987 - 1996)
Husqvarna Motorcycles (1987 - 2007)
Footnotes:slogan: «La moto italiana».
Homepage:www.cagiva.it

Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese, originally producing small metal components. Giovanni's sons, Claudio and Gianfranco Castiglioni, went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. The name is a portmanteau derived from the founder's name 'Giovanni Castiglioni' and the founding location, i.e. Castiglioni Giovanni Varese.

In its history, Cagiva won races in Dakar and Motocross competitions, as well as in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

History

In 1978, Cagiva entered the motorcycle business with two racing motorcycles ridden by Gianfranco Bonera and Marco Lucchinelli. In the same year it bought a factory in Varese's frazione of Schiranna from Aermacchi/AMF-Harley-Davidson and went into motorcycle production. By 1979 the company reached an annual production of 40,000 motorbikes, with eight models powered by two-stroke engines ranging from 125 cc to 350 cc.

Many of the Harley-Davidson models were continued in production as Cagivas, and the off-road motorcycle division was improved and expanded, eventually producing its own race-winning WMX series of motocross motorcycles.In 1983 Cagiva also sourced Ducati four stroke v-twin engines from 350 cc to 1000 cc and entered the big displacement market. Cagiva bought Ducati in 1985, but kept the Ducati brand that was better recognized outside Italy. Ducati motorcycle production continued in Bologna, while the Varese-built Cagiva Ala Azzurra (sold under the name "Alazzurra", "Bluewing") and Elefant were introduced, both featuring Ducati engines.[1]

Cagiva continued with strategic buyouts of Moto Morini and Husqvarna in 1987. In 1991 Cagiva also bought the trademarks for the MV Agusta brand.

In 1996, Cagiva accepted the offer by the Texas Pacific Group and sold the Ducati and Moto Morini brands. In 1999 Cagiva Group was restructured for strategic purposes, with MV Agusta becoming the parent company and main brand indentity; Cagiva along with Husqvarna thus became MV Agusta's subsidiaries.[2]

In 2000, production of the Cagiva Roadster ended. In 2008, Harley-Davidson bought MV Agusta Motor, the parent company of Cagiva, thereby regaining some control of its old Aermacchi factory.

In October 2009, Harley-Davidson informed that it would put Cagiva up for sale. In the August of the following year, Cagiva was bought back by the son of the founder and former owner Claudio Castiglioni.

In 2012, production of new high engine capacity Mitos ended. Increasingly stringent environmental emission requirements and the concentration of resources on MV Agusta's F3 were cited as reasons. The last few Mito SP525s produced were white in colour, and personally signed by MV Agusta CEO Giovanni Castiglioni, thus ended the legacy of the Mito, alongside the end of the Raptors.

Racing

In the early 1980s, Cagiva began to manufacture dirt bikes and started a massive public relations program with the opening of its North American branch. It hired Ron Turner and Duane Summers to test and develop its bikes. Cagiva motocross bikes were characterized by their fast powerful engines and innovative features, such as the MX line that had only one spring in the front forks with one fork controlling rebound and the other compression.

500cc World Championship

At the end of the 1970s the company began campaigning the Grand Prix motorcycle racing circuit. Randy Mamola was its lead rider from 1988 to 1990, and he achieved Cagiva’s first podium result. It would also have some technical assistance from Yamaha. In 1991 it signed former world champion Eddie Lawson to its team. Lawson would claim the company's first victory when he won the 1992 Hungarian Grand Prix. John Kocinski would also win a Grand Prix on a Cagiva GP500 (C594), finishing third in the 1994 world championship.

Dakar Rally

In 1990 and 1994 the Italian rider Edi Orioli won the Dakar Rally on the Ducati-powered Cagiva Elefant.

YearChampionMotorcycle
1990 Edi OrioliElefant 944 Lucky Explorer
1994 Edi OrioliElefant 944 Marathon

Motocross World Championship

YearChampionMotorcycle
1985 Pekka VehkonenCagiva WMX
1986 David StrijbosCagiva WMX

Motocross World World Constructors champions

Italian Speed championship

YearChampionClassMotorcycle
1990 Pierfrancesco ChiliOpen
1991 Marco PapaOpen
1992 Marco PapaOpen
1994 Luca PasiniSupermono

Mini Moke

Cagiva bought BMCs design for the Mini Moke, manufacturing them in Portugal using British built engines from 1990 until 1993. Intending to transfer production to the Bologna factory early in 1995, the tooling for the Moke was transferred to Italy late in 1993, but production never restarted.

Models

Racing motorcycles

ModelEngineYearsNotes Image
HD Cagiva RR250 [3] (1979)
Suzuki/Cagiva 500 GP [4] (1979)
1C2[5] (1980)
2C2[6] (1981)
3C2[7] (1982)
4C3 [8] (1983)
C9[9] (1984)
C10[10] (1985-1986-1987)
C587(1987)
125 GP[11] (1988)
C588(1988)
C589(1989)
C590(1990)
C591(1991)
C592(1992)
C593(1993)
C594(1994)
F4(1995-1996)prototype, Ferrari engine
Mito Mk II SPThe first bike of Valentino Rossi
Elefant 750 Elf-Ligier [12] [13] 748,1 cc, 90° L-twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, desmodromic 2-valves, air-cooled-Oil cooling(1985)
Elefant 850 Lucky Explorer [14] [15]  cc, 90° L-twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, desmodromic 2-valves, air-cooled-Oil cooling(1986-1987)Ducati engine. Cagiva team to Dakar 1987: Hubert Auriol, Alessandro De Petri, Gilles Picard and Franco Gualdi.
Elefant 900 Lucky Explorer  cc, 90° L-twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, desmodromic 2-valves, air-cooled-Oil cooling(1988-1989)Ducati engine. Cagiva team to Dakar 1988: Serge Bacou, Alessandro De Petri, Gilles Picard and Franco Gualdi. Cagiva team to Dakar 1989: Edi Orioli, Alessandro De Petri, Gilles Picard and Claudio Terruzzi.
Elefant 944 Lucky Explorer 943,8 cc, 90° L-twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, desmodromic 2-valves, air-cooled-Oil cooling[16] (1990-1991)Ducati engine. Cagiva team to Dakar 1990: Edi Orioli, Alessandro De Petri and Jordi Arcarons.
Elefant 904 Lucky Explorer  cc, 90° L-twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, desmodromic 2-valves, air-cooled-Oil cooling(1992)Ducati engine. Cagiva team to Paris–Cape Town 1992: Danny Laporte, Jordi Arcarons, Marc Morales, Edi Orioli and Davide Trolli.
Elefant 944 Marathon [17]  cc, 90° L-twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, desmodromic 2-valves, air-cooled-Oil cooling(1994-1995-1996-1997)Ducati engine

Road

ModelEngineYearsNotesImage
SST 125123,15 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine(1975-1985)
SST 175, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
SST 250243 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine(1975-1985)
SST 350341,8 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine(1978-1986)
Alazzurra 350 / 350 GT349 cc, 90° L-twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, desmodromic 2-valves, air-cooled(1984-1985)Ducati engine (Ducati Pantah)
Alazzurra 400 / 400 GT90° L-twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, desmodromic 2-valves, air-cooled(1986)Ducati engine (Ducati Pantah)
Alazzurra 650 / 650 GT649,5 cc, 90° L-twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, desmodromic 2-valves, air-cooled(1984-1986)Ducati engine (Ducati Pantah)
Aletta Oro S1 / S2124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1985-1987)
Blues124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1987-1993)
Freccia C9124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1987)
Freccia C10R / C10 Anniversary124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1988)
Freccia C12R / C12 SP124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1989-1990)
Mito124,63 cc
Mito Mk II124,63 cc
Mito Ev124,63 cc
Mito SP525124,63 cc
SuperCity 125
Roadster 521
Roadster 200
Low Rider 125
Planet124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1997-2003)Mito engine
River 500
River 600
Raptor 125124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(2003-2007)Mito engine
Raptor 650645,5 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, DOHC, 4-valves, liquid cooling(2001-2007)Suzuki engine, (SV650)
V-Raptor 650645,5 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, DOHC, 4-valves, liquid cooling(2001-2004)Suzuki engine, (SV650)
Raptor 1000996 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, DOHC, 4-valves, liquid cooling(2000-2006)Suzuki engine, (TL1000S)
V-Raptor 1000996 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, DOHC, 4-valves, liquid cooling(2000-2006)Suzuki engine, (TL1000S)
Xtra Raptor 1000996 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, DOHC, 4-valves, liquid cooling(2002-2006)Suzuki engine, (TL1000S)

Off road - enduro - trial

ModelEngineYearsNotesImage
WMX 125124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine-liquid cooling(1980-1991)
WMX 200, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
WMX 250, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
WMX 500, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling
WRX 125124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
DG 350341,9 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
TR Cresta 350341,9 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
125 Trial124,5 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
RX 125 Rally124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
RX 250 Rally248,36 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
RX 250248,36 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
MXR 250248,36 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
MXR 500, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine

Adventure - dual sport

ModelEngineYearsNotesImage
SXT 125124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine(1975-1983)
SXT 175, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine
SXT 250243 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine(1975-1985)
SXT 350342,00 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine(1978-1984)
Ala Blu 125124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine(1983-1985)
Ala Blu 250, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine(1983-1985)
Ala Blu 350342,00 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, Air-cooled engine(1983-1985)
Aletta Rossa 125124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1983-1987)
Aletta Rossa 200190,38 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1984-1986)
Ala Rossa 350343 cc, Single, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, 2-valves, Air-cooled engine(1983-1988)
Elefant 125
Elefant2 125
Elefant3 125
124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1984-1990)
Elefant 200190,38 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling
Elefant 350
Elefant 350 Big Belly
349 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, Desmodromic valve, 2-valves, Air-cooled engine(1985-1989)Ducati engine
Elefant 650
Elefant 650 MK2
Elefant 650 MK3
Elefant 650 L.E.
Elefant 650 Frecce Tricolori
Elefant 650 Ligier Export
649,6 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, Desmodromic valve, 2-valves, Air-cooled engine-Oil cooling(1985-1989)Ducati engine
Elefant 750
Elefant 750 bifaro
Elefant 750 AC
Elefant 750 Marathon
748 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, Desmodromic valve, 2-valves, Air-cooled engine-Oil cooling(1987-1998)Ducati engine
Elefant 900 i.e.
Elefant 900 i.e. GT
Elefant 900 AC
Elefant E900
Elefant Marathon 944
Ducati E900 (North American market)
904 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, Desmodromic valve, 2-valves, Air-cooled engine-Oil cooling(1991-1997)Ducati engine
T4 350 E / T4 350 R343 cc, Single, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, 4-valves, Air-cooled engine(1987-1991)
T4 500 E / T4 500 R452 cc, Single, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, 4-valves, Air-cooled engine(1987-1991)
Canyon 500498 cc, Single, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, 4-valves, Air-cooled engine-Oil cooling(1997-2002)
Canyon 600601,4 cc, Single, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, 4-valves, Air-cooled engine-Oil cooling(1995-1998)
Gran Canyon904 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, Desmodromic valve, 2-valves, Air-cooled engine-Oil cooling(1998-2000)Ducati engine
W8124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1991-1995)A cheaper version was subsequently produced until 1999 with an air-cooled thermal unit without an exhaust valve and the piston exclusively of the two-band type, furthermore the silencer was replaced with a painted iron model.
W12343 cc, Single, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, 4-valves, Air-cooled engine(1993-1996)
W16601,41 cc, Single, 4-stroke engine, SOHC, 4-valves, Air-cooled engine(1994-2001)GoldenEye - Pierce Brosnan Cagiva 600 W16 In the pre-title sequence of GoldenEye set in Russia's Arkangel facility, Bond is in trouble. He retrieves a Cagiva motorcycle from a dispatched guard and accelerates down a runway in pursuit of a pilot-less aeroplane - his only escape.
Cruiser124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1987-1989)Freccia C9 engine
Tamanaco124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1988-1991)Freccia C10 engine
N90124,63 cc, Single, Two-stroke engine, Reed valve, liquid cooling(1990-1991)Mito engine
Navigator 1000996 cc, 90° V-twin, 4-stroke engine, DOHC, 4-valves, liquid cooling(2000-2005)Suzuki engine, (TL1000S)

Moped and Scooter

See also

External links


Notes and References

  1. http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/2008-01-01/Cagiva-Alazzurra.aspx 1985-1987 Cagiva Alazzurra
  2. Web site: Cagiva Recent Facts . Cagiva . 2008-02-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080215054421/http://www.cagiva.it/_vti_g6_att.aspx?rpstry=174_ . 2008-02-15 .
  3. https://www.registrostoricocagiva.it/modelli-cagiva/item/48-hd-cagiva-rr250.html HD CAGIVA RR250
  4. https://www.registrostoricocagiva.it/modelli-cagiva/item/37-suzuki-cagiva-500-gp.html SUZUKI/CAGIVA 500 GP
  5. https://www.registrostoricocagiva.it/modelli-cagiva/item/58-cagiva-1c2-500-gp.html CAGIVA 1C2 500 GP
  6. https://www.registrostoricocagiva.it/modelli-cagiva/item/68-cagiva-2c2-500-gp.html CAGIVA 2C2 500 GP
  7. https://www.registrostoricocagiva.it/modelli-cagiva/item/69-cagiva-3c2-500-gp.html CAGIVA 3C2 500 GP
  8. https://www.registrostoricocagiva.it/modelli-cagiva/item/73-cagiva-4c3-c7-500-gp.html CAGIVA 4C3 (C7) 500 gp
  9. https://www.registrostoricocagiva.it/modelli-cagiva/item/84-cagiva-c9-500-gp.html CAGIVA C9 500 GP
  10. https://www.registrostoricocagiva.it/modelli-cagiva/item/99-cagiva-c10v-85-500-gp.html CAGIVA C10V 85 500 GP
  11. https://www.italiaonroad.it/2021/11/02/cagiva-125-la-casa-varesina-nel-motomondiale-non-solo-nella-classe-500/ CAGIVA 125, la casa varesina nel Motomondiale non solo nella classe 500
  12. https://www.registrostoricocagiva.it/modelli-cagiva/item/100-cagiva-750-elf-ligier-official-proto.html CAGIVA 750 ELF LIGIER " Official Proto "
  13. http://www.parisdakar.it/en/dakar-1985-cagiva-elefant-750-secondo-marinoni/ Dakar 1985 | La Cagiva Elefant, 1st 750 according to Giampaolo Marinoni
  14. http://www.parisdakar.it/en/la-cagiva-elefant-di-giampaolo-marinoni/ The Cagiva Elefant of Giampaolo Marinoni
  15. http://www.parisdakar.it/en/cagiva-elefant-850-1987/ Cagiva Elefant 850 1987
  16. http://www.cagivaelefant.it/pages/scheda_moto.asp?ID1=40 Elefant Paris–Dakar ‘90
  17. http://www.parisdakar.it/en/cagiva-elefant-marathon-dakar-1994/ Cagiva elephant Marathon Dakar 1994