Cagiva
Encyclopedia
Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle
manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese
, originally producing small metal components. It went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. The name is a portmanteau derived from the founder and the founding location, i.e. CAstiglioni GIovanni VArese.
In 1999 for strategic purposes, the company got restructured. MV Agusta
Motor became the main brand comprising Cagiva and Husqvarna. The company currently operates under the name MV Agusta Motor S.p.A.
.
In 1978 Cagiva entered the motorcycle business with two racing motorcycles ridden by Gianfranco Bonera and Marco Lucchinelli
. In the same year they bought a factory in Schiranna, Varese
from AMF-Harley Davidson
and went into motorcycle production. By 1979 the company reached an annual production of 40,000 motorbikes, with eight models with 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 their own race-winning WMX series of moto-cross 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 name that was better recognized outside Italy. Ducati motorcycle production continued in Bologna
, while the Varese
-built Cagiva Ala Azzurra (sold under the name "Alazzurra") and Elefant were introduced, both featuring Ducati engines.
Cagiva continued with strategic buyouts of Moto Morini
in 1985 and Husqvarna
in 1987. In 1991 Cagiva also bought the trademarks for the MV Agusta
brand.
In 1996, the Ducati and Moto Morini brands were sold to Texas Pacific Group
.
In 1999, for strategic purposes, the company was restructured. MV Agusta Motor become the main brand comprising Cagiva and Husqvarna.
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 their old Aermacchi factory.
In October 2009, Harley-Davidson informed that it will put Cagiva on sale.
In the early 1980s Cagiva began to manufacture dirt bikes and started a massive public relations program with the opening of their North American branch. They hired Ron Turner and Duane Summers to test and develop their 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 dampening and the other spring.
At the end of the 1970s the company began campaigning the Grand Prix motorcycle racing
circuit. Randy Mamola
was their lead rider from 1988 to 1990, and he achieved Cagiva’s first podium result. They would also have some technical assistance from Yamaha
. In 1991
they signed former world champion Eddie Lawson
to their team. Lawson would claim their 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.
In 1990 and 1994 the Italian rider Edi Orioli
won the famed Dakar Rally
on the Ducati-powered Cagiva Elefant.
Cagiva bought BMC
s 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.
With Suzuki
engine:
With Ducati engine:
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese
Varese
Varese is a town and comune in north-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 55 km north of Milan.It is the capital of the Province of Varese. The hinterland or urban part of the city is called Varesotto.- Geography :...
, originally producing small metal components. It went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. The name is a portmanteau derived from the founder and the founding location, i.e. CAstiglioni GIovanni VArese.
In 1999 for strategic purposes, the company got restructured. MV Agusta
MV Agusta
MV Agusta is a motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1945 near Milan in Cascina Costa, Italy. The company began as an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company formed by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923. The Count died in 1927, leaving the company in the hands of his wife and sons, Domenico, Vincenzo,...
Motor became the main brand comprising Cagiva and Husqvarna. The company currently operates under the name MV Agusta Motor S.p.A.
MV Agusta
MV Agusta is a motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1945 near Milan in Cascina Costa, Italy. The company began as an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company formed by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923. The Count died in 1927, leaving the company in the hands of his wife and sons, Domenico, Vincenzo,...
.
History
Marco Lucchinelli
Marco Lucchinelli is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. In 1981 he won the FIM 500cc World Championship.Lucchinelli began his road racing career in 1975 on a Laverda in endurance racing...
. In the same year they bought a factory in Schiranna, Varese
Varese
Varese is a town and comune in north-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 55 km north of Milan.It is the capital of the Province of Varese. The hinterland or urban part of the city is called Varesotto.- Geography :...
from AMF-Harley Davidson
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson , often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression...
and went into motorcycle production. By 1979 the company reached an annual production of 40,000 motorbikes, with eight models with 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 their own race-winning WMX series of moto-cross 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
Ducati Motor Holding
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. is a motorcycle manufacturer in Bologna, Italy. It produces motorcycles for both road use and motorcycle racing.- History :...
in 1985, but kept the Ducati name that was better recognized outside Italy. Ducati motorcycle production continued in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, while the Varese
Varese
Varese is a town and comune in north-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 55 km north of Milan.It is the capital of the Province of Varese. The hinterland or urban part of the city is called Varesotto.- Geography :...
-built Cagiva Ala Azzurra (sold under the name "Alazzurra") and Elefant were introduced, both featuring Ducati engines.
Cagiva continued with strategic buyouts of Moto Morini
Moto Morini
Moto Morini is an Italian maker of motorcycles. It was founded by Alfonso Morini in Bologna, in 1937.Earlier, Morini had also manufactured motorcycles together with Mario Mazzetti under the name MM...
in 1985 and Husqvarna
Husqvarna Motorcycles
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a subsidiary of BMW, is a company manufacturing motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles. The company began producing motorcycles in 1903 at Huskvarna, Sweden, as a branch of the Husqvarna armament firm which had supplied the Swedish army with rifles since 1689.-History:As...
in 1987. In 1991 Cagiva also bought the trademarks for the MV Agusta
MV Agusta
MV Agusta is a motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1945 near Milan in Cascina Costa, Italy. The company began as an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company formed by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923. The Count died in 1927, leaving the company in the hands of his wife and sons, Domenico, Vincenzo,...
brand.
In 1996, the Ducati and Moto Morini brands were sold to Texas Pacific Group
Texas Pacific Group
TPG Capital is one of the largest private equity investment firms globally, focused on leveraged buyout, growth capital and leveraged recapitalization investments in distressed companies and turnaround situations. TPG also manages investment funds specializing in growth capital, venture capital,...
.
In 1999, for strategic purposes, the company was restructured. MV Agusta Motor become the main brand comprising Cagiva and Husqvarna.
In 2000, production of the Cagiva roadster
Cagiva roadster
The Cagiva roadster 521 is a 125cc motorcycle made by cagiva.it is not the most well known motorcycle but it is one of the fastest acceleration and unique 125cc motorcycles around it is known to have a top speed of 80 mph restricted and a estimated 100 mph+ un-restricted achieving approx...
ended
In 2008, Harley Davidson bought MV Agusta Motor, the parent company of Cagiva, thereby regaining some control of their old Aermacchi factory.
In October 2009, Harley-Davidson informed that it will put Cagiva on sale.
Racing
At the end of the 1970s the company began campaigning the Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
circuit. Randy Mamola
Randy Mamola
Randy Mamola born in San Jose, California is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He is considered one of the most talented riders never to have won a world championship.-Career:...
was their lead rider from 1988 to 1990, and he achieved Cagiva’s first podium result. They would also have some technical assistance from Yamaha
Yamaha Motor Company
, is a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company. Yamaha Motor is part of Yamaha Corporation and its headquarter is located in Iwata, Shizuoka. Along with expanding Yamaha Corporation into the world's biggest piano maker, then Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami took Yamaha into the field of motorized...
. In 1991
1991 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1991 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 43rd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:The beginning of the 1990s marked a golden age for Grand Prix motorcycle racing. The rivalry between Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz was in full flow while Mick Doohan started to...
they signed former world champion Eddie Lawson
Eddie Lawson
Eddie Lawson is a former four-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion. His penchant for not crashing & consistently finishing in the points earned him the nickname "Steady Eddie".-Biography:...
to their team. Lawson would claim their first victory when he won the 1992
1992 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1992 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 44th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:1992 was a year marked by injuries to several riders, most notably Mick Doohan. The Rothmans Honda rider had won five of the first seven races and seemed ready to win his first...
Hungarian Grand Prix. John Kocinski
John Kocinski
John Kocinski is a retired Grand Prix motorcycle road racer whose successes include winning the 1990 250cc World Championship, and the 1997 Superbike World Championship title.-Early years:...
would also win a Grand Prix on a Cagiva GP500
Cagiva GP500
The Cagiva GP500 was a Grand Prix 500cc two-stroke motorcycle manufactured by Cagiva. It was released in various iterations throughout the years it was raced. Racing greats including Eddie Lawson, Randy Mamola, John Kocinski, Doug Chandler, and Mat Mladin, all raced versions of the GP500 at one...
(C594), finishing third in the 1994
1994 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1994 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 46th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:1994 was the year in which Honda's Mick Doohan began to stamp his authority on the Grand Prix world. Honda's Longtime sponsor Rothmans left Honda to join Williams Renault in...
world championship.
In 1990 and 1994 the Italian rider Edi Orioli
Edi Orioli
Edi Orioli , is an Italian rallying motorcycle racer.Many consider Orioli to be one of the best motorcyclists in rallying, with four victories in the Dakar Rally, and one victory in the Pharaoh Rally, and was considered a great motorcyclist before commencing a career in automobile racing.-Honours:*...
won the famed Dakar Rally
Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid type of off-road automobile race, organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation...
on the Ducati-powered Cagiva Elefant.
Mini Moke
British Motor Corporation
The British Motor Corporation, or commonly known as BMC was a vehicle manufacturer from United Kingdom, formed by the merger of the Austin Motor Company and the Nuffield Organisation in 1952...
s design for the Mini Moke
Mini Moke
The Mini Moke is a vehicle based on the Mini and designed for the British Motor Corporation by Sir Alec Issigonis. The name comes from "Mini"—the car with which the Moke shares many parts—and "Moke", which is an archaic dialect term for donkey...
, manufacturing them in Portugal using British built engines from 1990 until 1993. Intending to transfer production to the Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
factory early in 1995, the tooling for the Moke was transferred to Italy late in 1993 – but production never restarted.
Past models
- SST-125 SXT-125
- SS-175
- MXR-250
- RX-250
- SST-350
- SXT-350
- WMX-125
- WMX-250
- MXR-500
- WMX-500
- Mito Evolution 125Cagiva MitoThe Mito is a small-engined Cagiva sports motorcycle. The powerplant consists of a two-stroke single cylinder, with some models capable of producing over in unrestricted form.-History and development:...
- T4 500 E
- AR 350 Ala Rossa
- SuperCity 125
- canyon 500/600
- 125 W8
- 350 W12
- 600 W16
- Aletta 125
- Cocis 50
- Prima 50
- City 50
- Freccia 125
- Roadster 125Cagiva roadsterThe Cagiva roadster 521 is a 125cc motorcycle made by cagiva.it is not the most well known motorcycle but it is one of the fastest acceleration and unique 125cc motorcycles around it is known to have a top speed of 80 mph restricted and a estimated 100 mph+ un-restricted achieving approx...
- Low Rider 125
- River 600
- Passing 125 (Scooter)
With Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
engine:
- Raptor/V-Raptor 650/1000
- Navigator 1000
With Ducati engine:
- Alazzura 350/650
- Elefant 350/650/750/900
- Gran Canyon 900