Memorable Motorcycles - Cagiva Raptor 1000 Photo Gallery

Memorable Motorcycles - Cagiva Raptor 1000 - The Cagiva Raptor 1000, the brain-child of Miguel-Angel Galluzzi, was quick, agile, and had all the necessary traits. Check out the full story in Memorable Motorcycles: Cagiva Raptor 1000.

The Cagiva Raptor 1000 has a wide powerband and excellent roll-on acceleration that impressed even an old-schooler like Melling.

Melling says 'Forget your Big Fours, this motor is turbine smooth with the sweetest gearbox imaginable and a featherlight clutch.'

Cagiva took the naked look to the extreme because there's not much between the engine and the ground.

In choosing the narrow, powerful, 90 degree V-Twin Suzuki TL1000 engine, Cagiva was looking for a motor that would square up to the Ducati Monster's eight-valve liquid-cooled Vee.

Cagiva's styling includes a generous amount of carbon fiber throughout the bike.

The Raptor's front end is anchored by a 43mm inverted Marzocchi fork with 4.72-inches of travel and 320mm Brembo discs that are powerful but not overdone.

With a 98 x 66mm bore and stroke and a claimed 105 hp the TL1000 engine delivers the power you'd expect from a big V-twin.

Though the 2001 Cagiva Raptor 1000 had muscle and handling, the timing of the bike's release resulted in lower sales figures than the bike's worthy of.

The Raptor's light weight and low seat height are attractive features for riders of smaller dimensions who desire the thrill of a sporty over the pull of a mid-sized cruiser.

The handling of the prototype was a little sketchy, so Cagiva extended the wheelbase and increased the steering head angle.

The Cagiva Raptor 1000's gauges are minimalist but include a digital speedo and a scrollable digital readout for coolant temp, an odometer, trip mileage, and tach.

The Cagiva Raptor 1000 was the brain-child of Miguel-Angel Galluzzi (of Ducati Monster fame).

If the Raptor 1000 would have received the funds and attention Claudio Castiglioni's other enterprise MV Agustu did, the bike could have been a serious contender in the streetfighter class.