The Cagiva Roadster was a range of custom motorcycles built in 125 cc with two-stroke engines and 200 cc with four-stroke engines. They were derived from the Cagiva Blues and produced in collaboration with the Czech motorcycle maker ČZ.
Cagiva Roadster at a glance
| Maker | Cagiva, in collaboration with ČZ of the Czech Republic |
|---|---|
| 125 model name | Roadster 521 (521 is the capacity written backwards) |
| 125 production | 1994–2001 (English article: 329 built between 1993 and 1999, production ending in 2000) |
| 200 production | 1996–1997 |
| 125 engine | air-cooled single-cylinder two-stroke, 56 x 50.6 mm |
| 125 power | 15.5 hp at 7,500 rpm, 18 Nm at 9,000 rpm |
| Transmission | six-speed, chain final drive |
| Tyres | 3.25-19 front, 140/90-15 rear |
| Weight and tank | 125 kg dry, 11 litres |
| Top speed | 80 mph restricted, over 100 mph unrestrained (per the English article) |
The two Wikipedia articles give different production dates for the 125; both are reported here.
History of the Cagiva Roadster
Roadster 521
The 125 was produced from 1994 to 2001 under the full name Roadster 521, where 521 is the capacity written backwards. Its lines were simple and clean, with bodywork derived from the Blues 125: round headlight, mirrors and indicators, a two-piece seat with a deeply scooped rider section, a chrome tubular rear rack, solid front brake discs and a twin exhaust with one silencer on each side. The crankcase came from the Mito and N90 series but was air-cooled instead of water-cooled to keep the final price down. The same aim explains production in the Czech Republic and the use of many parts derived from the ČZ 175, such as the undrilled front disc and the rear drum. The English article gives a different production span, 1993 to 1999 and 329 machines, with production of the Roadster ending in 2000; it also lists a top speed of 80 mph restricted and more than 100 mph unrestrained, about 70 miles per gallon and a standing quarter mile of 18.6 seconds.
Roadster 200
The 200 was produced from 1996 to 1997 and differed from the 521 in its 200 cc four-stroke engine. It was made for a very short period because the collaboration with the Czech firm ended and its motorcycle division closed.
Design and features
- Custom styling: round lights, two-piece seat and a chrome rear rack in the style of the Blues.
- Czech connection: built in the Czech Republic with many parts taken from the ČZ 175.
- Air-cooled engine: the Mito and N90 crankcase with air cooling to keep the price low.
- Light and economical: 125 kg dry and a fuel consumption of about 70 miles per gallon.
- Short-lived 200: a four-stroke version built only while the ČZ partnership lasted.
Cagiva Roadster versions
- Roadster 521 (125 cc): the main model, two-stroke and air-cooled.
- Roadster 200 (1996–1997): four-stroke version, built in small numbers.
The Roadster used the engine family of the Cagiva Mito in air-cooled form. More small Cagivas are in the Cagiva collection.
Sources
- Cagiva Roadster, English Wikipedia: specifications, numbers built, performance
- Cagiva Roadster, Italian Wikipedia: ČZ collaboration, styling, 200 version
