Cagiva

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. The MV Agusta brand is now part of the Castiglioni company. Cagiva is currently owned by Giovanni's sons, Claudio and Gianfranco Castiglioni.

While they are no longer active in motocross, they did build a series of motocross bikes that had fast powerful engines and innovative features, such as the MX line that had only one spring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.

In June of 1983 the Castiglioni brothers began negotiations with the Italian government to take over Ducati and use their engines in Cagiva motorcycles. However, the Ducati name was better recognized outside Italy, so 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. Ducati was sold in 1996 to independent investors.

Similarly, in 1985, Cagiva purchased MotoMorini SpA. Sales declined under Cagiva's management and it was sold to independent investors in 1996. They purchased the motorcycle section of Husqvarna in 1987, which remained a subsidiary until 2007 when it was sold outright to BMW. MV Agusta was purchased in 1991.

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.


Racing
In the early 80's Cagiva began to manufacture dirt bikes and started a massive public relations program with the opening of their North American branch. They hired "Radical" Ron Turner to test and develop their bikes. They also had Duane Summers, a legend in the cross country pro circuit. This was when Johnny O'Mara was the 'fast' one on the 125's that year and Ron beat Johnny numerous times at local Southern California tracks.

In the early 1990s the company began campaigning the Grand Prix motorcycle racing circuit with Randy Mamola as their rider. 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 (the C594) and finishing third in the 1994 world championship.

In 1990 and 1994 Italian rider Edi Orioli won the famed Dakar Rally on a Cagiva.


Current models

Mito 125
Mito SP 525
Raptor 125
Raptor 650