2002 Italjet Dragster 180 Scooter

Description

Founded in San Lazzaro, Bologna in 1959 by Leopoldo Tartarini, Italjet Moto Srl has a long-standing history of building innovative scooters, small-capacity motorcycles and quad-bikes, even competing in the 125cc Moto GP category in the early 2000s. The Dragster 180 was a particularly radical design, the only mass-produced scooter ever to use the forkless front suspension technology developed by Bimota, with hub centre steering. Housed in a stiff space-frame, the Dragster was offered in four different models from 1998 until 2003, all powered by single-cylinder two-stroke engines of 50cc, 125cc, 180cc and 250cc capacities, all using CVT ‘twist and go’ transmissions. With a bore and stroke of 65.6mm by 52mm, the 180 developed a total power output of 14 kW at 8000 rpm and had a top speed of 122 km/h, aided by disc brakes at both ends. Alongside the Dragster, Ital Moto also built the Velocifero and Formula scooters and an example of the latter was selected to appear in The Art of the Motorcycle held at the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art in New York. The futuristic Dragster has also inspired a loyal following, with a number of specialists catering to owners today.