Cagiva Prototype Mito 500

[Onlypastrana199]

This months copy of Cycle World featured a new 500 prototype.

Who is behind Cagiva's prototype single-cylinder 500?
Bruno de Prato

In Italy, one class of motorcycling popular among amateur racers of all ages is "Super Mono." This category became fashionable in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when people started shoehorning big Japanese dual-purpose Singles into the chassis of 125cc sportbikes. They were homemade and thus double-fun—first for the pleasure of creating a self-conceived and manufactured bike; second for the joy of racing on a limited budget like all the others in the class.

In those early days, even old Ducati 450 Desmos found their way back to the racetrack. Then some smart guy at Gilera thought that Super Monos were a great opportunity to bring that famous make back to prominence and he created the Saturno 500 Piuma, a very expensive real racer entrusted to a semi-factory team. Ducati also wanted some of this glory (what glory, factory teams against amateurs?) and gave life to the sophisticated Supermono 500 and 580. With no more fun for the little guys, the formula died.



Italian beauty. Frame and rolling gear for the prototype Husqvarna 501-powered Cagiva Mito 500 are carry-over Mito 125 items. Weight is minimal, wheelbase is compact. Seat height is 29.9 inches, low for a modern-day sportbike. Simplicity begets simplicity. When you have less than 300 pounds to stop, a single disc will do just fine, thanks. Top speed potential is above 120 mph with great acceleration. What counts most, however, is terrific handling. There are no production plans—yet.


Now it has been revived—and with the real amateur spirit. One of the riders is Roberto Tamiazzo, a former member of the Cagiva 500cc GP technical team and a competent mechanic and rider. Working in Cagiva's R&D department, he has the opportunity to test, tune and hone nearly everything being produced there, Husqvarna engines included. He thought it logical to build his own Super Mono racer by transplanting a four-stroke Husqvarna 501 into a Cagiva Mito 125 chassis. Conceived as a ¾-scale Ducati 916, the Mito two-stroke was a good-looking piece (see lead photo). Still is. Anyway, he did some copy/paste graphics trickery on his computer and found that the potent enduro-oriented engine didn't need a pry bar to help it fit into the Mito frame. Even the chain line was the same!

The operation was completed in a fairly short time—as a strictly private venture. Only modification was the insertion of special rubber bushings into the front engine mount to completely cancel residual vibration the balancing shaft (originally conceived for the then-250cc Single) could not deal with. The bike performed superbly at the track, and at that stage the concept received some attention from top management. The bike was refurbished for the show circuit and audiences expressed great approval for a bike that would be great fun on the road—though it had better be a very twisty one!—for a small investment.

Tamiazzo is working to reduce engine vibration even further and improve long-term reliability. Or he may develop a new, application-specific engine. In the case of the latter, he has identified the ideal displacement to be around 580cc. It would have a very short stroke, dual overhead camshafts and four valves and produce around 80 horsepower. There would be a lot of the Husky unit in it, but for longevity purposes the pressed crankshaft turning on roller and needle bearings would have to be replaced with a solid shaft running on plain bearings. Above all, it had better be as compact as the Husky 501, a 97.0 x 67.8mm, dohc four-valver now sporting Mikuni electronic fuel-injection and producing no less than 60 hp and 38 ft.-lb. of torque, more than adequate for outstanding performances from a bike that only weighs 293 pounds.

Maybe this prototype will start a new trend. If not, it's still not bad for a one-man (though highly experienced) effort.

The target price should it go into production is between 7-9k. Be nice to see something like that here in the states. Doubtful though I guess, we don't tend to get things like that here 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

500cc thumper? Ouch..

[Jughead]

Yeap too bad it's not a 2 Stroke. Still it should be Wicked with the 125 Chassis.I'd still ride it.

[Onlypastrana199]

I'd love to pick one up for the track, its just the right size for me...

[Alphamazing]

Why get a 500 single for $7k-$9k when you can get a 600cc 4cyl for around the same price?

For the track, it'd only be good for the 500cc racing classes. Even then, a single cylinder engine won't be very competitive I think. The EX500 with some work would probably be cheaper and better suited.

Heck, even the baby Monster is around that price, and it's got a very beginner friendly engine (the 620, at least).

[Onlypastrana199]

well clearly i wouldn't buy a NEW one...thats just crazy.....besides i wouldn't be competitive...A 600 doesn't work for me because I'm short..and tiny....the monsters I found uncomfortable...The ergos were just off for me...I had an ex500...it bored me..i beat it to death then got my baby gs 


BTW: The 125 TWO STROKE engine got REPLACED by the Husky FOUR stroke 501 single its not a two stroke it makes 60bhp with a little modding..it'd give any ex a run for its money...

[brett]

Why get a 500 single for $7k-$9k when you can get a 600cc 4cyl for around the same price?

For the track, it'd only be good for the 500cc racing classes. Even then, a single cylinder engine won't be very competitive I think. The EX500 with some work would probably be cheaper and better suited.

Heck, even the baby Monster is around that price, and it's got a very beginner friendly engine (the 620, at least).

There are a few things that I want for my dreambike: lightweight (sub 300 lbs, if not more), great suspension, great brakes, and an engine with some more oomph than the gs. A bike like that would be a ton of fun! The bigger bikes like the Daytona 675, GSX-R 750, etc. have all the but the light weight. Smaller bikes like the EX250 have crappy suspension and little to no engine. Something like an RS250 would be awesome, but the two-strokes aren't street-legal.

And yes, I know my description fits some supermotos, but it would nice to be able to find it in a sportbike as well.

[Stephen072774]

I love it, and think its a great idea...  I just don't see myself buying anything with fairings, give me the supermoto equivalent

[scottpA_GS]

The pipe on that looks like its about 1" 

[Alphamazing]

I love it, and think its a great idea...  I just don't see myself buying anything with fairings, give me the supermoto equivalent

Husky SMR 510

Same engine, but with a dry weight of 241 lbs, a full 52 lbs lighter than the Mito 500 mentioned below.

[scratch]

Lower and re-gear the Husky and it'll smoke the Mito.    What's the cost?

[Stephen072774]

Husky SMR 510

Yeah, I read the article

What I meant was that i'd like to see more fully faired sportbikes modeled after supermotos (and acheive the same power to weight ratio sub 300lbs), but I still wouldn't buy one, 'cause i'd scratch it.

[Alphamazing]

Lower and re-gear the Husky and it'll smoke the Mito.    What's the cost?

MSRP: $7.699

The SMR450 is $7,299

[Unnamed]

I just wish someone would decide to bring a small displacement sports bike into the US. I know the market forces aren't right for it, but I would love an Aprilia even if they had to make an RS250 or 125 into a 4 stroke to do it. I just find the idea of riding a great bike with a small engine very attractive. Someday when I've got money I'll smuggle an RS50 here from Canada...