Introduced in 1989, the Cagiva Mito was restyled in 1994 by… Well you get three guesses. If, after a quick look at that front fairing and headlight arrangement, you guessed “Massimo Tamburini”, you win a cookie! Either that or you’re quick with a Google search…
Looking for all the world like a miniature, aluminum beam-framed Ducati 916, the Cagiva Mito was powered by a water-cooled 125cc two-stroke single that put 34hp through a 7-speed transmission. So it was a genuine miniature sportbike, not some feeble learner’s tool: this baby 916 actually gave Valentino Rossi his very first title, in the Italian 125cc championship.
With no power to mention below 8,000 rpm and a redline at 11,400, it needs all seven gears to keep the power flowing. The bike is extremely narrow and your knees can nearly touch. Like riding a very angry mountain bike…
With the typical American aversion to anything two-stroke or under 1000cc’s, these are exceedingly rare on these shores. In fact, the seller claims that only 25 were imported to the US, although I assume he’s referring to this specific model year.
From the original eBay listing: 1995 Cagiva Mito for Sale
Designed by the late Massimo Tamburini is a pearl white 125 Cagiva Mito with an Evo1 motor (7 speed). It’s powered by a 2 stroke racing engine that makes it a light, fast and a extremely nimble bike with a California pink slip and registered with custom CA plates. The mito was rebuilt from the ground up, every bolt, nut, and part is either brand new or professionally refurbished to better than new.
1 of 25 imported to America!
CA plated and current registration
Italian made using the best European race parts available.
Digital dash
Aluminium frame
Steering damper or dampener
Upside-down Marzocchi forks
Four-piston Brembo front brake caliper
Super light race fiber glass bodywork
updated Evo 2 wheels
De-restricted from Europe
Engine has been tuned and serviced by CN racing
As the seller mentions, he’s updated this bike with Evo II wheels. This is a very cool little motorcycle, although why a bike from 1995 needed a “ground up” rebuild is something to ponder. These aren’t the sort of bikes one does big miles on… The pearl-white bodywork with minimal graphics looks great: the original featured a good bit more badging and racy sponsor-decals. And that Vapor digital dash is very slick-looking.
But it does beg the question: why? Was it crashed? The title is listed as being “Clear” so that increases confidence somewhat, and the bike does feature a California title and registration, also big marks in the “Plus” column.
There’s a nice start-up video as well:
Bidding is active, although remains a bit low, and the Reserve Has Not Yet Been Met. There’s a couple days left on this, so jump in if you’ve had a hankering to wind through seven gears and aren’t put off bit a bit of cosmetic updates to your miniature masterpiece!
-tad
I remember talking to Don Lemilin out at Scuderia West in San Francisco about these bikes (BTW – he has sold the dealership I am told). He said these were horrendously unreliable and often required a rebuild under warrenty which may be what the seller is describing.
Here is what the review at MCN contains in the quality and reliability section
“The Cagiva Mito 125 can quickly become scruffy, though that’s usually due to owners neglecting the motorcycle. Treated right, and fed high quality oil, you should expect to change the piston only every 9500 miles with a Cagiva Mito 125. However, after just 30,000-35,000 miles a Cagiva Mito 125 is fit only for the scrapper by-and-large. Some motorcycles seem plagued by battery and electrical woes.”
30k miles on most non touring bikes will make them fit for scrap. I sure as hell wouldn’t buy a sportbike with 30k on the clocks and expect anything other than a clapped out shed.
Many people seem to confuse reliability and durability(longevity). Can you honestly expect an engine that makes more than 30 horsepower and which is the size of a sixpack of beers to last very long? It is a lot of power from such a tiny light motor, but the price is the short life. Not to say that the Mito is a very reliable bike, but this poor longevity is an inherent trait of all the small high strung two strokes, and it does not mean that they are unreliable engines. In fact, they are way too simple to be unreliable. On the upside, the rebuilds are much cheaper than with 4strokes. If you are looking for 2stroke 125 that is fast and at least a little durable, look for a yamaha tzr belgarda
It’s amusing that someone would comment on a Grand Prix replica bike’s reliability. I will go out an a limb and say there is not one bike produced that gives you the sensual GP experience, without needing GP type maintenance. When talking Desmocedici, another GP replica, would we lament its reputation for poor reliability? If you answer yes, than these great race replica bikes are just not made for you, it takes a special connection to appreciate the full experience these type of bikes provide.
I have owned a few of these Mito’s and can tell you first hand that if taken care of by a capable owner they can be the greatest riding experience you will ever know. The desmocedici is on my short list of future bikes BTW.