CAGIVA CANYON 500 (1996 - 2002) Review

Version: 500cc Suzuki derived engine

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £100

Vast improvement on the earlier Rotax versions. 100mph, minimal vibration for a big single, Italian handling, slick gear change.

Year: 1999

Annual servicing cost: £100

There is Italian build quality, but it has proven to be reliable. I never got stranded with this bike unlike other bikes I have owned.

Buying experience: I bought it very cheap 10 years ago as a winter bike and it was already in a very rough condition, but now it looks even worse. Still, I have never regretted it.

Just bought an old 2000 reg 500, I havent rdden for a long time, Ive had it a couple of months now, and so far, its behaved beautifully, I do about 70 miles a day too and from work, along winding country roads, and its propper fun, I tried it the shorter way back on the motorway, and the total lack of winsheild, made me want to never go on a motorway again. Anything after 60 mile an hour and you need nerves of steel, and fingers to match, clinging on. However, as i said along back country roads, uneven surfaces, its alot of fun, with a big throaty tone from the twin exhuasts I have a smile on my face most days. I have read that they have a real problem with the sprag clutch been a real weak spot, so I have checked the net in search of them for a back up replacement, and I would probably hvae more chance in finding the preverbial rocking horse poop, so fingers crossed, it wil hold together.

Just bought an old 2000 reg 500, I havent rdden for a long time, Ive had it a couple of months now, and so far, its behaved beautifully, I do about 70 miles a day too and from work, along winding country roads, and its propper fun, I tried it the shorter way back on the motorway, and the total lack of winsheild, made me want to never go on a motorway again. Anything after 60 mile an hour and you need nerves of steel, and fingers to match, clinging on. However, as i said along back country roads, uneven surfaces, its alot of fun, with a big throaty tone from the twin exhuasts I have a smile on my face most days. I have read that they have a real problem with the sprag clutch been a real weak spot, so I have checked the net in search of them for a back up replacement, and I would probably hvae more chance in finding the preverbial rocking horse poop, so fingers crossed, it wil hold together.

Just bought an old 2000 reg 500, I havent rdden for a long time, Ive had it a couple of months now, and so far, its behaved beautifully, I do about 70 miles a day too and from work, along winding country roads, and its propper fun, I tried it the shorter way back on the motorway, and the total lack of winsheild, made me want to never go on a motorway again. Anything after 60 mile an hour and you need nerves of steel, and fingers to match, clinging on. However, as i said along back country roads, uneven surfaces, its alot of fun, with a big throaty tone from the twin exhuasts I have a smile on my face most days. I have read that they have a real problem with the sprag clutch been a real weak spot, so I have checked the net in search of them for a back up replacement, and I would probably hvae more chance in finding the preverbial rocking horse poop, so fingers crossed, it wil hold together.

Just bought an old 2000 reg 500, I havent rdden for a long time, Ive had it a couple of months now, and so far, its behaved beautifully, I do about 70 miles a day too and from work, along winding country roads, and its propper fun, I tried it the shorter way back on the motorway, and the total lack of winsheild, made me want to never go on a motorway again. Anything after 60 mile an hour and you need nerves of steel, and fingers to match, clinging on. However, as i said along back country roads, uneven surfaces, its alot of fun, with a big throaty tone from the twin exhuasts I have a smile on my face most days. I have read that they have a real problem with the sprag clutch been a real weak spot, so I have checked the net in search of them for a back up replacement, and I would probably hvae more chance in finding the preverbial rocking horse poop, so fingers crossed, it wil hold together.

Just bought an old 2000 reg 500, I havent rdden for a long time, Ive had it a couple of months now, and so far, its behaved beautifully, I do about 70 miles a day too and from work, along winding country roads, and its propper fun, I tried it the shorter way back on the motorway, and the total lack of winsheild, made me want to never go on a motorway again. Anything after 60 mile an hour and you need nerves of steel, and fingers to match, clinging on. However, as i said along back country roads, uneven surfaces, its alot of fun, with a big throaty tone from the twin exhuasts I have a smile on my face most days. I have read that they have a real problem with the sprag clutch been a real weak spot, so I have checked the net in search of them for a back up replacement, and I would probably hvae more chance in finding the preverbial rocking horse poop, so fingers crossed, it wil hold together.

Just bought an old 2000 reg 500, I havent rdden for a long time, Ive had it a couple of months now, and so far, its behaved beautifully, I do about 70 miles a day too and from work, along winding country roads, and its propper fun, I tried it the shorter way back on the motorway, and the total lack of winsheild, made me want to never go on a motorway again. Anything after 60 mile an hour and you need nerves of steel, and fingers to match, clinging on. However, as i said along back country roads, uneven surfaces, its alot of fun, with a big throaty tone from the twin exhuasts I have a smile on my face most days. I have read that they have a real problem with the sprag clutch been a real weak spot, so I have checked the net in search of them for a back up replacement, and I would probably hvae more chance in finding the preverbial rocking horse poop, so fingers crossed, it wil hold together.

Some of the commments on the engine power are pointless if your looking for a 33bhp legal (restricted licence) bike without having to pay £200 for a restrictor. This is what appealed to me when looking at this bike. A rider with more experience may find that this bike lacks the power. mf'The bike has a reasonably comfy seat and handles well. However i found that near 80 you got alot of vibrations, and you would not be able to keep at that pace for a period of time. The ride is soft (you wont feel every bump in the road), but i wouldn't advise trying to ride this bike like a YZF-R1, its not built for that type of abuse. The quality of the bike is questionable. I'd only buy one of these that has already had some money spent repairing the engine. I have had to wait 2months for some parts. However i've been told this is not Cagiva's fault, It is the importer (3cross motorcycles) who are useless and incapable of getting an order correct. (thanks 3x) What causes the biggest delay in parts is that somewehere along the line a company will ship every 3 weeks (mostlikly to save on distribution costs). So it is quite likly that you will wait upto 6weeks for your parts. The Parkers guide price for this bike is wrong! A well looked after model can cost upto £2000. However private you are looking at closer to £1600 for a W/X reg (as at July 07)