Italjet Dragster: Andrea Dovizioso to help develop quirky new twist-and-go

Former 125cc world champion and MotoGP race winner Andrea Dovizioso signed a deal with Italjet to help develop the space-age Dragster scooter range.

The Italian firm revealed the unconventional four-stroke twist-and-go in both 125cc and 200cc guises back in late 2019 and claim to have taken thousands of orders worldwide since.

It’s on sale in the UK now for £4999 for the 125, or £5499 for the 200 version. 

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“When I designed the new Dragster, I imagined it as a small superbike to utilise in the city. A scooter capable of giving the feeling of a real motorcycle on the track.” President and CEO of Italjet, Massimo Tartarini, said.

Initially due for release last year, a global pandemic and stringent Euro5 emissions rules saw the firm push deliveries back into 2021. All bikes will now get a larger 200mm front disc (up from 175mm), ABS (early 125s used combined brakes instead) and suspension components from Paioli.

Despite earlier claims that bikes may arrive in the UK between February and March of this year, production is now said to be imminent.

Tartarini continued: “I want the Dragster to express all its potential and be the best in class. For this reason, I thought I have to rely on an undisputed protagonist of motorsport, a famous pilot all over the world. I immediately thought of Andrea, a person that I’ve always admired, a professional and a man able to look beyond.”

Dovizioso will provide feedback to the technical team during pre-production track tests, to help achieve the city setup.

Italjet Dragster delayed until first quarter of 2021

First published on 17 November, 2020 by Dan Sutherland

The arrival of the funky-looking Italjet Dragster scooter has been delayed until the first quarter of 2021, due to the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 affecting production.

Available as either a 125cc or 200cc four-stroke, the exotic Italian twist-and-go was first revealed in late 2019. The black and Magnesium Limited  Edition then appeared midway through June 2020. Now set to debut in 2021, Italjet have made some changes to the bike to help it pass stringent emissions rules.

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Starting in the middle, the engines are now Euro5-compliant, with a larger 11-litre fuel tank to help feed it. Up two litres, the Italian firm have also updated the suspension and braking system too.

Replacing the existing 175mm front disc is a larger 200mm unit. Both machines now also get ABS, instead of just the larger 200 – with earlier Dragster 125 bikes using a combined braking system instead. The suspension is now also provided by Paioli, who also worked on the original Dragster of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Available in a variety of colour schemes, 125cc Dragsters currently retail at £4799 + OTR, with the Italjet Dragster 200 option in at a slightly costlier £5299 + OTR. It is hoped that UK customers will begin to see bikes between February and March 2021.

MCN will bring you a full review of the bike as soon as possible. 

Sold out! All 499 Italjet Dragster Limited Edition models gone before launch

First published on 15 June, 2020 by Gareth Evans

A ‘special edition’ version of the Italjet Dragster has been revealed to celebrate the launch of the new scooter, finished in a distinctive colour and graphics scheme.

The bike’s due for a September launch, and the Limited Edition 499 will arrive in dealers at the same time as the standard model, which can be ordered now. That version is available in anthracite, red and white; anthracite and yellow; or black and grey.

We’re told this new Limited Edition livery will never be repeated, so bikes should retain their value well. Keep an eye out for the Italjet Dragster review coming soon on MCN.

Super-scoot! Italjet confirm Dragster production will begin in Italy in May

First published 5 February 2020 by Dan Sutherland

It has been confirmed this morning that the 2020 Italjet Dragster will begin production in Italy in May. 

Speaking in a statement, Italjet President and CEO, Massimo Tartarini said: “The Dragster is expected in every part of the world.

“The Limited Edition series of 499 units numbered and certified, that were offered to all Dragster fans, are now sold out,” he added. “Bookings came from more than 20 different countries. Now the wait is about to end: Dragster production will start in May.”

The new scooter is a modern reimagining of the small-capacity two-stroke model of the same name that achieved near cult status in the late nineties and early noughties. Sadly, this latest machine will be available in either a 125 or 200 four-stroke.

Italjet claim that 90% of all Dragsters produced will be for export markets and say both the UK and Germany will be amongst the biggest purchasers in Europe. Before production begins, the Italian firm will continue to display the bike at tradeshows across the globe, with the next appearance set to be the Tokyo Motorcycle Show in March.

MCN will bring you more information as it becomes available after pricing and specifications have been nailed. 

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Italjet bring back the Dragster: “We are not joking!”

First published 16 October 2019 by Ben Clarke

Leftfield Italian scooter and small bike makers, Italjet, have announced the return of their much-loved twist-and-go, the Dragster with a statement on their website: “We are not joking!”

Using a hub front suspension setup with a horizontal, adjustable shock instead of a traditional fork design and an exposed trellis frame in red, orange or yellow, the Dragster certainly demands attention.

The scooter, which will be shown at Eicma on Tuesday, November 5, will be available in two Euro4 engine variants; 125cc and 200cc. Both capacities are liquid-cooled, four-stroke singles.

The original Dragster garnered a cult following in the late 90s and early 00s with its similarly quirky styling and lightweight design. Some were even modified into real drag bikes.

There’s no word yet on price but MCN will be at Eicma to bring you all the latest news as we get it.