Cagiva Mito SP525. August 2008

It was in 1991 when the Cagiva Mito logo first appeared on a rider's leathers. The leathers belonged to Eddie Lawson who rode a Cagiva, albeit the 500, a dream motorbike and the very best in its category. The name was used again in 1989 on the 125 road version that was created as a racer without a fairing but that it acquired one year later. The 125, apart from delighting the younger riders for whom it was designed, won races in the Italian Sport Production class. Even Valentino Rossi, in 1994, won his first championship aboard a Mito 125.

This machine underwent changes for the first time in 1995 with the introduction of the EV model that took looks to a new level. A racing machine, the SP (Sport Production) was, as always, created in parallel with the road-going version and the performance and equipment levels left little between it and a GP bike. Needless to say, these machines won numerous races and championships in the 125 class. Nowadays the Mito is "conservative" both in principle and design. The SP525 with the 1 of "125" is replaced by a 5 in memory of the legendary, much loved Cagiva 500.

Appearance: If the 125 had a racing number carrier instead of a headlight, it would be difficult to tell it apart from the legendary 500 racer. The streamlined profile and compressed nose cone, the twin airscoops and low screen create a very close resemblance to the Cagiva 4-cylinder. In size too there is little difference especially regarding the superb riding position on the 125. The design of the bike has in fact been retouched to a large extent. A new twin light cluster at the rear blends with the mirrors (fixed shell and adjustable mirrors) that, with their differing lines, offset the smaller more compact size of the screen. The tank remains the same shape: generally square but flat along the top and concave along the sides. It is highly efficient from the rider's point of view in terms of both riding position and comfort and perfectly matches the new lines of the bike. It is the only "aesthetic" component remaining from the previous Cagiva Mito.

Equipment

New items relate to both looks and the engine and involve the following components:
-New Euro 3 engine
-screen, mirror supports and mirrors
-handlebar switches
-instrumentation
-light units and indicators
-colours and graphics
-screen and tail section sub-frames
-tail section, side panels and saddle.

The new instrument cowl is fitted with vibration proof foam and houses an electronic rev counter that is set well apart from the other dials (speedometer and water temperature gauge) as on all racing machines. The warning light panel has one addition: the MIL ("Malfunction Injection Lamp"). This small emergency light comes on if the electric pump, carburretor or ECU signals a malfunction. The shape of the indicators has been modified to blend with both the new light units. The front unit has been split whereas the one at the rear is more streamlined than the previous (8 LED) unit. Other non-visible changes have been incorporated in the MitoSP525 project and the repositioning of some of the electrics toward the front of the bike is one of these changes. The ECU that manages the Euro 3 system has also been relocated.