Italjet Dragster

The Italjet Dragster (1998–2003) of the Italian manufacturer Italjet Moto is the only mass-produced scooter with a RAAD forkless front suspension and a spaceframe. Alessandro und Leopoldo Tartarini obtained a patent for this combination in 1997.[1] A rebooted version has been displayed, and expected to be available from August 2019, with 125cc or 200cc four stroke engines.

Italjet Dragster 180
Space frame of the Italjet Dragster

Technology

The forkless front suspension is very unusual for motorcycles, and the Yamaha GTS 1000 (1993–1997) might have been the inspiration for the Tartarini brothers. They applied a very innovative technology and an unusual design to their scooter.

"This scooter is nothing for pragmatists, but a good choice for exhibitionists"[2]

All Dragster marks are based on a space frame, which was designed for more power. The wheel dimensions are 120/70–11 front and 130/70–12 rear. The 2007 models had a 130/60–13 rear wheel. The wheelbase was 1310 mm.[3] The mark Dragster 50 was re-edited in 2007 in addition to the mark Dragster 250. The forkless front suspension was criticised as leading to "non-harmonic and wobbly dynamics at lower speeds."[2] Some critics complained about the noise level of the large water cooled two stroke engine, which had a catalytic converter.

"It is impossible to drive with Dragster 180 through a quiet estate, but those who buy it, don't want to do that anyway."[2]

Marks
Dragster 50 Dragster 125 Dragster 180 Dragster 250
Engine one cylinder two stroke engine one cylinder two stroke engine one cylinder two stroke engine one cylinder four stroke engine
Capacity 49 cc (3.0 cu in) 123 cc (7.5 cu in) 176 cc (10.7 cu in) 244 cc (14.9 cu in)
Bore × stroke 41 mm × 37.4 mm (1.61 in × 1.47 in) 55 mm × 52 mm (2.2 in × 2.0 in) 65.6 mm × 52 mm (2.58 in × 2.05 in) 72 mm × 60 mm (2.8 in × 2.4 in)
Power/rpm 3.3 kW (4.4 hp)
6,800 rpm		 10.6 kW (14.2 hp)
7,500 rpm		 14 kW (19 hp)
8,000 rpm[4]		 16.2 kW (21.7 hp)[5]
Top speed[6] 50 km/h (31 mph) 103 km/h (64 mph) 122 km/h (76 mph) 125 km/h (78 mph)

References
  1. EP 0757950 A2
    - Patent
    - Thomas Krens (2001), The Art Of The Motorcycle (in German), New York: Guggenheim Museum New York Publications, p. 392, ISBN 978-0810969124
  2. Motorrad Test 2001, p. 218
  3. Motorrad catalogue 2002/2007
  4. Motorrad catalogue 2003, p. 316
  5. Motorrad catalogue 2007, p. 265
  6. Guggenheim Museum, p. 392
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