Well this is a new machine from Italy's motorcycle manufacturer Italjet - a Dragster 700 Twin no less! Everyone is interested and everyone is asking what it actually is, a scooter or a motorcycle? Italjet comes from Bologna in Italy,and has been around and producing motorcycles since 1959! Quite a long pedigree!

 

Founded by Leopoldo Tartarini, it is still a family run business, and is still turning out new and interesting machines as we can see. Today it is  run by Leopoldo's son Massimo although the company is now owned by the Chinese Qianjiang Motorcycle Group, which also owns Benelli, Morbidelli and QYMotor. Founded in 1985, Qianjiang is one of China's largest and most successful motorcycle producers and is clearly not afraid of pushing the envelope. Between China and Italy there is obviously an eye for the different and unique. The company is now planning to expand into new markets like the US but apparently the American customer wants a motorcycle which is actually made in Italy, whereas they are actually often made in China, Thailand or Malaysia, as everything is these days, so it will be interesting to see what happens there.

 

 

 

 

Italjet has specialised in scooters and small machines throughout its history, but at the moment it is shining it's full beam on the new Dragster. The earliest Dragster appeared on the scene as long ago as 1998 but this incarnation is the most powerful so far.
 

The new Dragster is certainly different with an exposed frame, almost no fairing and exciting colours. It comes in four capacities – 125cc, 200cc, 300cc and the big 700cc Twin. The smaller machines are definitely low capacity twist and go scooters but the 700 is a different beast and less easy to define. It is bigger than a maxi-scooter with a 1553mm wheelbase but there's no characteristically scooter underseat storage. With the engine of a Benelli TRK 702 and six speed transmission of a motorcycle, but the 15inch wheels of a scooter, is it actually quite unique and even Italjet don't actually want to commit themselves on what it is.

Italjet it seems are happy for the owner to choose their own definition of this new bike, would you prefer to own a scooter or a motorcycle – well it can be whatever you choose to call it.

The company says:
 “We're happy to let the rider decide that one. Internally we use both terms” 

 

This venture, the 700 Dragster, has the same 692cc liquid cooled parallel twin engine as the aforementioned Benelli as it has a proven track record. It offers a reported top speed of 118 mph or 190kmph. The Scooter Bike sports Brembo calipers, Pirelli Corsa 120/70-R15 and 160/60 R15 sport tyres and ABS traction control. The upside down Marzocchi front forks and a preload adjustable rear monoshock, is adjusted using an unusual metal bar.
With its comfortable seat, weird indefinable looks and load of technology, this bike is a one off. Launched at the Imola circuit, this machine is still something of an enigma – who knows who it is aimed at? But it is interesting and different and that's really good to see.

 Time will tell if the punters are convinced but it is at least admirable that there's a new bike on the block and a really different one.
 

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