Italjet Dragster
The Italjet Dragster (1998–2003) of the Italian manufacturer Italjet Moto is so far 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][2][3]
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"[4]
All Dragster marks are based on a space frame, which was obviously designed for more power. The front wheel had the dimensions 120/70–11 and the rear wheel 130/70–12, only the mark 2007 had a 130/60–13 rear wheel. The wheelbase was 1310 mm.[5] 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."[4] Some critics complained about the noise level of the large water cooled two stroke engine, which had a catalyst:
- "It is impossible to drive with Dragster 180 through a quiet estate, but those who buy it, don't want to do that anyway."[4]
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 two stroke engine |
Capacity | 49 cm³ | 123 cm³ | 176 cm³ | 244 cm³ |
Bore × stroke | 41 × 37,4 mm | 55 × 52 mm | 65,6 × 52 mm | 72 × 60 mm |
Power/rpm | 3,3 kW/4,5 PS 6.800 min-1 |
10,6 kW/14,5 PS 7.500 min-1 |
14 kW/19,4 PS 8.000 min-1[6] |
16,2 kW/22 PS[7] |
Max. speed in km/h |
50 (80[8]) | 103 | 122 | 125 |
References
- ↑ EP 0757950 A2
- ↑ Patent
- ↑ Thomas Krens (2001) (in German), The Art Of The Motorcycle, New York: Guggenheim Museum New York Publications, pp. 392, ISBN 978-0810969124
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Motorrad Test 2001, p. 218
- ↑ Motorrad catalogue 2002/2007
- ↑ Motorrad catalogue 2003, p. 316
- ↑ Motorrad catalogue 2007, p. 265
- ↑ Guggenheim Museum, p. 392