Asiaone : Cagiva Mito- Singaporean James Bond's ride

DUCATI and MV Agusta are two of the most famous names in the Italian sportbike scene.
While Ducati might be a household name thanks to MotoGP and Casey Stoner, the MV Agusta name is equally revered by enthusiasts, with its F4 RR312 being the fastest ever production motorcycle around the Nordschleife.

So how does Cagiva fit into all this? Simple. It is the perfect introduction to the bigger and more powerful bikes for riders saddled with a Class 2B licence, that is, a licence that only allows bikes under 200cc to be ridden. Enter the Cagiva Mito SP525.

Made by MV Agusta, the Cagiva Mito has a cult following of sorts. It was after all the great Valentino Rossi's first bike. With 35hp from its 125cc two-stroke powerplant, the Mito is just one of a handful of two-stroke bikes you can buy brand new. Forget horror stories told by old timers about two-stroke bikes.
The new Mito SP525 is surprisingly easy to ride. Old two-strokes from the early '90s had an on/off powerband that made wearing diapers optional unless your name was John Kocinski.

But this is the 21st century and while the SP525 does get more powerful as the revs climb, it is much more linear.

The new electronic carburetion system not only improves rideability but also helps the bike pass Euro 3 emissions as well.

We didn't get to put a knee down but we can vouch for the 129kg bike's low speed manoeuvrability - important as it is unlikely that the average owner will be a hot-blooded 17-year-old who just got his 2B licence. This is because the Mito costs a cool S$15,000. Only a handful have been sold since it was made available last November.

Exclusivity is almost ensured and one is unlikely to see your burger or pizza delivered by Mito.
Distributor Hong Seh Superbikes says its target audience is "not someone who has to work a double shift doing deliveries to buy the SP525; Cagiva is a lower power premium brand". And a look at the top spec parts list will tell you what your money buys - Brembo brakes, upside- down Marzocchi forks, Gremica rims etc.

Cagiva Mito SP525

Engine: 125cc two-stroke, liquid-cooled Gearbox: 6-speed constant mesh transmission Max Power: 35hp @ 12,000 rpm Weight: 129 kg Suspension: Marzocchi inverted forks, Sachs rear damper with adjustable pre-load Brakes: Front 320mm floating disc, rear 230mm disc Tyres: Front 110/70Z R17, rear 150/60ZR17 Michelin Pilot Sport Distributor: Hong Seh Superbikes

The Mito is still the only motorbike in its class to boast a steering damper as factory equipment. It is fully blinged from the factory, just add rider in leathers. But we save the best for last and it is how the Cagiva Mito SP525 looks. Nobody would think this a 125cc bike. It is more like a 400cc or even a 600cc sports bike.

The lines - essentially unchanged since famed Italian designer Massimo Tamburini penned it back in 1994 - have been freshened up a little but this bike looks fast even when standing still on its kickstand.

If James Bond were Singaporean and only had a 2B licence, this would be the bike that he rides. Enough said.