Cagiva Raptor 650: Anyone currently own or have owned one?

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hi doods,

The Fireblade is going as soon as David Silver spares pull their finger out and get me the correct tail unit I ordered. I'm gonna stick it on ebay. Its 100% repaired now from my minor mishap in february and the last thing to fix is a slightly cracked tailpiece. Starting at £3k if anyone is interested...

Anyway I digress. I was thinking a cheap SV650 would be a good bike to get my confidence back but now I'm erring towards a Cagiva Raptor 650. Has an SV engine, but is a bit prettier and has some better cycle parts (suspension, brakes etc). Its a little bit heavier but I don't think that is much of an issue. As I've probably said before my ideal bike would probably actually be a Street Triple, but being as the list price is £5k and used ones are turning up on ebay at £6k, I don't think that is a very viable option!

The raptor is a little heavier, with less power but its reputed to have a low seat and be easy to ride.

Anyone have any experience with this middle sized Raptor? What is it like for parts availability? Finish? Handling?

Any thoughts you have will be helpful as there is very very little to be found on the web. Any other bike suggestions would be useful of course as I'm considering a wide range of bikes. I've also looked at Ducati Monsters, but I've been put off by their relatively high price for what they are, and the cheaper lower spec monsters have stuff like single front discs which put me off too.

My criteria are:

around £2k ish or less

light weight

good handling

reliable

Comfy ish and ideally with traditional bars, but I might consider a bike with highish clip ons.

Ideally not a four or a single but I might consider either if the rest of the stuff is right.

Thanks people! Very Happy

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Dr. DaveJPS · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2008 Karma :

have you considered a speed four? might be what you are looking for
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

I owned a planet 125 when I was 17 and I have to say that even though the raptor looks like a decent bike, I'd be reluctant to own another Cagiva. Build quality wasn't up to much and getting parts was a nightmare.

Overall, I think you'd be better off with an sv Thumbs Up

Otherwise, have you considered an er-6? supposed to be great fun to ride with about the same bhp as an sv...
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

quacker_boy · Cuddle Bitch Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Karma :

Didn't PhyscoHippy crash his wife's Raptor? Think that was a 650 unless they make a 1000. I don't know a lot about Cagiva but they do look like nice machines albeit drawn with tracing paper over a picture of a Ducati Laughing

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Scouse · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Karma :

I've read in many places that the raptors build quality is a bit poor and needs lots of care to keep on top rust and rotting etc.

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Dr. DaveJPS · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2008 Karma :

yeah there was the raptor and V-raptor which both came in a 650 and 1000

i thought the problems with the tt600 was solved by time the speed four came out, (at least that is what i have read) Confused

____________________
"intelligent inattention is preferable to unintelligent tinkering"
www.davejps.com

quacker_boy · Cuddle Bitch Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Cos the front suspension on an SV is pap.

I'm thinking a speed four might be the best compromise anyway...
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

quacker_boy · Cuddle Bitch Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Karma :

Fawbish · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Karma :

Dude.....street triple?

Oh wait....2k... Thumbs Down

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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 01 Jul 2002 Karma :

MrsHippy did indeed have a 650 Raptor for a few years, I gave her my 1000 V-Raptor (which I later crashed) when I bought the Tornado. Our friend bought the 650 from the dealer we part exchanged with and she still loves it.

They are great fun to ride but easy enough to handle, I seem to remember it making around 65Bhp (although I could be wrong). The older ones don't have carb heaters, so they don't like the cold (fuel addative sorts that out though). Can't really fault it for reliability but when you need OEM spares they can be expensive (same for most Cagivas to be honest). Finding an aftermarket rear sproket is an absolute bitch!

If you just want something to have a bit of fun with but don't want to loose your liscence then they are definately worth a look Thumbs Up

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Fawbish · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Fawbish · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Karma :

Do eet

They look boodiful
____________________
"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

County · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Karma :

I have just traded my CBR600RR-4 in for a Kwak ER6-N.

I must confess that it is the best decision i have ever made. The engine is excellent and pulls from really low down. The handling also inspires confidence.

I would say gor for a test ride on one and you will not be disappointed.

Cheers Smile

St0rmer66 · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Karma :

With regards to upgrading SV650 suspension... I've just got a ZX10R shock for £60 (looks almost new) which slots straight in apart from cutting a little of the battery box for the shock reservoir to fit in. Also ordered some Hagon Progressive fork springs for £55 and less than a fiver for some new fork oil.

Total cost of £120 and it should be good for everything but fast trackdays (fine for me as a virgin trackdayer though). More than enough for the road.
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:: Honda XR 125 L ('53) => Kawasaki GPZ 500S ('02) => Suzuki SV650S ('00) => Aprilia RSV-R ('51) ::