One-litre musclebikes that combine Italian flair with Japanese engine technology, the 140mph Raptors are true birds of prey.
Representing the first fruits of Cagiva's deal with Suzuki, the naked Monster-like N-Raptor and quarter-fairing V-Raptor both use the TL1000S engine. Liquid cooled, with chain driven overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, the perfectly balanced 90 degree V-twins have ignition and fuel injection remapped in Italy to boost power at low revs. A stainless exhaust system with large oval cans ensures that the Raptors make that wonderful Ducati-like V-twin rumble.
Styled by Miguel Galluzzi, responsible for the Monster when Cagiva owned Ducati, frame development was in the capable hands of grand prix race chassis engineer Romano Albesiano. The frame is a Monster-type steel tube space frame with the engine acting as a stressed member. An oval-section swingarm is controlled by a fully adjustable Sachs shock.
The front fork is an upside-down Marzocchi unit with 43mm stanchions. There are 320mm disc rotors on the front wheel with Brembo four-pot calipers. Apart from the V-Raptor's talon-like fairing supports the models' most striking feature is their instrumentation. An analogue revcounter with a triangular dial sits above a digital speedometer. The Suzuki engine has enough torque to make a six-speed gearbox feel redundant, but performance is limited by the lack of a fairing for the rider.
Despite their stunning looks, this limits the Raptors' appeal. Can't choose between a Monster and a Raptor? Suzuki power promises lower running costs and a more reliable ride.
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