Raptor Chapter

Hi People,

I'm a longtime enthusiast for Cagivas and currently own an Alazzurra, a Canyon500 and a Gran Canyon. All great bikes, and I really appreciate the design flair in all Cagiva products and, of course, their involvement in Ducati history. Just now, the concept of their Suzuki-powered street bikes has begun to appeal, particularly the basic Raptor 1000. Of course, the motor has a high reputation, but I'm wondering about the ride quality of the bike, having found that whatever I've done to a 750 Ducati Monster has not made it tolerable over the rough roads in East Anglia.

Since I value a relaxed and relatively-comfortable ride much higher than performance/sheer hooligan potential, I'd appreciate any opinions you might like to share. Better yet; if there was a Raptor owner in Norfolk who'd be prepared to let me try one before buying I'd be grateful. I have a garage full of interesting bikes, mostly vee-twins, that might interest those who enjoy trying something different!

Cheers,

Nick

Sorry: I should have said that I'm in Norfolk, UK. You know; that island shortly to be cut adrift from the rest of Europe!

Nick

They have noto the best set up suspension, but there are fixes that don't have to be expensive, welcome to you.

Welcome in Nick,

We have a Navigator and a Raptor so also have a Cagiva addiction!

If you fancy a ride out a few of us are gathering in Linconshire this weekend. Sadlly i have done my shoulder in so will be in the van, but hopefully a couple of Raptors will be there and a few owners to chat to. There is a post in events.

As Geoff said they in my opinion have a harsh ride. I am in process of fitting r1 forks which feel softer just bouncing the suspension so hopefully will help.

I went for a run with some mates a fortnight ago around Alston area and coming into a corner hit a bump my arse left the seat but had to get hard on the brakes and whacked both my bo**ocks on the tank and had to stop until the pain subsided. That's what made me try the R1 forks.

But apart from that I love the bike. The Engine is awesome

Thanks for the friendly reception, People!

As to the ride qualities of the Raptor; I have to say I'm a bit disappointed that a roadtest I found saying the suspension was soft doesn't appear to have been realistic. Journalists, eh? I've had my doubts about their opinions ever since I tried 'The Best Bike In The World', the Honda VFR, and found it gutless and boring in comparison with any vee-twin.

Having struggled to improve the ride qualities of several bikes with limited success on some and not at all on others, perhaps I shouldn't embark on the same process with a Raptor. The other Cagivas I have are good to excellent, as is the Ducati ST4, but it sounds as though the Raptor resembles the average Duke Monster in more than just looks! If the roads around here were better, it wouldn't be an issue...

Cheers,

Nick

They are lovely bikes, remember what motor they have... , the forks can be fixed for a few quid, so that they are quite good around, some have gone for a fork replacement, such as the r1 forks I have fitted, but equally others just oil and a spring preload spacer from some old pipe.

Try and get a ride, I love mine, and the roads here in Essex are far from plush, and I tend to stick to back roads.

These bikes are deceptively quick, handle well, and look great.

Hi there,
Get one you wont regret it. A new rear shock makes a big difference even to the front end feel.

https://tikka.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/O ... 0-Articles

I own a v raptor for 4 years now. After a swap of the shock and setup of the forks the most fun bike i owned. Turns heads every where i ride being so rare. Being tall doesnt help the seating position but still not a big problem.

Hi there, I have owned my V raptor from new over 10 years now and it has evolved over the years and now even has a sidecar fitted!
Anyway, ignore the old road tests as everything then was tested with the sporty stuff as a comparison so yes, the raptor is soft compared to a race style set up but is actually pretty decent when compared against more middle of the road stuff.
As with everything, things can always be improved and over the years many on here have done so some with big budgets but most using suitable secondhand and cheaper alternatives. The back end is OK stock but the shock does not always last well but the front is badly set up and underdamped. Oil change and playing with levels have been enough for some whereas many others have replaced forks or internals. A set of ohlins has even been fitted to the front of one on here.
Plenty others on here have just stuck with the standard setup and had no real issues.
Dont decide on one until you have seen them up close and even had a road test yourself to see how you "fit".
They are idiosynchratic in that they far exceed the sum of their parts, and they are a bit of a parts bin special but the style, looks, rarity and engine make them a bit special and great fun to ride.
HTH

Hi, I don't find the suspension harsh, soft or not to my liking. Well, until I had it rebuilt! The front end is now a bit harder I preferred it's saggy old bounce! Maybe it's because it's all new and it needs to settle, and maybe the roads could do with less rough and potholes everywhere than the last time I rode it properly..... Two years and the roads are bloody awful in Yorkshire!!

Every day riding didnt show faults with the suspension. Only when following a honda sp2, aprillia rsv and an kawasaki zx12r in the eifel region in germany the suspension had trouble keeping up. I did change the shock to an aprillia falco item and a respring and revalve of the stock front. Makes a difference but mostly notible with fast riding.

Hi. I'm just down the road in Suffolk. Had my rap thou for six year now so there must be some thing appealing about them . Yes the forks aren't very good , I am still in the proses of improving them ,change of springs & oil is a cheap way of making things better. A Falco shock also helps the rear. It's a light powerful bike with grunt!

Well, with grateful thanks to Steve, AKA Raptor 996, I had my first go on a basic Raptor 1000 yesterday. Interesting, and the ride over rough roads was not as harsh as I thought it might be. I love the style of the bike, and was amazed at how low the saddle is and how high the 'pegs are. Then again, I'd been on the Gran Canyon just before...

Now I have to try and decide if I really need a machine with so much power and acceleration!

Nick

Get a 650. There just as much fun plus you get another 100 Miles out of a tank of fuel.