Cagiva Motorcycle was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese, Italy. Originally producing small metal products, Cagiva soon entered the motorcycle industry in 1978 with 2 motorcycles which were raced by Gianfranco Bonera and Marco Lucchinelli.
Motorcycles started off as a Castiglioni family hobby but soon expanded to become one of the most dynamic motorcycle companies of its time throughout Europe. In 1978 the Castiglioni family purchased the Harley-Davidson factory in Varese and along with it they also gained the workers and engineers.
With 150 employees and an annual production rate of 40,000 motorcycles, the first 8 models of Cagiva Motorcycles were released to the general public with an amazing response. 1979 was the year that Cagiva officially released and started to sell their fabulous Cagiva Motorcycles.
Cagiva Motorcycles are entirely Cagiva, the company produces every part of the motorcycle including the frame, skins and engines at their Varese, Italy plant.
The innovative Cagiva models feature a fixed competitive price along with their truly Italian charm and looks. From motocross to super-bikes, Cagiva produces them all and sells their Cagiva Motorcycles at over 400 international dealerships world wide.
By 1983, Cagiva entered into the super-bike market with their first non Cagiva engine. This 1000cc four-stroke engine found in Cagiva's first Super-bike is none other than another great Italian engine made by Ducati. But they still technically made their own engine since it was during the mid eighties that Cagiva strategically bought out their biggest competitors, Ducati, Moto Morini and Husqvarna. Making the Ducati engine in their super-bike their own and keeping with their tradition of making their own parts.
In 1986, after the recent acquisitions of Ducati, Moto Morini and Husqvarna, Cagiva opens up Cagiva Commerciale SPA. in Bologna, to enable their motorcycle to be sold and exported to over 50 countries world-wide.
Cagiva developed their own research division in 1987 in the Republic of San Marino, Italy. Known as the Cagiva Research Centre or CRC for short they quickly became the leader of motorcycle technology throughout Europe and probably the world.
Due to their excellent racing record, in 1991, Cagiva bought out MV Agusta but for some unknown reason they decided to sell both Ducati and Moto Morin 5 years later in 1996.
By 1999, Cagiva had now opened 3 factories with the latest being opened in Cassinetta di Biandronno, Varese, Italty in response to the great demand for higher production of the MV Agusta F4 Oro, which had been released the prior year after their recent acquisition of the company.
Cagiva still produces their impressive motorcycles which have also been shown on display at the Guggenheim Museum.
Original Authors: Nicholas
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 02/06/2008
