cagiva mito

Overall verdict
The most beautiful novice 125cc bike money can buy – yes, it even outclasses Yamaha’s YZF-R125 and biggest competitor Aprilia RS125. The Cagiva Mito SP525 is essentially the long-running two-stroke Cagiva Mito 125 brought up to date in every area and then dressed in bodywork to honour John Koscinski’s 500GP efforts onboard the Cagiva V594 circa 1994. In unrestricted form its claimed 30bhp (approx) performance means anyone on their two-year licence probation period can make use of its sporty nature. Effectively two bikes for one price with a lot of fun.

Engine

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Based on Cagiva’s original Mito 125, the SP525’s engine has undergone a revamp to keep it functional within the boundaries of tightening emissions regulations. Two catalysers in the exhaust, an electronic two-stroke oil pump and ECU controlled carb are part of the clean-running process. In unrestricted form the engine is unstressed; derestricted will see the return of explosive two-stroke performance…  

Ride and Handling

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The Cagiva Mito SP525 is nothing but pure sports focussed. Compact, quick steering, light, with firework-like performance in full-power form (14.5bhp restricted). Think 125cc MotoGP machinery and you’ll be very, very close to how the Cagiva Mito SP525 behaves. But it is a road bike, for this reason the bike is also stable and the suspension is road biased (not hard, not soft, just suited to deal with road riding).

Equipment

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Modern running gear and up to date engine ancillaries are part and parcel. If full marks could be given to just plastic then the Cagiva Mito SP525’s bodywork rates 5 out of 5. Brembo single front brake and non-adjustable Marzocchi forks work fine up front, the Sachs rear shock is preload adjustable only.

Quality and Reliability

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Component quality has never been an issue with the Cagiva Mito, it’s just the bikes always, always get a hard time from youthful owners. Keep it clean and serviced and there’s no reason why so many secondhand Cagiva Mitos should look like they’ve only just survived a nuclear holocaust. Engine-wise it should fare well in restricted form. When full power is sprung free the engine will undoubtedly get a hard time – after all it is only a 125cc machine and most seventeen year-olds will struggle to maintain a high performance two-stroke.

Value

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A quid short of £4000 is a lot of money for a 125cc machine in anyone’s book. But what a machine! If you can afford the mostest 125cc machine available then the Cagiva Mito SP525 is exceptional value. Otherwise the Yamaha YZF-R125 and others are very much value for money.

Insurance

Insurance group: 7

Model History

2008: All-new Cagiva Mito SP525 introduced
2009: Cagiva Mito SP525 UK introduction.

Other Versions

At present Mito SP525 is a stand alone replacement model for the Mito 125

Specifications

Top speed	103mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	14.7bhp
Torque	8.5ftlb
Weight	129kg
Seat height	760mm
Fuel capacity	14 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group	7

Engine size	125cc
Engine specification	Liquid-cooled, single-cylinder two-stroke. Six gears
Frame	Aluminium dual beam
Front suspension adjustment	Non-adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment	Spring preload only
Front brakes	1 x 320 disc with 4-piston caliper
Rear brake	230mm disc with two-piston caliper
Front tyre size	110/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	150/60 x 17