The Italjet Dragster 700 Twin | FIRST RIDE

Italjet have always liked to do things their own way. Whether that be the myriad of quirky or iconic bikes they produced over the years, or, of course, the one model we scooter nuts remember best. The original Italjet Dragster.

Well, Italjet, now under the direction of the original owner’s son, Massimo Tartarini, has done it again.

Tunnel vision or a never-ending quest to create?

New Urban Superbike

Following on from the success of the ‘new’ Dragster around the world, Massimo wanted to create something new and unique in the two-wheeled world. His vision was for “A new urban superbike”, a fusion of bike meets scooter but with an Italjet twist.

This project, much like the new Dragster 125/200/300 that came before it, went through various incarnations and prototypes. Finally, it evolved from the single-cylinder 500GP concept we saw in 2022. Then the engine was changed to a twin cylinder and became the Dragster 559 Twin in 2023. At EICMA in 2024, the Dragster 700 Twin was presented, and that’s what we have here in production-ready form.

This is the Premium Edition model, available to order now

Hybrid

We’re not going to call it a scooter, despite the step-thru design (well, step up and through to be precise). This is a hybrid. The Italjet Dragster 700 has carved its own niche. In a world where we all too often play it safe, this is a machine with attitude, designer names and the kind of design only an Italian manufacturer could come up with. It’s a risky strategy, but Massimo, like his father before him, is a visionary prepared to put his money where his mouth is.

Designer names

It’s been three years since the prototype for this scooter was wheeled out at EICMA. That time has been used to refine, improve and bring the vision to life. It’s also seen a few different engines being used, as mentioned earlier.

Benelli TK 702

The Dragster 700 now lives through a twin-cylinder Benelli engine. It’s geared and shares many components you’d expect to find on a high-end superbike. Names like Brembo and Ohlins set the tone for what is likely to be something quite special. This isn’t just a freaky-looking scooter without the clout to back things up. This is a 68bhp machine with 70Nm of torque at 6,000rpm and oodles of character. For those of you on an A2 licence, a restricted version will also be available.

Imola

Italjet not only build bikes differently, but they also launch them in their own way.

We were taken out to Bologna, Italy’s Motor Valley, a place where the likes of Ducati and Ferrari call home – it’s also Italjet’s home turf.

From there, we were dropped off at the world-famous Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. The Imola F1/MotoGP track – right in the centre of the city.

Gresini Racing

If you follow MotoGP, you’ll know that Italjet is the primary sponsor of Gresini Racing’s Moto2 team. When we arrived at the track, their two riders, Albert Arenas and Darryn Binder, were doing laps on the Dragster 700. Next up was an F1 car. It was that kind of a day.

Around three hundred people attended the main event. They included importers, dealers, parts manufacturers, 40 riders from various bike/scooter publications around the world, and, of course, the Gresini riders and team. It was all done with typical Italian flair and glamour.

Italjet’s Massimo takes centre stage with some of the Italjet team, including the UK’s Bobby Beck (second left)

Massimo Tartarini

“It was a true honour to have the Italian and international press gathered at the iconic Imola Circuit for the launch of the DRAGSTER 700 TWIN, following the extraordinary response to the Limited Edition, which sold out in just two weeks, testifying to the enthusiasm our brand arouses among enthusiasts,” said Massimo Tartarini, President and CEO of Italjet. “The DRAGSTER 700 TWIN stands out for its unique personality: racing soul, unconventional design, and cutting-edge technology, for an engaging and fun driving experience that perfectly embodies the Italjet philosophy. A special thanks to the Gresini Team, whose valuable collaboration made the launch event even more exciting, offering the press and guests the opportunity to experience the adrenaline of the track.”

A motorcycle shouldn’t just go fast, it should also attract attention” Leopoldo Tartarini”

Presentation

It’s still very hot in Italy in September, 29 degrees trackside, but before we could get out there and ride this new machine, we had a lengthy presentation to sit through. It detailed a small part of Italjet’s history.

It’s a fascinating story. Leopoldo Tartarini (Massimo’s father) was a keen motorcyclist – as was his father before him.

Leopoldo was a gifted racer, riding for Moto Guzzi, Benelli and finally Ducati. An injury forced him to sit out most of the 1957 season. With a thirst for adventure and feeling an obligation to his contract with the factory team, he used a Ducati 175 and set off on a round-the-world ride. It was something almost unheard of at the time. It resulted in masses of publicity for both him and Ducati.

Upon his return, Leopoldo was one of the most well-known motorcyclists in Italy, and he capitalised on the fame he had amassed during his year-long ride to open his own factory, Italemmezeta. The Italjet name was first used in 1962 on a sports moped he designed, but it later became the brand we all know today.

Check out that yellow kids’ bike and sidecar in the background!

Italjet museum

The mezzanine level of the Imola circuit had been transformed into an Italjet museum for the day, with just some of the many bikes and scooters built under the Italjet name. It showed the true diversity of the manufacturer, although it strangely didn’t include an original Dragster.

With a family history like this, it’s hardly a surprise that Massimo would go on to take over the business. It’s not always been plain sailing, though, and after the demise of the original Dragster, Italjet was mothballed for many years.

Naysayers saw them wheeling out various ‘new Dragster’ models at shows, but never really expected them to get things off the ground. Eventually, they proved everybody wrong with the launch of the new Dragster, which has gone on to win the brand new devotees.

Malossi run a one-make Italjet Dragster race series in Italy, I wouldn’t bet against a Dragster 700 series…

Dragster World

The new Dragster range may not appeal to many die-hard two-stroke Dragster fans, but the model has carved out a niche of its own and become a scooter with a cult following, especially in places like Thailand.

UK owners haven’t been as lucky; Italjet fell out with their UK importer before the 300 version was released. A stalemate has ensued, the importer still has stock of the 125 and 200 and Italjet know they’ll try to muddy the waters with a new replacement importer. Hence, no 300s have been imported into the UK, and the limited-edition 700 model will be brought in directly from Italjet.

That is all set to change in 2026, though. The company are in talks with a couple of interested parties, so Italjet should be back soon. If that doesn’t come to fruition, they will set up a UK hub and distribute themselves.

Iggy gets set to ride out of the garage for his 3-lap session

Limited track time

Back to the 700 launch. With 40 riders and just seven bikes, time was tight to ride this new machine. In fact, time was so tight that we were each only allowed to do three laps of the stunning 3-mile anti-clockwise circuit.

Imola is a strange track; it’s bang in the centre of town, but the topography means most of it is hidden. Looking out from the start/finish straight, you can literally only see the first and last corners. You have no idea where the track goes. Three laps weren’t going to be enough… Ah, well, it’s all we had!

Track mode activated

Leathers on, and a black version of the Limited Edition Dragster 700 was allocated to me. My group were to be the first out on track.

Before we went out, both ABS and traction control were turned off, and the engine mode was set to ‘Track’. The large dashboard screen looks good but we didn’t get a chance to study its functions. All I saw on track was the speedo and flashing red tacho when I hit the redline in most gears.

Bike or scooter?

The Dragster 700 runs a twin Akrapovic exhaust; both silencers are high-level and exit at the rear. They sound nice and meaty in road trim (as we were riding), and I’m told the race version of the exhaust sounds awesome – that will be available soon.

Sitting astride the 700, the likeness between bike and scooter is truly blurred. It has a scooter-like empty space where you’d expect a fuel tank to sit. I actually put my hands on the imaginary tank whilst waiting in pit lane. All the controls, handlebars, rear brake and foot gear change are as you’d find on a bike. It also has a six-speed manual box.

You could argue that all the practical aspects of a scooter have been removed. For instance, you’re not getting storage space under the seat or a space to hang your bag of shopping. The Dragster also has a chain that will need lubing and adjusting.

Like any sports bike, this machine is designed to make a statement and provide some excitement. If you want to stand out, this could be the perfect choice for you. If you don’t, you buy a large capacity scooter or middleweight bike instead. This is something different.

Attitude

Snicking it into first and letting the clutch out as I exit the pits, the engine note starts to growl. This thing has character. It also picks up speed much quicker than I expected. This makes me happy.

Imola is a big track; yet the 700 didn’t feel underpowered at all, which was surprising.

If you’re coming to the Italjet from a twist & go, or geared scooter, the 700 will feel fast. It makes 68bhp, so it should. If you’re a sports, middleweight or superbike rider, you may miss the power of your regular steed, but this thing can still get you into trouble. It has a top speed of 118mph, coupled with some attitude; it may well goad you into getting nicked and it’ll certainly get you noticed.

High end

During our short time on track, I was impressed with the whole package. It felt like the high-end machine its price tag alludes to. Everything felt pukka, from the racing-derived Brembo radial callipers and twin front 270mm floating discs to the Marzocchi upside-down forks, Ohlins rear shock and Pirelli Corsa tyres. Unsurprisingly, the 700 dresses in high-end accessories from the bike world.

I also thought it felt quite a roomy machine, so taller riders shouldn’t be overly worried. There were a few riders over six feet tall, and I heard no complaints.

Adjustable

Most stuff is adjustable as well. I found the rear brake pedal was a bit of a stretch for me but that is also adjustable. The rear suspension uses a patented system with a remote adjuster that allows the behaviour of the shock to be varied. It can fine-tune the stiffness of the suspension, rather than just the preload.

Make no mistake, this isn’t just a bike cobbled together from parts lying around the Bologna workshop. Every detail has been planned and well thought out. Every component has been chosen with care and without compromise.

More to come

I’d have liked a full session on track and a road ride to really get a feel for the Dragster 700, but sadly, three laps were all we had time for. As a result, I can only give you a very basic first impression of how things feel. We will be doing something much more ‘real world’ with it as soon as possible, though.

Dragster 700 Premium Edition – order now…

Patience is rewarded

If you’re one of the lucky 700 around the world who ordered the Limited Edition model, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Your patience will be rewarded when orders start going out in October.

Order now

If you’re a potential buyer and this quick test has whetted your appetite, you can place an order now for the Premium Edition. That model still comes with Akrapovič exhausts, but Marzocchi suspension replaces the Öhlins of the limited edition model.

The Premium Edition is expected to arrive in January 2025. It comes with front and rear cameras fitted as standard; they’re discreet and able to record your rides. It’s available in a choice of two liveries, black and yellow, or red/white and anthracite. It costs €13,999 (£12,162) plus VAT.

Order yours now at Italjet.com

Words: Iggy

Dragster accessories

If you’re a new or original Italjet Dragster owner, ScooterLab make screens, seat cowls and a few other accessories for them. You can see the range in our SLUK Shop.