2000 Cagiva Gran Canyon : Ducati 904 Cc Endurosport on 2040-motos

Other CAGIVA description

The Gran Canyon arrived in the USA in 1999 as the Italian alternative to the ubiquitous German adventure-touring twin. Penned by Pierre Terblanche for the Castiglioni brothers’ boutique brand, the GC is compatible with everything from cratered urban asphalt to canyon curves, paved or not. An updated version of the Elefant’s sturdy steel skeleton supports the 516-lb. package, complete with 5.3 gallons of gas. That’s substantially lighter than an equivalent Triumph Tiger or BMW GS. The Cagiva’s stout heart is a fuel-injected, 904cc version of Ducati’s venerable, air-cooled, 90-degree V-twin. The torque span is as wide as the bike’s Arizona namesake, though wind protection from the minimalist flyscreen is less so; the accessory windshield is considerably more protective. A compliant, right-side-up Marzocchi 45mm fork defeats potholes with casual ease, as does the single Sachs shock. The optional Nonfango saddlebags and top trunk are suitably grand and cavernous, providing ample room for a week’s worth of clothing. Add a relaxed, upright riding position and consecutive 500-mile days are a breeze. Despite its relative rarity—only a few thousand were imported to America—the Gran Canyon’s off-road capabilities are well known; its Elefant forebear notched a pair of wins in the grueling Paris-Dakar Rally. On twisty two-lanes it’s a cougar that afterwards commands curious admiration in the Olive Garden parking lot. The Pompone engine rattles while warming-up due to relaxed wristpin tolerances, which is more characteristic than problematic. Maintenance is straightforward if you’re okay with adjusting four desmodromic valves. Servicing the rear cylinder requires extensive disassembly; cutting the rear fender in half improves access. Problems? The voltage regulator’s plastic connector can fail and fry, and cosmetic parts are hard to come by, though engine components can be found at most Ducati dealers. On the plus side, proven perform-ance enhancements abound. San Francisco’s Munroe Motors has sold 40 or so Gran Canyons over the years, shop principal Matt Prentiss cunningly keeping the last one for himself. He advises aspiring owners to examine the quick-disconnect couplings cast into the tandem plastic fuel tanks, as damaged ones leak relentlessly. Ducati couplings are compatible and less prone to damage. Prentiss claims a ride-height-adjustable Wilbers shock and/or a 17-inch front wheel in place of the stock 19 will improve road manners. If you’re thirsty for some Cagiva Kool-Aid, join the online Gran Canyon cult . That sticker on the tailpiece says it all: “Powerful Emotions.” 1 of 15   Cagiva Gran Canyon (1998-2000) Used price range View Cagiva GRAN CANYON 900 bikes for sale to see current asking prices Engine size 904 cc Power 70 bhp Top speed 117 mph Insurance group 12 of 17   MCN ratings Owners' ratings Overall Engine Ride & Handling Equipment Quality & Reliability Value MCN overall verdict  Cagiva’s Gran Canyon is a great motorcycle to ride, with nimble handling, lazy, easy-to-love power and plenty of tuning potential. Sadly, though, it’s let down by crummy component quality and ridiculous servicing costs. It shines around town or on A-roads, but it’s a less assured performer on longer, faster routes. Engine MCN rating Owners' rating The Cagiva Gran Canyon's 904cc V-twin, DOHC desmodromic motor comes from Ducati’s lovely old 900SS. It makes a mere 63bhp at the back wheel, but there’s decent low-down shove from the fuel-injected, air-cooled lump and a goodly mid-range, too. It can quite easily be taken out to 944cc and there a re-chip kit that releases a further 12bhp. Ride and Handling MCN rating Owners' rating The Cagiva Gran Canyon's short gearing, narrow tyres and wide bars make for a quick-turning and flickable machine that loves to romp from corner to corner. The seat and screen are day-long comfortable, and the package still works well with a pillion. The Nissin twin-piston brakes worked well when new, but all bikes will benefit from braided steel hoses. Equipment MCN rating Owners' rating The Cagiva Gran Canyon has little in the way of equipment – you don’t even get a centrestand and the clocks are marked on in kilometres. Watch out when you fill the 20-litre tank via the twin filler caps – it’s easy to overfill and spill petrol everywhere. Quality and Reliability MCN rating Owners' rating The Cagiva Gran Canyon's motor is expensive to service thanks to the Ducati motor’s cambelt system (£700-£800 every two years), the fuel-injection occasionally throws a wobbler, bolts need Loctiting in place and spares are hard to source. Value MCN rating Owners' rating You can pick up a late model Cagiva Gran Canyon for about half the price of an equivalent BMW 1150GS. But the GS is more reliable, more powerful and less of a financial gamble. If you must buy Italian Cagiva’s Suzuki TL1000S-powered Navigator is a much better bet. Find a Cagiva Gran Canyon for sale. Insurance Insurance group: 12 of 17 Compare motorcycle insurance quotes now Model History 1998: Cagiva Gran Canyon introduced. 2000: Cagiva Gran Canyon discontinued. Other Versions None. Specifications Top speed 117 mph 1/4-mile acceleration 13.2 secs Max power 70 bhp Max torque 55 ft-lb Weight 193 kg Seat height 825 mm Fuel capacity 20 litres Average fuel consumption 36 mpg Tank range 155 miles Annual road tax Insurance group 12 of 17 Engine size 904 cc Engine specification 4v V-twin, 6 gears Frame Tubular steel cradle Front suspension adjustment None Rear suspension adjustment Preload, rebound Front brakes Twin 296mm discs Rear brake 240mm disc Front tyre size 100/90 x 19 Rear tyre size 150/70 x 17