Cagiva Gran Canyon 900ie (1997 – 98)

Cagiva’s Gran Canyon 900ie embodies the Italian marque’s rich heritage, thanks to its close ties with Ducati. At its heart lies the renowned air-cooled V-twin engine, a staple of Ducati’s 900SS model.

The Ducati-supplied motor is reworked by Cagiva, featuring their own airbox and exhaust system, as well as Weber-Marelli fuel injection specifically tuned for this application. This potent combination delivers strong performance courtesy of Desmodromic valves, though they do require attention to maintain.

In terms of design, the Gran Canyon exudes an attractive, striking aesthetic with neat bodywork that belies its size compared to competitors. Its long travel suspension provides a comfortable ride on pavement, although some may find the front brakes wanting.

Taking the 900ie out for a spin reveals a motorist’s delight – the air-cooled V-twin now benefits from flawless fuel injection and a lighter flywheel, imbuing it with a free-revving character. The six-speed gearbox is a masterclass in shifting slickness, making clutchless downshifting a breeze.

The 900ie returned an impressive 42.5 miles per gallon during testing, which should rise to around 45 mpg in normal riding conditions. With over a decade of refinement behind it, the Gran Canyon 900ie is without doubt a well-sorted and capable machine that leaves nothing wanting.

Key Specifications

*n/a – information not provided by manufacturer

All Specifications

Make & Model

Engine

Performance

*n/a – information not provided by manufacturer

Transmission

Electrical & Electronics System

Chassis & Suspension

Wheels & Brakes

Dimension & Weights

Features

• 904cc air-cooled desmodromic V-twin engine
• Ducati-supplied engine with Cagiva’s own airbox and exhaust
• Weber-Marelli fuel injection system
• 6-speed gearbox
• Slick-shifting transmission
• Clutchless shifting
• Fuel injection mapping is flawless
• 42.5 miles per gallon in testing, expect 45 mpg in normal use
• Long travel suspension for good road handling
• Attractive and striking design
• Neat bodywork makes it look smaller than competitors
• Marginal front brakes
• Desmodromic valves allow strong performance but are tricky to maintain
• Lightweight flywheel gives the motor a free-revving character
• Positive, slick-shifting 6-speed gearbox