Will the Cagiva Elefant and Raptor models return in full force now that Harley-Davidson has turned their eyes on them? Most likely, yes. With financial support from the American icon combined with Italian heritage, these models are rumored not only to be revived, but to be powered by engines developed by Harley-Davidson in collaboration with BRP Rotax.

After acquiring MV Agusta and Cagiva, HD tries to make its debut in the world of all-around motorcycles, but there are also plans for scooters

and large-displacement motorcycles. Apparently, the firsts on the line are the Cagiva Elefant and Raptor for which the 140 hp waiting harnessed in the 1125cc liquid-cooled V-Twin of the Buell 1125R and the 1125CR seems to be the most adequate. The year of turning point for these models is likely to be 2010.

According to Solomoto, Harley also discusses with BMW about the possibility of these last to provide single or even twin-cylinder 650cc and 800cc more docile engines for future Raptors. Later on, Piaggio will be assigned for delivering 125cc four-stroke engines for entry-level bikes such as the Raptor/Planet and Mito models so they’ve apparently figured pretty much everything out.

If the brand’s reviving goes according to plans, we should not be surprised if, in a couple of years, Cagiva will launch a superbike built in the pure Italian style and driven by a 1200cc BRP Rotax V-twin engine developing as much as 180 hp. This is also part of HD’s plans for Cagiva, but we can only wait and see what will end up being reality and what not because they tend to seem too promising.