There is no doubt about it—Italjet builds some mind-blowing scooters. We covered the last year’s Italjet Dragster 700 Twin, and the new 2026 Italjet Dragster 459 is derived from the same platform, along with some fascinating new technologies.
The 2026 Italjet Dragster 459 Twin has a new SmartShift automatic transmission. This allows the six-speed transmission to be shifted completely automatically or with paddle shifters—there is no foot shift lever. The clutch can operate automatically via an electronic actuator, or manually with a traditional clutch lever. This brings the 459 closer to the scooter world, where fully automatic transmissions are the norm, though the Italjet does not use the usual belt-and-pulley continuously variable transmission.
The Italjet Stiffness Adjustment System brings manual tuning to the rear suspension, though not only via the Marzocchi shock, which has spring-preload adjustability. Here’s how the ISAS works:
Rotating the bar connecting the linkage adjusts the rocker arm’s leverage ratio at the swingarm-to-shock connection point. This changes how forces load the shock. A stiffer setting shortens the effective linkage path for quicker resistance under compression, without touching the damper internals. It’s a rising-rate linkage system used on the Kalex chassis on Italjet’s Gresini racing team.
Powering the 2026 Italjet Dragster 459 Twin is an oversquare 449cc parallel twin. With a DOHC valvetrain and a pair of Akrapovič mufflers, the mill hits 47 horsepower at 9500 rpm and puts out 30 lb-ft of torque at 8000 rpm. Fuel consumption is a thrifty 57 mpg.
Pirelli Diablo Rosso Scooter tires are fitted to the 15-inch wheels of the 2026 Italjet Dragster 459 Twin. Brembo calipers slow things down, with a pair of 270mm discs in the front and a 230mm disc out back; ABS is standard.
Italjet still hasn’t worked out its US distribution, so you might have to jet on over to Italy to pick one up. The price of the 2026 Italjet Dragster 459 Twin in Italy is €9900. Italjet promises “worldwide” availability in March. We’ll see!
2026 Italjet Dragster 459 Twin Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Parallel twin
- Displacement: 449cc
- Bore x stroke: 70 x 58.4mm
- Maximum power: 47 horsepower @ 9500 rpm
- Maximum torque: 30 lb-ft @ 8000 rpm
- Compression ratio: 11.5:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
- Fueling: EFI
- Cooling: Liquid
- Muffler: Akrapovič
- Transmission: 6-speed w/ automatic and paddle shifting
- Clutch: Automatic and manually actuated wet multiplate
- Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Steel trellis
- Front suspension: Marzocchi inverted fork
- Rear suspension: Spring-preload adjustable Marzocchi piggyback-reservoir shock w/ Italjet Stiffness Adjustment System (ISAS)
- Tires: Pirelli Diablo Rosso Scooter
- Front tire: 120/70 x 15
- Rear tire: 160/60 x 15
- Front brakes: 270mm floating discs w/ radially mounted Brembo calipers
- Rear brake: 230mm floating disc w/ Brembo caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 60.6 inches
- Seat height: 32.1 inches
- Fuel capacity: 4.2 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 57 mpg
- Curb weight: 397 pounds
2026 Italjet Dragster 459 Twin Price: €9900 MSRP
