The scene met my eyes after I had scaled a spiral staircase to emerge in a two-wheeled Aladdin's cave almost hidden away in the £1.2 million purpose-built HQ that makes up The Engine Room in Buckingham Road, Bicester.

My test ride was to be the space-age Italjet Dragster 50cc scooter, adorned as a replica Leon Haslam Grand Prix pit bike.

I had to wait while the Italian mini-masterpiece was brought to the vehicle lift to take it downstairs.

In the way of all the upstairs motorbike manoeuvring was another, somewhat bigger replica a drop-dead gorgeous 996cc Ducati in the orange racing livery of reigning British Superbike champion Neil Hodgeson.

OK, the engine sizes may well have been a chalk-and-cheese match, but that trend-setting, sexy Italian-designed genius simply oozed from both bikes.

I suppose the most obvious similarity was the use of featherweight trellis frames laid bare for all engineering fans to ogle. But there was more in common such as single-sided suspension, steel-braided brake pipes leading to powerful disc brakes, aerodynamic bodywork and, of course, racing graphics.

The Italjet, just like its big Ducati brother, sets the trends rather than follows them.

Italjet, which has been designing and producing innovative models since 1959, has a strong competition background thanks to the Tartarini family. Their entrepreneurial enthusiasm has continued into their third generation, though company founder Leopoldo is still the driving force.

And though there may be a 40-year history to the firm, a new production plant in Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy, created the Dragster by using the most advanced design software.

It is clear to see that the Dragster is a stunning and original machine. And it lives up to its hi-tech name. Wired magazine called it "the muscle bike of scooters".

The water-cooled 50cc engine comes with such refinements as electronic ignition, an expansion-chambered exhaust and automatic transmission.

And though the bike's performance is restricted by law for 16-year-old riders, it is only too eager to spin effortlessly up to 30 mph at a twist of the wrist But if you pass your test and unleash the full power of the engine, cruising at 45 to 50mph becomes a reality. And 80 miles to the gallon is still possible, so the maker claims. It is the handling, however, that sets the little Italjet apart.

The suspension both front and back mono-shock designs are Italjet patents makes you feel like leaning further and further as you glide round the bends.

The front 'SIS' suspension offers a variation on centre-hub steering and has its single shock nestling, for all to see, between your feet. The rear spring is centrally mounted to counter any sideways twist to the powered wheel.

The fat tyres on 11in and 12in wheels feel glued to the Tarmac and the general sensation of daintiness is helped by the whole bike weighing in at only 97kg. And when it comes to hitting the anchors, hold on! The flame-red calipers, hidden in the black aluminium wheels, are ultra-effective. Not only can the bike turn on a sixpence, but it can stop on one too.

I could find only one gripe. With big biking boots it was difficult to get my toe under the kickstart to push down the centre-stand. I wonder why it needs a kickstart when it has a reliable electric starter?

I can almost hear you thinking...will all that innovation make the Dragster simply too expensive? I'll let you judge.

The 'Leon Haslam' Italjet 50cc Dragster costs £1,999, plus on-the-road charges of £150. The first year's third party, fire and theft insurance, which covers a family of four, is free provided an Italjet lock is always used. The company has pledged a second year's cover for only £150, subject to personal details.

So confident are they of their machinery that the Italian maker offers a terrific three-year parts and labour guarantee, a year's breakdown cover and, in the unlikely event that your bike does need a part, a pledge that if the spares do not arrive at the dealer within seven working days, there will be no charge.

*Test bike loaned by Italjet, Yamaha scooter and Moto-roma dealer, The Engine Room, Buckingham Road, Bicester. Tel: 01869 600 600.