Bimota

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Bimota SpA
Type Private
Founded 1973
Founder Valerio Bianchi
Giuseppe Morri
Massimo Tamburini
Headquarters Flag of Italy Rimini, Italy
Industry Motorcycle
Website www.bimota.it

Bimota is a small, Italian manufacturer of custom and production motorcycles. It was founded in 1973 in Rimini, Italy by Bianchi, Morri and Tamburini. The company name is a portmanteau derived from the first two letters of each of the three founders' surnames, i.e. BIanchi MOrri TAmburini.

Because the state of frame design and overall packaging was poor,[1] Bimota concentrated initially on building high-quality motorcycles around existing engines. From the beginning they customised the top models of Suzuki, Honda and Kawasaki. During the late 1970's, Bimota also helped develop and build motorcycles branded as Lamborghinis. In the 1980s they also customised Yamaha and Ducati motorcycles.

Bimota's co-founder and long-time chief designer Tamburini has been an influential player in the development of other Italian brands, most significantly his work on the popular Ducati 916, the Ducati Paso, and MV Agusta F4; other designers such as current Bimota chief Sergio Robbiano have also been involved with larger-volume manufacturers.

Contents

[edit] Products

Bimota model names reflect the origin of the engines they begin with: Yamaha engined models being with a "Y", Honda models with a "H", Suzuki versions with a "S", Kawasaki versions with a "K", and Ducati versions with a "D". For example, the DB5 and SB8K are the 5th Ducati-engined and 8th Suzuki-engined models.

[edit] 1970s

  • HB1 First Bimota, made in 1972 by Tamburini from the wreck of a Honda CB750. 10 examples were ultimately made.
  • SB2 Introduced in 1977. Used an engine from a Suzuki GS750. Dry weight was 60lbs lighter than the GS750. 140 units made.
  • KB1 Introduced in 1978. Engine from a Kawasaki Z900. 827 units made.
  • SB2/80 Introduced in 1979. Used a Suzuki GS750 engine. 30 units made.

[edit] 1980s

  • SB3 Introduced in 1980. Engine from a Suzuki GS 1000. 402 copies made.
  • KB1 Introduced in 1981. Engine from a Kawasaki Z900. 827 units made.
  • KB2 Introduced in 1982. Evolution of the KB1 using a Kawasaki Z500 engine. 177 copies made.
  • HB2 Introduced in 1982. Used an engine from a Honda CB900F. Dry weight of the Bimota was over 70lbs lighter than the CB900F. 193 copies made.
  • HB3 Introduced in 1983. Used an engine from a Honda CB1100. 101 units made.
  • KB3 Introduced in 1983. Engine from a Kawasaki J1000. 112 copies.
  • SB4 Introduced in 1983. Engine from a Suzuki GSX1000. 272 copies.
  • SB5 Introduced in 1985. Engine from a Suzuki GSX1135. 158 units.
  • DB1 Introduced in 1985. First Bimota to use a Ducati engine, in this case a Ducati 750. 453 units made.
  • DB1S Evolution of the DB1, introduced in 1986. 63 copies made.
  • DB1SR Continuing evolution of the DB1, introduced in 1987. 153 copies made.
  • YB5 Introduced in 1987. Engine from a Yamaha FJ1200. 208 units.
  • YB4 EI Introduced in 1988. Engine from a Yamaha FZ750. 303 copies.
  • YB6 Introduced in 1988. Engine from a Yamaha FZR1000. 546 units.
  • YB6 EXUP Evolution of the YB6, introduced in 1989. Engine from a Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP. Dry weight was 50lbs lighter than the FZR1000 EXUP. 650 units made.
  • YB6 Tuatara Evolution of the YB6 EXUP, introduced in 1989. 60 units made.

[edit] 1990s

  • YB8 Introduced in 1990. Engine from a Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP. 252 units made.
  • YB9 Bellaria Introduced in 1990. Engine from a Yamaha FZR600. 145 copies made.
  • Tesi 1D Hub-steering model introduced in 1991. Engine from a Ducati 851. 127 copies made.
  • YB10 Introduced in 1991. Engine from a Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP. 224 units made.
  • Tesi 1D SR Introduced in 1991. Engine from a Ducati 904. 164 copies made.
  • YB8 Furano Introduced in 1992. Engine from a Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP. 152 copies made.
  • YB10 Biposto 2-seater introduced in 1992. Engine from a Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP. 38 units made.
  • YB8 E Introduced in 1993. Engine from a Yamaha Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP. 169 units.
  • DB2 Introduced in 1993. Engine from a Ducati 900. 408 units.
  • Tesi 1D ES Hub-steering Introduced in 1993. Engine from a Ducati 904. 50 units made.
  • YB9 SR Introduced in 1994. Engine from a Yamaha FZR600. 651 copies made.
  • SB6 Introduced in 1994. Engine from a Suzuki GSX R1100. 1,144 copies made.
  • SB7 Introduced in 1994. Engine from a Suzuki GSX 750. 200 copies made.
  • DB2 SR Introduced in 1994. Engine from a Ducati 900. 157 copies made.
  • Tesi 1D EF Hub-steering Introduced in 1994. Engine from a Ducati 904. 25 units made.
  • DB3 Mantra Introduced in 1995. Engine from a Ducat 900. 454 copies made.
  • Supermoto Introduced in 1995. Engine from a BMW Rotax 650. 376 units made.
  • YB9 SRI Introduced in 1996. Engine from a Yamaha FZR600. 225 units made.
  • Supermoto Biposto 2-seater introduced in 1996. Engine from a BMW Rotax 650. 148 copies made.
  • YB11 Introduced in 1996. Used an engined from a Yamaha Thunderace YZF 1000. Dry weight 33lbs light than Yamaha. 650 units made.
  • SB6 R Introduced in 1996. Engine from a Suzuki GSX R1100. 600 copies.
  • DB2 EF Introduced in 1997. Engine from a Ducati 900. 100 copies.
  • V Due Introduced in 1997. 2-stroke fuel injected 500cc engine made in-house by Bimota. 340 copies made.
  • SB8R Introduced in 1998. Engine from a Suzuki TL1000. 50 copies.
  • DB4 Introduced in 1999. Engine from a Ducati 900SS.

[edit] 2000s

  • SB8K Homogation version of the bike campaigned in World Superbike racing introduced in 2000. Engine from a Suzuki TL1000R. Dry weight 55lbs lighter than the TL1000R. 150 units were required to be made under World Superbike homogation rules. This is the last model sold as Bimota filed for bankruptcy in 2000. New owners relaunched company in 2003.
  • Tesi 2D Hub-steering Engine from a Ducati 1100 Multistrada.
  • Tesi 3D Hub-steering Engine from a Ducati 1000DS.
  • DB5R Engine from a Ducati 1000DS.
  • DB6 Delirio Engine from a Ducati 1000DS.
  • DB6 R Engine from a Ducati 1000DS.
  • DB7 Engine from a Ducati 1098.

[edit] Bankruptcy and Rebirth

The V Due, introduced in 1997, had a design flaw with their engines. Bimota was forced to ditch the novel fuel injection system and re-engineer the entire engine. Bimota ultimately recalled the entire run of the motorcycle. While this was occuring, during the 2000 World Superbike season, one of Bimota's main sponsors disappeared, owning the company a great deal of money. The combination of events forced Bimota to file for bankruptcy and close their doors.

In 2003, a new group of investors purchased the rights to the Bimota name and designs and re-started the company.

[edit] Racing

Their bikes have been raced over the years, winning several early Superbike World Championship races. Virginio Ferrari won the 1987 TTF1 title aboard a YB4 EI, partnering with Davide Tardozzi. Davide Tardozzi took five in 1988), and also the 1980 350cc constructor's title. After many years without success, the Australian rider Anthony Gobert caused a major shock in 2000 by winning a wet race at Philip Island on a SB8R.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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