Today marks a formal new beginning for Bimota, as the boutique Italian firm has recently been acquired by Daniele Longoni and Marco Chiancianesi. Helping to commemortate that event, Bimota debuted at the 2013 EICMA show its new S1000RR-powered Bimota BB3 sport bike.
Using the 999cc four-cylinder superbike motor found on the BMW, the Italians quote 190hp for the Bimota BB3, the same as what the Germans have been able to coax from the S1000RR. Weight is 394 lbs dry, also the same as the BMW S1000RR, so on paper the two bikes appear to be quite similar. In person though, they are anything but.
Bimota has applied the same general design aesthetic to the BB3 that it has done with its current DB line of Ducati-powered motorcycles. A steel trellis frame is mated to alloy plates, which comprises the chassis, while choice bits from Brembo, Öhlins, and OZ abound.
The build is clean and efficient, with smooth lines running from the tidy tail piece all the way to the front of the BB3. From the rear, the Bimota BB3 is quite a sight to see, from the front though, the bike feels quite bland, and reminiscent of Suzuki’s current design direction.
Walking away from the unveiling, we were left with the feeling that the headlight feels vaguely familiar, though you will have a hard time pin-pointing which Japanese street bike has been lifted from. Meanwhile, the air intakes feel like a complete afterthought. Still an attractive machine, but it makes us long for Bimota’s of yore.
While the Bimota BB2 was a huge departure from Bimota’s previous work, and you either loved it or hated it, the BB3 is a very conservative journey down Bimota’s recent past — an interesting situation for a brand that has been anything but conservative since its inception. At least, that is our take on it. What’s yours?
Technical Specifications for the 2014 Bimota BB3:
ENGINE
Engine type: 4 cylinders, 4 stroke, 16 valves -Displacement: 999 cc
Bore x Stroke: 80 x 49.7 mm
Compression ratio: 13,0:1
Fuel System: Electronic injection
Battery: Li-Ion extra light battery
Driving assistant: Anti-wheeling, traction control, ABS, electronic shifter
Cooling system: Water-cooled
Emissions: Euro 3
Power: 193 CV / 142 kW at 13000rpm
Torque: 112 Nm / 11.42 kgm at 9750 rpm
TRASMISSION
Gearbox : 6 gear
Clutch: Multi-disc with antislip system
Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
Frame type: Steel trellis and light alloy side plate
Swingarm: Light alloy fully machined, adjustable pivot position
Rake fork angle: 25°
Front suspension: Telescopic fork Ø43mm, adjustable in pre-load, rebound and compression damping
Rear suspension : Monoshock, adjustable in pre-load, rebound and compression damping
Front rim: 3.50 x 17” aluminum forged
Rear rim : 6.00 x 17” aluminum forged
Front brake: Double disc Ø 320mm, Brembo calipers Freno posteriore – Rear brake: Single disc Ø 220mm
Front tyre: 120/70-17”
Rear tyre: 190/55-17” or 200/55-17”
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Overall Length: 2075mm
Overall Width: 1130mm
Overall Height: 830mm
Seat Height: 820 mm
Wheelbase: 1430 mm
Dry Weight : 179 Kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 17 liters
Source: Bimota; Photos: Jensen Beeler / Asphalt & Rubber – Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0
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