UPDATE: Click here for the release of the 2010 Bimota DB8.
Italian manufacturer Bimota believes they have the perfect bike to take on the Ducati Streetfighter, and it’s called the DB8. Scheduled to be unveiled at the Verona Motor Bike Expo this coming Friday, the DB8 (artist’s sketch above) is reported to be the sister bike of the Bimota DB7. While both bikes will use the Ducati 1098 Evoluzione motor, the DB8 will do it sans clothing, and with at least 155hp on board.
The bike is the logical four-valve progression for Bimota, who has done similar schemes of faired/unfaired motorcycles with its two-valve DB5/DB6 combo. Knowing Bimota, the DB8 will feature top-shelf components just like the DB7, but will have a style that is a marked departure from its Ducati brethren.
Italian designer Oberdan Bezzi inked the photo you see above last year when the naked DB7 was first rumored. His guess is as good as any as to what Bimota has in store for us on Friday.
In addition to unveiling the DB8, Bimota is also expected to show off its HB4 Moto2 race bike, which we leaked photos and video of last week. Bimota’s entry into Moto2 was almost guaranteed as early as last year when the series was announced, as Moto2 is the perfect forum for the Rimini based company to show-off it’s chassis making ability. Also since Bimota already sources its motors from other manufacturers, it has few hang ups about using a Honda powerplant, which has been a bone of contention for other Moto2 entrants.
The Bimota HB4 is the first time Bimota has used a Honda motor in its bikes in nearly 25 years. More on it and the DB8 as we get it.
Photo: Oberdan Bezzi
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