Bimota has pulled a fast one on us all with their unveiling of the new Bimota DB8 sportbike. Instead of releasing what was expected to be a naked version of the DB7, the Italian brand has instead taken the DB8 in a new direction.
With a biposto (two-seat) configuration, and cheaper price tag, Bimota hopes the DB8 will serve as the brand’s entry level motorcycle instead of the Ducati Streetfighter killer we thought it would be. Pictures, technical specs, and more after the jump.
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.
With the officially unveiling of the 2010 Moto2 race bikes still a few weeks away, a video of Bimota’s Moto2 entry has found its way onto the internet. With the Italian firm linked to a couple other Moto2 chassis, this race bike will be the first officially supported racing effort from Bimota in nearly 10 years. The video, found on YouTube, shows the bike sitting still and taking laps at Binetto race track near Bari, Italy. Check it out after the jump.
Changes to the 2010 Bimota Tesi 3D are subtle, but make the futuristic two-wheeler a bit more palatable for the daily driver. The most obvious change to the Tesi 3D would be the addition of its second seat, which officially makes the bike a Biposta, and allows for a passanger to witness the miracle that is hub-steering. Not stopping there, Bimota has gone on to refine the Tesi design further, making for a less edgy motorcycle. More details on the changes to the 2010 Bimota Tesi 3D after the jump.
A stock Bimota in-of-itself is a special machine, and for some they are the epitome of motorcycle design. This leaves a high hurdle to improve upon, but Long Beach, California firm ArthaWorks Solutions felt up to the task. Taking a Bimota DB7R, the company spared no expense in taking the 1099cc Ducati 1098 motor and placing it into a carbon framed chassis. With a weight of 164kg (361 pounds) and 164hp on-tap, the bike achieves the golden 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. But if you want to get one in time for Christmas, you better be prepared to spend the $59,500 price tag.
MotoBlog brings us pictures of an interesting example, of an already interesting bike, the Bimota Tesi 3D. As a part of a multi-brand collaboration, Bimota has teamed up with designer Daad Dantone to make this blacked out Testi 3D with gold inserts. The Tesi 3D will match other one-off goods made for Daad’s “Rock Gold” display in Milan.
The addition of the new Moto2 class, which is set to replace the 250cc 2-stroke GP class, has caused a number of interested parties to begin work on their entry into the mini-MotoGP. While we expect the Hondas, Suzukis, etc to be in the new series, some of these companies are outside the list of the usual suspects, such as the possible Triumph entry, and now news comes that Bimota may be working on a Moto2 contender. Bimota is focusing their interest specifically on the chassis development side of the 600cc prototypes, and supposedly the boutique firm is ready to produce key components for the inception of the new class.
A return to the World Championship would see Bimota come full circle in their focus as a company. In the early 1970’s, Bimota was focused solely on producing parts for Grand Prix bikes. Renowned for their work with frames, shock absorbers, and chassis development, Bimota worked in collaboration with most of the top motorcycle producers of their time, sourcing power plants from them. We can’t wait to see what they come up with now, its about time we saw Bimota on the premiere circuits again.
Bimota will be revealing more details on their intended Moto2 involvement on their website, .
Source: MotoGP
You may remember the Bimota DB7 Oronero. How could you not? With all that carbon fiber, and rediculous 1:1 power to weight ratio (164bhp to 164kg). It may shock you…now brace yourself…but Bimota actually is going to sell other bikes next year as well.
Shocking? Yes we know. Read more after the jump.
The DB7, in typical Bimota fashion, is a work of art built around a solid power plant. So how does a small boutique firm improve upon the design? They make the bike completely out of carbon fiber. That’s how, more after the break.