One of the final Tamburini designs before he departed for Cagiva, the 2nd Kawasaki-powered Bimota delivers the company paradigm of chassis design and lighter weight using state-of-the-art powerplants. Perhaps named for the laser the chassis fabricator wished he had when assembling the 44 frame members, which cradle the 543cc air-cooled Kawasaki inline four. Because the engine is relatively narrow, the red frame holds both sides of the motor and allows the swingarm to pivot at the chain drive sprocket, keeping chain tension constant despite suspension movement. Another innovation is the use of 16 inch wheels front and rear, reducing gyroscopic forces and turning in a little easier.
1983 Bimota KB2 Laser S for sale on eBay
Originally introduced with a 500cc engine, the “S” has the 550, delivering 65hp at 10,500 rpm. A wet clutch is in the engine cases, and drives a 6-speed transmission. Big 280mm disk brakes in front, with 210mm disk at the rear. 40mm front forks and rear monoshock are adjustable for preload and damping. The full fairing is punctuated by small air openings and rounded edges, and uses flush fasteners. Very neat cockpit has Brembo clip-ons and a full-featured instrument cluster courtesy of Kawasaki.
Seeming un-restored and very nice shape, this KB2 shows only a couple of nicks in the seat fairing. Bimotas of any age are very rare, but the Kawasaki driveline can be comforting. This example resides in England but is offered by a eBay dealer from Italy.
Said to be Massimo Tamburinis personal favourite Bimota design and not without good reason with an excellent power to weight ratio and build quality second to none, due to its very high cost when new Bimota only managed to build and sell 177 of them so they very rarely reach the market this being the first we’ve ever seen in the shop, it’s an excellent un restored example with just under 14000 recorded KM’s believed to be genuine having had the same owner for the past 21 years.
This KB2 is a very neat design, very innovative, only 8,000 miles, appearing quite clean and original. More of a TT than an envelope-pushing superbike, a rideable exotic ready for a look…
-donn
