Italian Charm: 1999 Bimota DB4

Bimotas are not exactly known for their scary antics and cartoonish horsepower. They are instead renowned for being rolling exhibitions in balance, handling and craft mastery. The brand has had it share of screamers — the 1100cc SB6R and the Suzuki TL-1000R-powered SB8 come to mind — but it isn’t their stock and trade. 1999…

Baby Bimota: 1973 Bimota HB1 350

What you are looking at is somewhat of an oddity. Most people likely do not even know this model existed in the Bimota lineup – probably because it didn’t. Whereas the HB1 was officially a frame/suspension/bodywork kit designed around the Honda CB750, the HB1 350/400 provided a shorter list of components designed to augment Honda…

Big In Japan – 1988 Bimota YB7

Seen on RSBFS back in May, this YB7 is still available, links updated to current auction. – donn Bimotas have always had a fan base in Japan, and the YB7 was dreamed almost specifically for their progressive licensing laws.  Just 399cc and 352 lbs. dry, it’s a rarity with only 321 made over 1987-88.  The…

Eyes Wide Shut – 2008 Bimota DB6R

Using Ducati’s air-cooled 1100 desmodue, the rest of the Bimota DB6R pushed a lot of boundaries in the name of light weight and design.  Spot-on ergonomics and handling had many reviewers proclaiming it the best naked bike ever.  Certainly one of the most unique, and rare as only a $35K naked can be. 2008 Bimota…

Gone Too Soon: 1997 Bimota SB6R for Sale

The SB6R could have been Bimota’s biggest seller of all time. Certainly the earlier SB6 sold in quantities that nearly qualify as mass production, with nearly 1,200 built. Unfortunately, the utter failure of the overreaching two-stroke V-Due low-sided the company into a crash barrier and the GSX-R1100-powered SB6R was not part of the brand’s renewal, killing…

Afterparty – 1999 Bimota SB8R

Up for auction just after its appearance at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering, this signature Bimota didn’t trophy but is still quite special.  Developed to help Bimota out of a near bankruptcy, the SB8R was Suzuki V-twin powered with a gorgeous hybrid chassis.  Generally one of the more affordable Bimotas, the SB8R is still a rare…

California Dreaming: 1997 Bimota YB11

In the wonderful world of Bimota, the first letter of the bike designation always represents the manufacturer of the engine. In the case of this YB11, it is Yamaha. This is the 11th model of Yamaha-powered Bimotas, one of the most potent bikes Bimota has developed, and the last of the Yamaha-Bimota series ever produced.…