You may know some of his other creations, the Ducati 916 and MV F4, much better. Many claim though the Bimota SB-2 is his best work. I knew as soon as I saw the pictures this bike had a certain “something” about it. Once I realized Massimo Tamburini penned the bike it made sense. Bimot only began producing bikes in 1971 and some consider the SB-2 their first production motorcycle. When you consider this bike is a 1977 model the styling is pretty darn incredible.
There isn’t much of a description from the seller other than this is one of his two SB-2’s and it is 100% original. No word on why or when the bike was disassembled.
There is more than the Tamburini connection with the SB-2. There is also a Yoshimura connection. The bike’s engine is a punched out 850cc version, courtesy of Yoshimura, of Suzuki’s GS750. With the extra cc’s, stage 3 cams and flowed head the HP was bumped up to 78 @9000RPM.
Fuel tank is aluminum. I’m a bit confused on production numbers. I’m seeing figures from as low as 70 to as high as 140. It looks like it was produced fom 1977-1979.
If you take any time to read about the bike you’ll find nothing but praise for it. It sounds like a very well rounded motorcycle that was an absolute joy to ride: especially at speed. In other words, a must for a Bimota collector.
Bimota art. I read that the concept bike had the gas tank mounted underneath and exhausts exiting above the engine. Tamburini apparently said it was his worst design ever.
There you go, a time capsule from 1977. As of this writing there was one bid of $35,000 and that did not meet reserve. The BIN is $48,000.
Click for the auction and more pictures.
Ian
“Bid with confidence 100% positive feedback”. What a joke- there are only five current feedbacks showing, and one is sketchy, yet he trots out that tired, worthles phrase. Worse is the fact that so much is unexplained and not described:
1.) Why does the bike show only 1 mile, yet is displayed disassembled down to bare frame, motor, suspension. What’s the real story here?
2.) Was this a complete restoration of a long stored bike? Who did the work? What was done?
3.) Why the endless cut and paste of ancient articles instead of solid information on the exact machine you’re offering?
4.) Pictures swiped from 4 different 30 year old sources, but why only 2 poor ones of the completed and assembled bike that’s actually being offered?
5.) Where’s the front fender?
6.) What condition is the motor in, what’s the history on it?
“Bid with confidence” – right, I’ll just wire you $48,000 after the great job you did presenting your machine. NOT.
7.) Your last tow poor pictures of the bike showing it without it’s front fender are assumed to be the way it’s being sold. The original graphics are all cracked- a common SB2 issue. Why wasn’t the bike repainted and graphics done for $48,000? Is that up to the buyer? What else wasn’t done?
sent an email to the seller, here is his response
The last photo of the bike is the SB2 in my warehouse. The bike had the engine rebuilt and the bike reassembled so the photos completely document that work done my authorized Bimota dealer and restoration specialist. The bike was never ridden on the street and is 100% correct and original. The bike is in museum mode and has true 0 miles. Clear title
The SB-2 has been sold to a collector in France. Thank you for all of your interest.
George Villar