It’s Good to Be Single: 1995 Bimota BB1 Supermono Racer

It’s pretty amazing to consider how far motorcycles have come in terms of performance over the past 30 years. Today’s superbikes weigh in at around the 450lb mark while making in excess of 200hp, with a comprehensive suite of electronics to make sure all that performance doesn’t murder us. But while modern superbikes are amazing technological achievements, it’s easy to forget just how much fun a lighter, less powerful machine like today’s Bimota’s BB1 can be.

Back in 1995, “high performance” machines were decidedly less impressive than today’s road-going missiles: Ducati’s 916 made a claimed 114hp and weighed in at around 450lbs, while the era’s GSX-R1100 made 156hp and weighed in at a portly 560lbs wet… The Bimota BB1, by comparison, made just 48hp, but weighed in at a svelte 319lbs [dry]. It was very light, very exotic, and very expensive.

Since the company’s beginnings, Bimota has almost exclusively designed their bikes around engines produced by other manufacturers: Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Ducati have all supplied powerplants to be wrapped in lightweight frames and sleek bodywork by the Italian company’s designers. As indicated by the name, the BB1 was the first Bimota to be powered by a BMW engine.

The engine was produced by Rotax and found in BMW’s practical, affordable F650. Displacing 652cc, it was a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder and a pair of carburetors that was backed by a five-speed gearbox, providing a top speed of 110mph. The frame was an aluminum trellis design, with distinctive oval-section tubing also seen on the Bimota Mantra. Fuel was carried in a cell beneath the engine to improve the center of gravity and the second front brake disc/caliper was an optional extra, as seen here on this race-prepped example.

From the original eBay listing: 1995 Bimota BB1 Supermono Racer

BILL OF SALE ONLY. PLEASE NOTE! VEHICLE SHIPS OUT OF LAS VEGAS, NV. SHIPPING DIRECT TO PURCHASER’S DOORSTEP AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED, 88PT INSPECTION AND WARRANTY. NATIONWIDE FINANCING AVAILABLE, CLICK “GET FINANCING” FOR CREDIT APPROVAL.

THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A TITLE, IT IS SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Bimota’s BB1 Supermono first appeared at the 1994 Cologne Motor Show and was the boutique brand’s first-ever model powered by a single-cylinder engine. The BB1 (or Bimota BMW 1) was also the Rimini firm’s first model to feature a powertrain from a BMW, though the liquid-cooled, 652cc, four-stroke single in the BB1 was actually produced by Austrian-outfit, Rotax.

Originally utilized by the Bavarian brand’s F650 “Funduro”, the big thumper was paired with a 33mm Mikuni BST carb and a custom GP-inspired exhaust system terminating in a pair of underseat mufflers. The BB1 put down 48hp at 6,500 rpm and 42.7 ft-lbs of torque at 6,000 rpm, which was enough to propel the sub-400 lb model to a top speed of around 100 mph.

The BB1 Supermono was originally created by the small marque to compete in the ‘90s Italian Supermono Championship, alongside the likes of Ducati’s legendary Supermono. The race-sped BB1 used a 725cc version of the production model’s engine that was capable of delivering 75hp at 10,000rpm. Unfortunately Bimota couldn’t iron out the kinks in time, and the Rimini-made Rotax-powered single only went on to win a single race.

A big part of what made the Supermono so noteworthy was its top-shelf running gear and advanced chassis design. The single was constructed around an oval-section aluminum alloy tube frame and swing-arm — both of which were derived from the firm’s Mantra model — married to a 43mm Paioli fork and rear shock. The bike also got forged Marchesini rims and a single 320mm disc and four-pot Brembo caliper, though a second front disc was offered as a factory add-on.

The BB1 was dressed in unmistakably ‘90s Italian bodywork. The model’s fuel-cell was actually housed in the belly-pan under the Rotax mill, resulting in a very low center of gravity. A faux tank cover up top actually sports a nifty little glove compartment, while providing leverage in the corners. Other trick little accouterments included carbon fiber fenders and instrument housing, and front turn signals integrated into the back of the mirrors — a feature that more-than-a-decade-later became a staple on sport bikes.

In Giorgio Sarti’s book, Bimota, 25 Years of Excellence (Giorgio Nada Editori, 1999), he explains that the Supermono was well-received in Germany and Japan, though the rest of the global market showed little enthusiasm for the BB1 upon its release. This, compounded with the relatively minute number of units produced, makes BB1 specimens incredibly rare today, especially on American shores.

With extremely light weight and potent and punchy one-cylinder engines, Super-singles are some of the most enjoyable, characterful, and grin-inducing track day toys in existence. While there are a myriad of aftermarket kits to turn 450cc motocross bikes into lightweight road-racers, none of them carry the pedigree, prestige, or the overall exotic appeal afforded by factory-made Italian supermonos.

Obviously, this bike is set up for the track. Which is fitting because when new, the BB1 was raced against bikes like the Ducati Supermono in a singles-based race series. Race examples were bored out to 725cc and made 75hp, although it’s not clear if this particular machine is a road bike set up for racing, or one of the original racing machines. At $18,995, it’s pricier than road-going BB1s I’ve seen for sale, but looks to be in sharp condition and would be perfect for track day fun, competition, or as a display piece for your home or office.

-tad