In the world of collectibles, numbers matter. Key numbers are how many were produced, and how many people want one. The number of miles is pretty important, as is matching numbers in some cases. US-based buyers will be interested in the VIN number – fewer than 11 digits can create a registration hassle in some states. But to own the first bike produced in a series – the number 1 machine – is a whole different ballgame. This Bimota SB6 is listed as just such a bike. It is unknown how much of a difference the #1 bike in a series makes in terms of pricing, but I would guess it has to do with how coveted the bike in question might be. The Bimota SB6 is a popular model for the Rimini company (we see more “SB” models on this site than any other Bimota model). Does a serial number “001” make this super rare? All the cool cats seem to think so. Check it out here, and then visit the comments section and let us know what you think. Are you looking out for #1?
1995 Bimota SB6 for sale on eBay
From the seller:
1995 Bimota SB 6, 1st Year sn # 001. GSXR 1100 motor based sport bike.
For serious collectors, the chance to get a sn # 001 bike.
MI
Guessing it’s had a hard life pulling that cat-loving, shirtless, world-class gut around for 25K miles.
Too many cats…
The most exotic machine I have owned is a vtr250 so what do I know? My impression though is that the gauges on that bike look stock… For a Suzuki. Is that right? A Bimota with Suzuki OEM instrumentation? It does not look bad, but it just does not seem right.
The collector’s serial number game never compelled me to seek out a particular example, and I would never pay a premium for one. To me it’s like celebrity past ownership- interesting history, but doesn’t mean added value to the machine (except Steve McQueen of course).
The very fact that this Bimota has over 25K miles tells me that the serial number didn’t mean much to anyone else, either- that would be high mileage for a regular GSXR1100, which this seems to have treated like. It’s just another of Chris Dolan’s flips- buy low, sell high, if doesn’t meet reserve try again in the future.
This bike came with Suzuki engine and instruments. To me, it is SMART! Why pay thousands to develop a speedo etc., I’d rather Bimota put their cash into that sweet straight frame and carbon fiber fork legs! This bike made around 140 r.w.h.p., if I remember correctly. It was awesome. The power plant finally had a chassis that could keep up to it.
Sadly though, this bike has been ridden hard and put away wet! When looking at the instruments you can see dirt/oil on the speedo cover, for example. There are also a lot of scuffs and scratches. Sloppy. If I owned a Bimota there’d be NO dirt on the lenses! Let alone when I offered it for sale. The only good thing about that is that a person could clean it up and have a nice bike. Also, 26000 miles doesn’t seem high mileage to me. Those engines go for many thousand miles, if treated properly. The V.I.N. also means nothing to me.
Bimota didn’t waste precious cash developing instruments, when they could use Suzuki’s. It’s also a GSX-R1100 engine in there as well. Mean mother of an 1100.
Having a bike for over 9 years ( title proves it ) hardly
would be considered ” another flip ” .
The scuffs , as you describe them, are not bad for a 20 year old bike with original paint. ___ At least they are clearly shown in the pictures, so no attempt to hide them. __A lot of modern sportbikes will be worse off with just a couple of years on them.
Demo rider is not me.
Cats not mine but just strays fed once in awhile.
Agee with you, Glenn L. If you go to the listing and go through the pictures, there’s one in particular that reflects clearly and honestly the lack of care and respect shown SERIAL #1. That would be the low angle shot showing underneath the tail section at the exhausts- very telling.
I think y’all are speculating about the gauges. I clicked on the link for a similiar SB6 at the bottom and the gauges look like what I would expect from bimotas of that era. I’m not calling this a bad machine from the wrong side of the tracks but it seems to have had some work done.
I must admit that if I had a bimota’s tach go bad and I owned the bike to be used as a rider, I be pretty quick to eBay up a Suzuki equivalent too.
Just sayin..
The Mark 1 sb6’s had oem gsxr gauges and a few other minor differences to the later Mark 2 machines. Only having one frame bung in the main frame is the most obvious difference. Mark 2 sb6’s had two frame bungs (black rubber bung). So, the gauges on this bike are original.