Few manufacturers in the motorcycle world have created quite as many exotic machines as the fabled Rimini, Italy firm of Bimota. Known for high quality, lightweight sportbikes that are produced in limited numbers – with commensurately high price tags – all Bimotas except one (first person to correctly post a comment as to which model utilized a Bimota powerplant wins a RSBFS T-shirt) have been powered by donated engines from Italian, Japanese and German builders. This YB8 is no exception, utilizing the running gear from the Yamaha FZR1000. Power is up thanks to Weber Marelli fuel injection and a custom 4 into 1 exhaust system, while weight is down thanks to aluminum chassis and exquisite fiberglass/carbon fiber bodywork.
1993 Bimota YB8 Furano in New Zealand
This is likely the most rare motorcycle with primer bodywork ever posted on RSBFS. Normally we shy away from work-in-progress machines, but with fewer than 150 examples available, even a TLC-starved Furano is worth looking at. Just make sure you are looking at her good side, and drool away.
From the seller:
This Furano has 43377km on the clock. This Bimota has been dropped and has cosmetic damage. This bike does run, but has some issues. Revs on stand still fine, but when you rev out when riding it backfires.
While you are drooling, make sure you realize that this rare rocket is located far away from the States – about as far away as you can get and still have decent riding weather. It is also somewhat pricey – starting bid is $8k USD with a BIN of $12,000. Might be worth checking out if you are closer than most of us in the USA, but still nice eye candy if you catch it on the non-primer side. There is some good Bimota info in the advert that looks to be plagiarized from elsewhere (I found a similar description here), but little info on the bike itself. Check out the auction here and be sure and let us know what you think. Good Luck!
MI
That would be the V-Due
Bimota 101 class in session, boys and girls. Bodywork can be repainted. Motorcycles can be shipped halfway around the planet at great expense. Those drawbacks aren’t the true deal breakers with this particular Bimota, however.
“This bike does run, but has some issues. Revs on stand still fine, but when you rev out when riding it backfires.”
Right there, you see hinted at the biggest problem with Furano YB8s. That would be the dreaded early 90’s Weber-Marelli fuel injection system. Period magazine tests reveal they didn’t even run correctly when new. Never fully sorted, always problematic, and UNFIXABLE. Parts are not available, ecu cannot be re-programmed or chipped. I was looking into buying one left abandoned for storage fees at a local dealer for repair (it wouldn’t run right!), called the USA importer Steinbugler for information. Basically, you’re on your own with this model. Early 1990’s Marelli fuel injection parts are not available, period. Can’t swap to carbs easily- would need a complete YB8 electrical system, carbs, airbox, . Said he knew of an electrical engineer in EU who created, adapted parts, and modifed his own complete electrical/fuel injection system to make a Furano run correctly- do YOU have the skills and time to do that at your home? Carbed YB8s and YB10 Deicis are still fine bikes- seek one of those out, and don’t be tempted to sort out a cheap Furano.
Whilst the Bimota Vdue was the First Bimota engined Production bike that they produced in 1997….the Tesi Vdue racing was their first bike that contained their own engine…way back in 1992…and raced in the 1993 Italian Open….
Yup, the 1998 production Bimota 500 V Due is the first and only Bimota built engine. 500cc two stroke with fuel injection and dry clutch. First year bikes had huge issues. Second year bikes were a little better but only 26 were produced. Where’s my t-shirt!!! Hahahahaha.
RandyK: Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
Sixth: Great comments as always. Injection can indeed be a mysterious mistress.
Steven: Mmmm, Tesi. What a great series of bikes!
Jack: You too, can be a winner. Your shirt is here: https://evu.hhv.mybluehost.me/raresportsbikesforsale/rsbfs-merchandise/ 🙂