This is the first Bimota YB9SR I can remember seeing for sale and the seller unfortunately includes very little information, although the photos are of decent quality. The one detail you might want to keep in mind? The $5,500 asking price which, assuming the bike is mechanically sound, makes it an absolute steal. You probably won’t find the YB9 on a short list of classic Bimotas, but bascially every Bimota is rare, fast, and collectible, although “fast” might be pushing things a bit here. The “9” has nothing to do with the bike’s displacement and simply indicates that it’s the ninth Bimota powered by a Yamaha engine. It’s a bit down on power compared to its stablemates the SB6 and the YB11, which feature the GSX-R1100 and YZF1000R “Thunderace,” respectively, since the YB9 actually uses the liquid-cooled inline four and transmission from the YZF600R “Thundercat” [Ho!] with around 100hp and it even uses that bike’s stock gauge cluster, nestled in between the carbon air-intake tubes.
Bimota obviously made its reputation wrapping lightweight frames and sexy bodywork around reliable powerplants from Japan, sexy powerplants from Ducati, and even the occasional German powerplant from BMW… Their early offerings used tube-style frames like the Verlicchi part from yesterday’s Ducati 750 F1, but by the 1990s they’d moved on to aluminum beam frames as seen here. Access on some beam-frame models for maintenance and repair can be a bit iffy: the massive-looking part used on the SB6 and SB6R is designed to connect the steering head and swingarm pivot directly, but makes access to some parts difficult, like the front sprocket that supposedly requires the engine to be dropped when it needs changing… I’ve heard no such complaints about the YB11 that uses a very similar frame to the one seen here, which makes a certain amount of sense considering the fact that both use Yamaha engines.
This appears to be the carbureted SR model, not the fuel-injected SRi introduced in 1996: the metal knob at the top of the triple clamp looks like it could be the choke. That’s probably no bad thing, as the fuel injection system was exclusive to the Bimota and will probably make maintaining the bike more problematic: with just 651 YB9s built, anything exclusive to the model might be tricky to source. The system did add a few claimed ponies but, like all Bimotas of the period, reviews of the fueling “improvements” varied a bit and I’ve read both rants and raves. And as easy as it should be to maintain the YZF600 engine and transmission, be aware that bits and seals for those forks and the Paioli rear shock might not be so easy and the bodywork… Let’s just say if it were mine, I’d be regularly trolling eBay for panels “just in case.”
From the original Craigslist post: 1996 Bimota YB9SR for Sale
2,653 original miles. 2nd owner. All stock, 1 of 3 imported to the US. Email for more info. Available April 19-26 only.
So the listing contains very little information, but mileage is extremely low, and it looks to be in pristine condition from the few photos provided. And the price? A screaming deal at $5,500. I’m under the impression that the seller needs to sell quickly, which might explain a price more in line with a decent used 600cc supersport. Of course the YB9’s 600cc engine means a modern 600cc supersport would probably destroy it in any straight-line competition, but handling should still be impressive. Maintenance should be affordable, but bodywork might be very difficult to obtain if you push a bit too hard… I’m not the biggest fan of the yellow color with blue graphics, but this is a great-looking bike and possibly the cheapest way to get into Bimota ownership outside the questionably-styled Mantra.
-tad
This price does not make sense!!! I’d probably be all over it if it was nearer.
Nice write up tad, the thundercats ref made me laugh .
As for the bike, the short time frame seems a bit odd…seems like maybe a spouse is selling it while the other spouse is out of town? whomever buys it would be smart to have all the paperwork signed when doing the deal.
This one has a story behind it. It’s been for sale for a while. There are some issues that need sorting if I recall, something about some broken pieces re the carbs? Anyway, buyer beware. Best to see this one before you buy. One of the guys on the Bimota forum went and looked a few weeks ago and left it there….. May still be a good deal, just know what your’re getting into.
Chuck S.
Well done Tad!! Your write up is spot on. As you know I have spoken to the owner of this Kick Ass bike. And being a Bimota fan this is super tempting. If only there was a bit more space in my garage. As far as the “carburetor issue”, its ONLY a broken tiny tab that I believe holds a component for the EXUP system. This will be super easy to repair. Not a fan of yellow either, but looking beyond I could quickly get over this. This bike should be in a happy new home very soon.
Marc
Chuck is correct — this has been on Craigslist for months. I thought about checking it out, but it looks a little questionable. Now if it had a 1,000 ….
I’m sure there is a story behind this one, but unless there’s a frame issue or the bodywork is a mess, a $5,500 Bimota still seems like a good deal, considering that a YZF600 engine/carburetors/etc should be pretty cheap to replace/repair. The fact that it’s been up for months might be more about the bike finding the right audience than that there’s anything significantly wrong with it. See Marc’s comment above. I know him in meatspace [the real world] and trust his assessment.
At a glance, the frame looks very similar to the YB11. So maybe it would squeeze in there? Get some race bodywork and turn it into a track bike?
Hi everyone, i have a yb7 (400cc)
If the frame is straight and electonics work i would not worry about a think. The motor is a Yamaha stock with carbs. I think regardless what shape the motor is in a nice conprehensive carbs and tune up is in order. I am sure had the bike be a different color, like a italian tricolore would had sold immediately. I dind this yellow not to be too flattering for this particular model but i am weird like that so don’t mind me. Good luck with the sale.
I guess I’m in the minority, but I think the colors on this bike look great.
If it were closer to me (New England), I’d be all over it like a cheap suit!
I’m beginning to think this one is a scam. I emailed and said I’d wire funds now for the bike. The seller emailed me from Hawaii saying he’s not sure when he will be back in Cali but that his dad can sell me the bike. Did not provide further contact details. Anyone on this site know the seller?
Hello Motogpdr, I had two conversations with the owner of the YB9. And he sent me additional pics. He was very up front and honest in my opinion. I have absolutely no doubt the bike IS for real. And that he IS moving to Hawaii. If you have ever been there you may have noticed that there is very little place for a bike like this over there. It just would not make sense to send it there. That being said, any interested potential buyer should still lay eyes on the bike in person.
Marc
Going thru my collection of BIKE/Superbike/Performance Bikes mags tonight I came across this YB9SR Vs FZR600 from BIKE April 1995. The Bimota had 2 more HP and 3 more lbs of torque: List price was 10,750 pounds. Not sure what that translates to Dollars in 1995 but the FZR was 6449 pounds
Love those mags! What did they think of the Bimota compared to the Yamaha? I have this heavily worn and dog-eared “All Italian” issue of BIKE magazine that compared The YB9, the Moto Guzzi 1000RS, an Aprilia RS250, and I believe a Ducati 748S. They loved the handling of the YB9 but were pretty critical of it otherwise, if I remember correctly. I don’t have it handy but I’d love to have been able to use it as a reference for this post. And you get extra points for the Cockney rhyming slang screen name.