1.12.2015: Originally we first saw this DB1 SR available in October of last year. It failed to meet reserve reaching just over $31k. Now back on the market, just after the Vegas auctions, it is listed with a $45k buy-it-now. Thanks for all those who emailed with the heads up. Links updated.-dc
Here is some true unobtanium; a still in the crate 1987 Bimota DB1 SR.
For motorcycle collectors, there are two main types of bikes; the survivor and the New Old Stock (NOS). Survivor bikes can be bikes that weren’t popular in their time but are now desired such as the Honda CX turbo editions . They can also be bikes that that were popular but are now hard to find in good condition such as a 1st generation GSX-R 750 slingshot.
New old stock/NOS bikes are quite a different matter; they seem to either be something a dealership had tucked away or something a collector bought and are usually in pristine condition with very low mileage. While NOS bikes ares rare, we do see them reasonably frequently here on RSBFS. But within the NOS segment there is an even rarer sub-group; bikes that are still in their original crates. There have been less than 10 NOS Crate bikes on RSBFS since this sites inception, so this Bimota DB1 SR is really something quite special.
The Bimota DB1 was offered between 1985 and 1990 and was designed by Bimota’s Technical Director and ex-Ducati engineer, Dr. Frederico Martini. The DB1 stands for Ducati Bimota One which makes sense since it was the first Bimota powered by a Ducati engine.
The DB1SR is an even higher performance version of the “standard” DB1. The SR model came with 4-piston front calipers, 41 mm carburetors instead of the standard 36mm, freer 2-into-1 exhaust and more radical cam shafts. The SR model was only made between 1987 and 1989 and in performance it was frequently compared to Ducati’s Laguna Seca/Montjuich/Santa Monica models of the 750 F1s. Confusingly, many of the ealy DB1SRs are labeled “DB1RS” on the fairing. Later models were styled a bit differently with a rear red number plates and correctly labeled “DB1SR”. The DB1SR was successfully raced in Italy by Tiziano Bombardi, winning the 1987 Italian Sport Production Twins Championship, finishing on top of the podium in 8 of the 9 races, with one second place finish.
Here is a portion of what the seller has to say:
This DB1SR is quite possibly one of only two still in their original shipping crates. When the current owner received this bike, he raised the crate top off the platform for only the second time since its departure from Rimini, Italy; the first time being at Canada Custom when it first arrived in our country.
It’s still mounted to the crate base and still shows some floor dust on the tires from the manufacturer wheeling it across the floor to be crated. The current owner simply couldn’t bear to have this beautiful Italian gem hidden in the crate, so he carefully removed the top and packaging so the bike could be displayed still strapped to the base. The crate top and packaging have been carefully stored.
In 1987 only 153 DB1SR motorcycles were made – and of these, most went to Japan. Although I’ve seen a pair of the later SR Serie Finale in North America, I’ve not seen one of these on our shores. This amazing piece of performance art was originally imported by the legendary Frank Romanelli – who indicated that this unit was destined for the market in France and should by all accounts, not have been directly exported to Canada.
So of course now we come to the big question, what’s it gonna take to get it? Well the DB1 is pretty rare by itself. The few previous DB1’s that have appeared on RSBFS have all gone for between 30-40k USD and given the fact that this is a still-in-the-crate bike, I would expect the ebay reserve to be at the upper end of that range. It is certainly an amazing opportunity for a serious collector to acquire a rare bike and given the recent decline of the Canadian dollar, might even be available at a bit of a discount.
-Marty/dallaslavowner
Post Script: The same seller is also offering a nice 1986 Ducati BOTT Racer which can be seen here.
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