Exotic motorcycles can be polarizing. For some the cost of admission when new is too high, others will fear service and maintenance woes. But this Bimota SB8R offers an interesting mix of Italian flair, low production numbers and the reliability and support of an OEM Suzuki engine.
The engine is lifted from a TL1000R so service costs are very low, and an owner can sleep soundly knowing that should an unfortunate even befall the V-Twin, it can be sorted without having to hunt down rare parts.
This particular bike has upgraded lighter wheels, and Arrow exhaust system, a few minor period add ons and low miles. There are a few questions that need to be raised though. The seller lists it as a 5 speed, and that is assumed to be a simple clerical error. The bigger question surrounds the turn signals. Units installed on the bike are not correct, and two of them are damaged. It looks like this likely happened while moving the bike around in storage, but it is worth confirming. Strange that the selling dealer would not at least remove them before the pictures.
From The Seller’s eBay Listing:
2000 Bimota SB8R Motorcycle
Limited-production track ready motorcycle
#3 of around 150 produced total
Aluminum & carbon fiber frame
1,000cc engine producing 135hp and 5 speed manual transmission
3,245 miles shown, but the title is mileage exempt
It’s not everyday that we get in a motorcycle as special as this one, a 2000 Bimota SB8R! MotoeXotica was Missouri’s sole Bimota dealership for many years until the unfortunate bankruptcy of Bimota, thus making this a very special bike for us.The red paint of this SB8R is in fantastic shape, with only small imperfections, and the carbon fiber is still in tact. The gold wheels are a nice contrast, and are in good shape. The seat has no visible rips or tears. One of the rear turn signals is missing its cover.
Under the seat lies the 135 horsepower 1,000cc engine, mated to a 5 speed manual transmission, which truly makes this bike a rocket. Out back, it also features an Arrow performance exhaust, which gives this bike a truly one of a kind engine note.
This bike is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 3,245 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
VIN: ZESSB8R0XYR000003
RSBFS posted about his bike in June of 2019 here, and it does not seem that much has changed since that listing. The $13,900 asking price is in line with what others have been listed for. Unsure if the time on the market is starting to turn would be buyers off, or if the pool of Bimota buyers is just too small at the moment. The upgraded wheels is a very expensive and desirable addition, and not really mentioned properly in the listing.
With the sharp rise in price of this era Japanese sport bike one can only wonder if something like this will demand a premium over a similar condition TL1000R.
Last time we saw this one it was June 2019 with a buy-it-now of $17,875: https://evu.hhv.mybluehost.me/raresportsbikesforsale/a-better-italian-twin-2000-bimota-sb8r-for-sale/ Considering the collector market right now, $13,900 sounds about right. -dc
Hey can I get a case of Coke with that?
@Dan…….is there any place that would supply turn signals for this bike……thx
Bimota themselves are amazing to deal with for spare parts. Would have to dig a bit to confirm, but most of this era used some version of a Ducati signal so there are a few aftermarket options, or OEM normally cost $15-30 a piece.
Has the very hard to find Evoluzioni fuel trimmer. Arrow exhaust is a huge plus from every perspective. Like the wheels, aftermarket levers not so much… If all services are up to date, carbon fiber frame spar connectors in great shape and no notoriously leaking clutch cover this may be a good deal for an SB8R.