What Could Have Been – 1997 Bimota V-Due

1997 Bimota V-Due on eBay

On paper, it was everything that we all asked and begged for… a roadgoing version of the 500cc two stroke monsters that we watched Mick Doohan and crew wrestle around the track in Grand Prix racing.  Unfortunately two strokes, for all of their performance legend and lore were burdened with characteristics that some (The Fun Police) found distasteful.  They were loud and dirty and smoky and anybody who rode one became the scourge of the neighborhood.  The Japanese manufacturers had left two strokes in the past and they weren’t coming back.  Until Bimota decided to take what would ultimately prove to be a suicidal risk.  The numbers were there.  110hp and a claimed 300lb dry weight was the closest thing that any of us would ever get to our GP fantasies…. and it was beautiful.

Unfortunately and catastrophically for Bimota… the V-Due just wasn’t sorted out.  The initial excitement was quickly tempered by some scathing reviews by the European press and when customers eventually rode their machines they all stunk.  Customers reported seized engines, oil leaks and a power delivery that was so erratic that the V-Due was practically unrideable.  Many simply returned their bikes to the dealships.   The initial diagnosis blamed the fuel injection and Bimota attempted to remedy the situation by retrofitting carbs, but it was too little too late and the damage was done.  Bimota filed for bankruptcy in 1999.  Several years later, with new investors and properly sorted out, a few hundred V-Dues resurfaced as new 2003-2004 models with carburetors.

This particular model is basically showroom new, with only 47 kilometers on the clock and given it’s dubious legacy, you have to wonder if that’s because it never worked.  The seller’s ad doesn’t mention anything about the running condition, but it does state that it’s still fuel injected… so proceed with caution!  1997 Bimota V-Due on eBay UK

BIMOTA 500 V DUE 500 1997 Covered only 46 KM from new in immaculate condition complete with both keys. Bike is originally from Germany will be registered to the new owner supplied with a UK V5 and new 12 months MOT. Very rare investment opportunity fuel injection 500 cc Two stroke model.