Here we have an very rare example of a Bimota: the TESI 3D and it is number 3 of 29 bikes built. Of course the unique feature of these is the swing-arm that replaces the front forks along with hub centre steering. Like any Bimota the bike is beautifully crafted with CNC machined parts everywhere. The front end design was all about eliminating front end dive under braking so that the steering geometry remained the same. The battle was balancing the increased unsprung weight that the complex front end often brought with it. Designer Pierluigi Marconi’s TESI was named named because it was his Mech.E thesis (tesi being thesis in Italian) and it first saw the world in 1990 as the Bimota TESI 1D and quite created the sensation. The D in the name designates it as having a Ducati engine. This bike is the 3rd incarnation and uses an air-cooled Ducati engine with some 95 HP, if you are worried about performance the bike only weighs 370lbs dry and if that is too heavy then there is always the optional carbon body to shave a few more. You know you would all love to have one.
Go and have a look at the eBay auction here
The price this will go for? Well new these bikes were $37,000 so I am sure that the seller will be looking for close to that. It will be interesting to see what it fetches in today’s market. If I had won the lottery…..
AS
Seller has another 2008 3D on their website that I inquired about around a month ago. It has carbon fiber rods that connect the steering to the front wheel (I think I remember reading that this feature made it special), 400 miles, and they want $27,000.