The Bimota SB6 was one of the Rimini-based company’s best sellers, with 1,700 built, including 600 of the more exclusive SB6R models like this one. Powered by Suzuki’s GSX-R1100 engine and five-speed transmission, it was a whopping 90lbs lighter than the donor bike and, with top-of-the-line Paioli forks up front and a shiny Öhlins shock in back, connected by a beautiful aluminum beam-frame, the bike was fast and very, very exotic.
While 150hp may not sound especially impressive in this era of 200bhp superbikes, keep in mind that these old-school literbikes had something often lacking in today’s screamers: torque. Suspension geometry may be a little bit laid-back, but that, combined with the flexible engine, just makes the SB6R a great weekend blaster.
Today’s bike has no takers so far with the opening bid at $13,999. In time-capsule condition with zero miles, I’m sure the seller has high expectations for this particular bike, but the SB6 is generally considered pretty entry-level as far as Bimotas go, and these are relatively common and often very affordable.
The original eBay listing from the dealer selling the bike can be found here: 1998 Bimota SB6R for Sale
A nearly 20 year old bike with zero miles on it will obviously need plenty of work if you plan to ride it. The listing contains no real detail about the bike’s history or whether it’s been kept ready to run. That makes it great for collectors who plan to let it sit in a heated garage with their other dozen or non-running motorcycles. But that seems a shame, considering the fact that the GSX-R1100 powertrain makes for such a relatively practical motorcycle: you may have to dismantle half the bike to do any work on it, but at least parts should be easy to find…
-tad
90lbs?! Don,t forget to weigh the factory DUAL exhaust. My 1989 GSXR1100 weighed just under 90 Pounds. The headlight is not the projector beam which was marginal at best. Perhaps an HID system would be an improvement. The enclosed bodywork and long running exhaust mean lots of heat. Spot on about the torque. 120nm at 7000rpm. If you take this motor and fit it to the GSXR750W and install a nice pipe and take a very jaded view of all the clamps and brackets. Then you have a nice bike that goes like stink and gives you that feeling you are being propelled into another universe. You need at least one bike in your garage that does that, AND you need to ride it! Have a great day.
Certainly not one of the better looking Bimotas.
“nm”what is this metric sorcery? ft lbs and hp for performance numbers k thx bye