Bimota
Encyclopedia
Bimota is a small, Italian
manufacturer of custom and production motorcycle
s. It was founded in 1973 in Rimini
, Italy by Bianchi, Morri and Tamburini
. The company name is a portmanteau derived from the first two letters of each of the three founders' surnames, i.e. Bianchi Morri Tamburini.
Because the state of frame
design and overall packaging was poor, Bimota concentrated initially on building high-quality motorcycles around existing engines. From the beginning they customised the top models of Suzuki
, Honda
and Kawasaki
. During the late 1970s, Bimota also helped develop and build motorcycles branded as Lamborghini
s. In the 1980s they also customised Yamaha and Ducati motorcycles.
Bimota's co-founder and long-time chief designer Tamburini
has been an influential player in the development of other Italian brands, most significantly his work on the popular Ducati 916
, the Ducati Paso
, and MV Agusta F4
; other designers such as current Bimota chief Sergio Robbiano have also been involved with larger-volume manufacturers.
engine in development.
the entire run of the motorcycle. While this was occurring, during the 2000 World Superbike
season, one of Bimota's main sponsors disappeared, owing the company a great deal of money. The combination of events forced Bimota to file for bankruptcy and close their doors.
In 2003, a new group of investors purchased the rights to the Bimota name and designs and re-started the company.
races. Virginio Ferrari
won the 1987 TTF1 title aboard a YB4 EI, partnering with Davide Tardozzi
. Davide Tardozzi
took five in ), and also the 1980
350cc constructor's title. After many years without success, the Australia
n rider Anthony Gobert
caused a major shock in by winning a wet race at Philip Island on a SB8R.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
manufacturer of custom and production motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s. It was founded in 1973 in Rimini
Rimini
Rimini is a medium-sized city of 142,579 inhabitants in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia and Ausa...
, Italy by Bianchi, Morri and Tamburini
Massimo Tamburini
Massimo Tamburini is an Italian motorcycle designer for motorcycle companies including: Cagiva, Ducati, MV Agusta; and Bimota, which he founded, together with Bianchi and Morri ....
. The company name is a portmanteau derived from the first two letters of each of the three founders' surnames, i.e. Bianchi Morri Tamburini.
Because the state of frame
Motorcycle frame
A motorcycle frame includes the head tube that holds the front fork and allows it to pivot. Some motorcycles include the engine as a load-bearing, stressed member. The rear suspension is an integral component in the design. Traditionally frames have been steel, but titanium, aluminium, magnesium,...
design and overall packaging was poor, Bimota concentrated initially on building high-quality motorcycles around existing engines. From the beginning they customised the top models of Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
, Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
and Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
. During the late 1970s, Bimota also helped develop and build motorcycles branded as Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
s. In the 1980s they also customised Yamaha and Ducati motorcycles.
Bimota's co-founder and long-time chief designer Tamburini
Massimo Tamburini
Massimo Tamburini is an Italian motorcycle designer for motorcycle companies including: Cagiva, Ducati, MV Agusta; and Bimota, which he founded, together with Bianchi and Morri ....
has been an influential player in the development of other Italian brands, most significantly his work on the popular Ducati 916
Ducati 916
The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread...
, the Ducati Paso
Ducati Paso
The Ducati Paso was introduced in 1986 with the slogan "Il nostro passato ha un grande futuro" . The name was in honour of racer Renzo Pasolini, nicknamed "Paso", who died on 20 May 1973 in an accident at the Monza race track during the Grand Prix of Italy.-Background:The Cagiva company, founded...
, and MV Agusta F4
MV Agusta F4 series
The MV Agusta F4 was the motorcycle that launched the resurrection of MV Agusta in 1998. The F4 was created by famous motorcycle designer Massimo Tamburini at CRC , following his work on the Ducati 916...
; other designers such as current Bimota chief Sergio Robbiano have also been involved with larger-volume manufacturers.
Products
Bimota models currently in production include the DB5, DB6, DB7 and the Tesi, with a DB8 featuring the Ducati 1198Ducati 1198
The Ducati 1198 is a sport bike made by Ducati since 2009. For the 2011 model year there are two models: the 1198 and 1198SP . The 1198 shares design elements with its predecessor 1098, but has more power and torque, redesigned wheels, lighter headlights, traction control, and lighter fairings ,...
engine in development.
Bankruptcy and rebirth
The V Due, introduced in 1997, had a design flaw with their engines. Bimota was forced to ditch the novel fuel injection system and re-engineer the entire engine. Bimota ultimately recalledProduct recall
A product recall is a request to return to the maker a batch or an entire production run of a product, usually due to the discovery of safety issues. The recall is an effort to limit liability for corporate negligence and to improve or avoid damage to publicity...
the entire run of the motorcycle. While this was occurring, during the 2000 World Superbike
2000 Superbike World Championship season
The 2000 Superbike World Championship season was the 13th F.I.M. Superbike World Championship season. The season started on April 2 at Kyalami, and finished on October 15 at Brands Hatch after 13 rounds....
season, one of Bimota's main sponsors disappeared, owing the company a great deal of money. The combination of events forced Bimota to file for bankruptcy and close their doors.
In 2003, a new group of investors purchased the rights to the Bimota name and designs and re-started the company.
Racing
Their bikes have been raced over the years, winning several early Superbike World ChampionshipSuperbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
races. Virginio Ferrari
Virginio Ferrari
Virginio Ferrari is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. His best season was in the 1979 500cc world championship, when he finished second to Kenny Roberts....
won the 1987 TTF1 title aboard a YB4 EI, partnering with Davide Tardozzi
Davide Tardozzi
Davide Tardozzi is a former Italian Superbike racer and current race team manager.After an unsuccessful attempt at competing in the 250cc Grand Prix world championships in 1984 and 1985, Tardozzi turned his attentions to superbike racing...
. Davide Tardozzi
Davide Tardozzi
Davide Tardozzi is a former Italian Superbike racer and current race team manager.After an unsuccessful attempt at competing in the 250cc Grand Prix world championships in 1984 and 1985, Tardozzi turned his attentions to superbike racing...
took five in ), and also the 1980
1980 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1980 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 32nd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Yamaha's Kenny Roberts claimed his third successive 500cc world championship in a season shortened by the cancellations of the Venezuelan and Austrian rounds. Randy Mamola took...
350cc constructor's title. After many years without success, the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n rider Anthony Gobert
Anthony Gobert
Anthony Gobert is a professional motorcycle road racer nicknamed The Go Show. He was a rider of immense promise and talent who had his career derailed by a personal struggle with drug abuse...
caused a major shock in by winning a wet race at Philip Island on a SB8R.