Motorcycle specifications BimotaDB8 1198 2011 Heart transplant

to power its DB7, Bimota had chosen the twin of the Ducati 1098, and reworked it to offer more gniak than its Bolognese cousins. But the upturn was short-lived, as Ducat' quickly introduced the 1198, with more torque and more horsepower. No matter, because you don't buy a Bimota just for its engine. There's the chassis, the exceptional parts, the sense of excellence distilled from one end of the machine to the other.

obviously, the little Rimini firm wasn't going to sit still for long. Here comes the replacement: the DB8 (the 8th Bimota powered by a Ducati engine). Superb, high-pitched, shuddering, this Italian provokes the same thrill as the DB7. Normal: it's more an evolution than a new bike. The heart of the matter is the Bolognese 1198 spewing out 170 hp. The workshops were happy to modify the mapping to make it even more joyful and sanguine. But don't think of this new Bimota as a pure racing bike. This DB8 is more oriented towards sharing its sportiness. The rear frame has been reinforced to accommodate a passenger, and above all, this DB8 is more accessible. The price has been revised downwards to just under 23,000 euros.

there's no mystery about it - we've had to make savings (purists will howl). Plastic has replaced carbon for the fairing. Suspension will be slightly less efficient. But don't worry, the technical side of things remains a superb realization of carved aluminum parts, and even if its work will be a tad less rigorous, the damping entrusted to Extreme Tech for the rear will be a lot more efficient. extreme Tech for the rear and a beautiful 43 mm Marzocchi inverted fork always delight the eye and the senses; or could it be the magnificent Brembo monobloc 4-piston radial calipers?!?

design-wise, the DB8 is no different from the DB7. Only the more sober color scheme, the new exhaust system and the big red 8 under the forced-air intakes will differentiate them. The scales will also be the judge, as the DB8 weighs in at 171 kg dry, a very contained weight for a twin. In addition to sharing the same engine as its distant cousin, the Ducati 1198, it also boasts exactly the same weight... but at a price that puts it in competition with an 1198 S Corse equipped with Öhlins suspension. But the Bimota logo just doesn't have the same flavor!

M.B - Manufacturer photos via Motoblog.it