Bimota KB998 Rimini 2026: The WSBK Race Bike Hits the Road!

Cover image optimized for the 2026 Bimota KB998 Rimini. The image features a three-quarter-front studio shot of the motorcycle in its red, white, and black color scheme, set against a gray background with green lighting on the floor. Text overlays are visible: in the upper left, a green banner reads “STREET-LEGAL!”, followed by “BIMOTA KB998 RIMINI 2026.” In the bottom right corner, the phrase “THE WSBK WEAPON ESCAPES THE TRACKS.” The motorcycle itself shows subtle technical modifications to the engine skid plate, featuring green accents and the inscription “EVO E5+.”

The Bimota KB998 Rimini sports a green accent. Much more than just a cosmetic flourish, this touch of color hides a crucial technical change: its compliance with the Euro 5+ emissions standard. While the spec sheet admits to a few minor sacrifices in the name of environmental protection (3 chevaux less, an extra petit kilo, and a very slight drop in torque), the real story lies elsewhere. Thanks to a reprogrammed ECU and new mechanical sensors, this high-performance sports bike has finally earned the precious permit it was missing: the right to legally ride on public roads.

That was the great paradox of the 2025 model. Originally designed as a limited-production model to meet the homologation requirements of the World Superbike Championship (WSBK), the first version featured all the necessary road-going components (headlights, mirrors, mounts) yet was not permitted to leave the racetrack. This anomaly has now been corrected for the 2026 model year, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy the volcanic temperament of this Italian marvel on everyday roads.

From the asphalt of the road to the WorldSBK circuits

Alex Lowes au guidon de la bimota noire en novembre 2024 — The KB998 race bike ridden by Alex Lowes. Source: WorldSBK

This Euro 5+ certification is far from trivial: it directly bridges the gap between the road and the racetrack. Bimota went to such great lengths to bring this road-legal version to market precisely to meet the strict criteria of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) regulations.

And the investment is paying off! On the racetrack, the race version of this machine is making waves. British rider Alex Lowes is currently shining on his KB998, firmly holding onto 4th place in the season’s provisional standings. This remarkable performance demonstrates the exceptional potential of the chassis developed in Rimini, paired with the engine from the Akashi-based manufacturer.

Follow the race: Don’t miss a moment of the Italian manufacturer’s performance, and check out the complete provisional overall standings for the 2026 Superbike season on Motoplanete to see if Lowes can lift Bimota onto the world podium.

A masterpiece of carbon fiber and aluminum, machined from solid blocks

With this “Rimini” version, the Emilia-Romagna-based craftsman returns to his historic obsession: haute couture applied to racing. Far from the geometric eccentricities of the Tesi lineage, the KB998 adopts more conventional yet magnetic lines.

The magic lies in the obsessive attention to detail. The chassis is a showcase of precision-crafted components, starting with the aluminum swingarm—entirely machined from a solid block—and the sumptuous side plates. These side plates encase a tubular chrome-molybdenum steel trellis frame and incorporate an eccentric system that allows the shock absorber mounting height to be adjusted.

To round out this exclusive package, Bimota has clad its creation in a bodywork made entirely of carbon fiber: from the front fork to the winglets, including the engine cowl, fenders, and fuel tank fairing. Forged aluminum Marchesini wheels, fitted with Pirelli Supercorsa SP tires, round out this exceptional package.

For more information: Find all the detailed technical specifications and dimensions of the bike on the complete Bimota KB998 Rimini 2026 motorcycle spec sheet on Motoplanete.

The Paradox of Suspension and Braking

However, at this price point and level of exclusivity, certain technical choices made by the Rimini factory raise questions. Why not opt for Swedish Öhlins suspension, from which only the steering damper is sourced? The Showa BFF inverted fork and the BFRC Lite monoshock do a remarkable job, but they’re taken directly from the Kawasaki ZX-10R, just like the switchgear, headlights, and instrument cluster. The same goes for the footpegs, which are beautiful but not adjustable.

The braking system is equally hit-or-miss. The system is formidable, featuring 330 mm rotors clamped by Brembo M50 4-piston monoblock calipers. But while the high-end Italian competition has moved on to Stylema calipers—or even the very latest Hypure models—Bimota sticks with a previous generation. A false economy? No, rather a pragmatic choice, offset by sublime details like the carbon fiber scoops on the front fender designed to direct cool air directly onto the calipers.

197 chevaux and the heart of the Kawasaki ZX-10RR

Beneath its carbon fiber armor beats a heart well known to WorldSBK fans: the inline-four engine from the Kawasaki ZX-10RR. True to its tradition of borrowing the best engines on the market, Bimota offers a configuration here that delivers 197 chevaux at 13,200 tr/min and 110 Nm of torque for the road, while the race versions lining up on the Superbike grid will spit out an additional forty or so chevaux. The engine’s power is channeled through a titanium Akrapovic exhaust system equipped with an EXUP valve.

The onboard electronics are a direct adaptation of cutting-edge Japanese technology, managed by an inertial measurement unit:

Predictive Traction Control (S-KTRC)
Cornering ABS (KIBS) with engine braking control
Standard Up & Down Shifter
Anti-wheelie and Launch Control (start assist)
Cruise control and 4 riding modes selectable via the 4.3-inch TFT display.

A historic departure from naming conventions

To compete in WSBK, Bimota must produce at least 500 units of this machine. This represents an industrial challenge for a boutique manufacturer, resulting in a limited production run and an exclusive price set at €44,499 in France.

Did you know? With the KB998, the brand is making an exception to its historical naming convention. Typically, Bimota models (excluding the Tesi chassis) combine the engine manufacturer’s letter (K for Kawasaki), the designer’s letter (B for Bimota), and the project number (such as the KB4). Here, the number directly refers to the 998 cc displacement, while the name “Rimini” pays a heartfelt tribute to the city that has been the birthplace of these passionate machines for over fifty years.

Want to learn more about this masterpiece?

If you want to break down the power output down to the exact RPM, compare its dry weight, or explore the complete official photo gallery from every angle, be sure to check out our technical specifications page dedicated to the 2026 Bimota KB998 Rimini.

And to see how far this Italian manufacturer has come in just one year, you can also take a look at the previous version on the Bimota KB998 Rimini 2025 spec sheet.

Published on 6/23/26
by Yffic

Yffic is the webmaster. He handles website maintenance and many other tasks. He joined the team in 2005; a motorcycle enthusiast since childhood (it runs in the family), he wanted to help Greg with the site while pursuing his studies and later his career. Years have passed, but their collaboration continues. He has grown with the site and strives to help it grow as well. It’s a story of love—or passion—that brings together his career as an IT specialist and his passion for motorcycles. In addition to the site’s IT development, infrastructure, and testing, he also handles communications and partnerships in close collaboration with Greg.

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