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Profile – Bimota SB6
(September 2020)
by Guy 'Guido' Allen
Bimota's most popular model has become a lot more affordable
Pictured above is a 1995 Bimota SB6 which, despite being the firm's most successful model, you don't often see pop on the market. New they were staggering $35,700 (plus ORC) in Australia, when a Suzuki GSX-R1100 was more like $16,000. This example is now on the market for $16,850 (US$12,300, £9600).
If you've been around motorcycles for a little while, there's a chance you're familiar with the name Bimota. The small-volume firm has had a patchy financial history across the decades, since its establishment in Italy in 1973. Three gentlemen were behind it: most famously Massimo Tamburini, who penned the Ducati 916, Giuseppe Morri and Valerio Bianchi.
For years the company's main game was taking an already proven engine from a major manufacturer, warming it up a little, and whacking it into an entirely new chassis – of course with fresh bodywork. Its most successful of the incredibly numerous models built across the years was the SB6, based around a GSX-R1100 engine.
It was built as two variants: the SB6 which produced 1144 units across 1994-96; And the SB6R (above), of which 600 were made across 1997-98. Together, they more than double the numbers of any other series from the often cash-strapped firm.
At the heart of the machine was the Suzuki GSX-R1100 powerplant of the day, which claimed 156hp (115kW) at 10,000rpm and 115Nm at 9000rpm in original form – a monster of an engine for the time, and still a formidable package. That was in a motorcycle claiming a dry weight of 231kg.
Bimota's rework of the package saw that powerplant landed in a smaller and very different-looking package, claiming a staggering weight loss to 190kg and wheelbase shortened from Suzuki's 1485mm to just 1376.
Most obvious was the giant twin-spar perimeter frame holding it all together, along with overall dimensions that – for the period – made it look like a 600 rather than a litre bike.
Suspension was by Paoili on the front and Ohlins on the rear, with braking of course by Brembo.
All up the package was little, very fast and sharp. Tall riders struggled with it, but if you were more medium size, you had one of the nicest sports packages then available. My recollection is that tuning ex-Bimota wasn't always spot-on and sometimes needed a little tweaking to get right.
Performance figures of the day suggested a 275km/h top speed and a 10.6sec standing quarter.
Seeing one on the market for less than half its original price might be a sobering thought for anyone who bought one new. However it probably represents an opportunity if you're in the hunt for something a little out of the ordinary.
Mechanicals won't be an issue, but replacing bodywork and cosmetics will be – so buying a complete one in good condition is necessary. This example looks pretty good and would seem to be an import from the USA, judging by the dash. That being the case, you'd want to be sure it comes with the import approval paperwork.
The 1995 manufacture date means it's already eligible for club plates in Victoria and will be elsewhere in five years.
An interesting potential classic? Yep, we reckon so.
Good
Fast
Slick handling
Exclusive
Bad
Cramped for tall riders
Cosmetic parts could be a challenge
SPECS:
Bimota SB6
ENGINE:
TYPE: Liquid-cooled, four-valves-per-cylinder, inline four
CAPACITY: 1074cc
BORE & STROKE: 75.5 x 60mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: 11.2:1
FUEL SYSTEM: 4 x 38mm Mikuni carbs
TRANSMISSION:
TYPE: Five-speed, constant-mesh,
FINAL DRIVE: Chain
CHASSIS & RUNNING GEAR:
FRAME TYPE: Aluminium twin spar
FRONT SUSPENSION: Paoili telescopic fork, 46mm, full adjustment
REAR SUSPENSION: Ohlins monoshock, full adjustment
FRONT BRAKE: 320mm discs with four-piston Brembo calipers
REAR BRAKE: 230mm disc with two-piston caliper
DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES:
DRY WEIGHT: 190kg
SEAT HEIGHT: 755mm
WHEELBASE: 1376mm
FUEL CAPACITY: 19.5lt
TYRES:
FRONT: 120/60-ZR17
REAR: 180/55-ZR17
PERFORMANCE:
POWER: 115kW @ 10,000rpm
TORQUE: 115Nm @ 9000rpm
OTHER STUFF:
PRICE NEW $35,700 plus on road costs
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Produced by AllMoto abn 61 400 694 722
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