Motorcycle Investor mag
Subscribe to our free email news
Time Machine
Bimota KB1 – circa 1980
Pondering the ones that got away
(June 2024, Guy 'Guido' Allen)
It's 1998 and this circa 1980 Bimota KB1 is up for sale
via classified mag Just Bikes for Au$15,000
(US$10,000, GB£8000). Back then that was a fortune for an
old bike and it would be interesting to know if the seller
got anywhere near that price. At the time, a new ZZ-R1100
Kawasaki was listed at Au$16,500 (US$11,000, GB£8700).
The 1978-on KB1 was an early model for the Rimini firm
and could be bought either as a rolling chassis or a
complete motorcycle. Built into the 1980s, some 800-plus
units were produced.
The difference in cost between DIY and complete was
significant. You were talking Au$5700 versus Au$7600
(US$3800/5000, GB£5700/7600). Even so, we reckon we might
have gone for the complete package.
This series is a bit of a can of worms for collectors, as
you're sorting through whether it's factory- or home-built
and we suspect finding the records will be a challenge.
Well-known motorcycle author Ian Falloon has been working
on a Bimota bible, so look out for it.
In addition to who built the bike, there are also a few
variants, including those running the Z1 (above) 900
Kawasaki engine and the later Z1000.
Nevertheless, we're talking of early Massimo Tamburini
design and a company with a fascinating if rocky history.
We're fans of Tamburini, particularly his later work such
as the Ducati 916 and MV Agusta F4, examples of which are
in the AllMoto shed.
The latest chapter in the Bimota story is its take-over by Kawasaki, which has breathed new life into the company. Included in the expanded model range is the KB4 (above), a cafe racer which tips a visual nod to its early predecessor. It costs Au$55,000 (US$36,600, GB£29,000)
The recent auction history of the KB1 suggests they've
been selling for around Au$30,000 (US$20,000, GB£16,000).
The example above was sold by Iconic
in the USA in 2022;
Also see this 2023 auction from
Bring a Trailer.
We suspect a local owner is going to be expecting more
for a good example with a decent history.
See the Bimotas for sale
on bikesales.
And see the KB1 stats at Motorcycle
Specs.
And one of the
Bimota YB11s we've been playing with
-------------------------------------------------
Produced by AllMoto abn 61 400 694 722
Privacy: we do not collect cookies or any other data.
Archives
Contact