A Real Japanese Bimota

A real Japanese Bimota

For years, the Bimota firm in Rimini. Italy, has experienced difficulty in obtaining factory cooperation from both Honda and Suzuki; but rumors coming from both East and West indicate that Yamaha’s successful relationship with Bimota is about to undergo a change. Yamaha has been selling FJ1200 engines “on demand" to Bimota for the YB5, but now will ship even more engines there. In return, a number of the Italian-made frames and special parts will be shipped to Japan to be assembled and sold here. The YB5 already is used successfully as a racer in Italy, and the factory is gearing up for a full season of racing as a highly visible means of public relations to promote its very expensive products.

—Kengo Yagawa