Rimini Rockets
Rimini Rockets
2008 Bimota DB7 and Delirio DB6R
Proof that Bimota is serious about a market comeback after its 2003 resurrection by business man Roberto Comini, the Italian boutique bike-maker showed off its new Ducati 1098 Testastretta powered DB7 superbike at the `07 Milan Show. Another indication is the recently acquired services of former Ducati product-development and product-marketing director, American Dan VanEpps, to help steer the once-lost Bimota ship. "Bimota motorcycles are so impressive when you look at the details." said an enthusiastic
VanEpps. "In terms of fit and finish and quality, no other motorcycle compares. It's really exciting to work with the impressive team here at Bimota and to elevate the company to the next level." Since 2003, the entire Bimota line has been powered by air cooled, Ducati 1000/11 OODS engines with the exception of the Suzuki TL1 000R-powered SB8K. Both excellent engines, but what Bimota enthusiasts have been longing for is a powerful superbike spec machine. Wishes have been granted in the form of the DB7. Take the four-valve, liquid-cooled, 1099cc Testastretta Evoluzione engine and stuff it into an ultra-lightweight (claimed 379 pounds dry), hybrid oval-tube trellisand billet-aluminum-plate framed chassis and you get one serious motorcycle. The swingarm
is constructed in the same manner and mates with a fully adjustable Extreme Tech shock with progressive linkage. A fully adjustable 43mm Marzocchi Corse inverted fork mounted in machined billet-aluminum triple-clamps resides up front. Bodywork serves multiple functions, as the carbon-fiber tailsection is structural and eliminates the need for a subframe, as does the front fairing, which doesn’t require any additional brackets or bracing for the digital instrument panel, mirrors and headlight. A narrow fuel tank has a capacity just over 4 gallons and is a piece of art in and of itself. Glittering with goodies, the DB7 sports rear frame plates, engine mounts, foot controls, chain-adjuster plates and clutch and brake levers of CNCmachined aluminum. The estimated price of the DB7 is $38,000, but actual MSRP and U.S. availability have yet to be officially announced. Blake Conner
