Massimo Tamburini's T12 Massimo

MASSIMO TAMBURINI’S T12 MASSIMO

IGNITION

CW FIRST LOOK

The world's ultimate Italian trackday bike?

Bruno dePrato

Massimo Tamburini died on April 6, 2014, but like any real genius, the Italian motorcycle designer left a legacy that today materializes in his most refined and precious superbike ever: the BMW S1000RR-powered T12 Massimo.

With this bike, Tamburini’s goal was to make the best-handling, safest, lightest, and most compact motorcycle in the superbike class, ever. No compromises anywhere, no concerns about price or homologation for street use—it would be a pure, race-ready bike, completely free from all limitations.

Now complete thanks to the hard work of his son, Andrea, the T12 Massimo is about the size of the final generation of 500CC twostroke GP racers and incredibly light at 340 pounds dry. All body components, from the fairing to

the self-supporting tank and seat, are made from aerospace-grade carbon fiber that’s been treated with a very exclusive lacquer that adds a touch of dark green and golden sparkles to its texture. Carbon fiber is also used in the construction of the airbox and its dynamic air intake and runners.

The frame structure integrates the chrome-moly steel tubing with the steering head. Meanwhile, the rear plates clamping the engine, the single-sided swingarm, rearwheel hub, and sprocket carrier are all made from magnesium castings. Wheels are Marchesini forged magnesium units, but Andrea is also considering carbonfiber wheels that would bring the bike’s weight down to 330 pounds. Fork and shock are Öhlins GP units, while Brembo supplies its top-of-the-line radial-mount calipers, rotors, and master cylinders,

with Staubli quickrelease brake-line connections used.

The bikes will be built on demand only and sold at 300,000 euros ($336,645 at current conversion rates), with an adequate down payment required. F1U