Bimota, the makers of custom and production motorcycles, has officially unveiled the production version of its retro motorcycle Bimota KB4 at the ongoing EICMA 2021, in Milan, Italy. The bike was first revealed by the Italian marque in its concept form at the previous EICMA show in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. After being in development for about two years, the motorcycle has finally made its public debut. Along with the new KB4, Bimota has also revealed a naked RC version of the motorcycle, called Bimota KB4 RC, which will arrive in 2022.
Also Read: Bimota KB4 Details Revealed
Bimota has also revealed a naked RC version of the motorcycle, called Bimota KB4 RC, which will arrive in 2022
The Bimota KB4 comes with a carbon fibre frame that is mated to the 140bhp in-line four-cylinder engine taken from the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX. The idea was to combine the relatively mild-mannered Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX's inline-four to an agile chassis and cover it in distinctive retro bodywork. The styling is inspired by the Kawasaki-powered Bimota motorcycles of the late 1970s and 1980s, while the bulbous design shows some similarities to the YB10 motorcycle of the 1990s. Even the front fairing is made of carbon fibre.
Kawasaki now owns a 49.9 per cent stake in the Bimota brand, which is why the bike features the Japanese two-wheeler maker's engines. However, the similarities don't end there. The new Bimota KB4 also comes with a suite of electronics sourced from Kawasaki, which include - cornering management systems, cruise control, power modes, ABS, an up and down quick-shifter, and traction control. Bimota is also offering Kawasaki-derived colour TFT dash with smartphone connectivity, plus the firm's signature chunky switchgear.
Also Read: Bimota KB4 Production Model Revealed In Latest Images
The new Bimota KB4 also comes with a suite of electronics like - cornering management systems, cruise control, power modes, ABS, an up and down quick-shifter, and traction control
The motorcycle is also equipped with a billet aluminium swingarm, while suspension duties are handled by Öhlins TTX 36 rear shock and Öhlins FGRT 43 NIX30 forks at the front. Both are manually adjustable. The braking duties, on the other hand, are handled by Brembo units, which includes a pair of 320 mm discs up front, with front callipers, and a 220 mm disc at the back. The bike also comes with a bulky end can, which is in line with the Euro5 emission norms. The wheels are shod with grippy Pirelli Supercorsa rubber. The bike tips the scales with a dry weight of 184 kg.
Bimota is a storied Italian motorcycle brand, founded in 1973 in Rimini, Italy by Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri and Massimo Tamburini. The company takes its name from the first two letters of the surnames of the founders. Bimota concentrated initially on building high-quality motorcycles around existing engines, customising top models of Suzuki, Honda, Ducati and Kawasaki. Massimo Tamburini, Bimota's celebrated co-founder and long-time chief designer, has been an influential player in motorcycle design, particularly in the development of other Italian brands like Ducati and MV Agusta.
