Bimota returns to Oz

After a long absence locally and a very shaky time overall, Bimota is set to make a comeback in Australia, with Stony Creek Powersports announcing it has become the importer. The NSW company also imports Moto Morini.

"We are excited to introduce the full range of Bimota models, the Super Sport DB5, Sport Naked DB6, Superbike DB7 (pictured - specs below) and Sport Special TESI 3D, available from mid 2008. All models will be displayed at trade shows during this year so motorcyclists can experience these incredible motorcycles first hand." said Paul Nobbs, director of the company.

Prices have yet to be established, but you can expect to see the range doing the rounds of the bike shows over the coming year. Stocks are due to start arriving in mid-2008.

The company history says: "If Massimo Tamburini (later to become designer of the Ducati 916 and MV Agusta F4) had not crashed his Honda 750 Four at the Misano racetrack in September 1972 the legend that is now Bimota might never have existed. After recuperating from three broken ribs he sets about the construction of a tubular steel frame to cope with the horsepower being produced by the engines of the big Japanese manufacturers. This frame both reduced the weight of the original Honda and lowered the centre of gravity and so with the HB1, of which only ten were made, the story begins.

"The name Bimota derives from the initials of the three founders, Bianchi, Morri and Tamburini, but it was the passion and engineering excellence of Tamburini that was the driving force behind the company. The racing frames Bimota started to produce, such as the YB1, YB2, YB3, HDB1, HDB2 and SB1 became a "must have" for all serious racers and quickly altered the perception of what a motorbike should be.

"In 1977 Bimota identified a new market niche and started producing exclusive high performance bikes such as the SB2. Some of these models are sold in kit form, but it is the development of the now legendary KB1 that creates the major turning point in the commercial success of the Company."

The company went on to produce bikes using powerplants from all the Japanese manufacturers, plus Ducati, but in later years has concentrated on the Italian firm's twins. It has experience turbulent times over the last couple of decades, reaching the brink of extinction at least once.

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