M&P Proudly Welcomes Bimota: The Return of a Motorcycling Legend

At M&P, we’ve always been passionate about delivering exceptional two-wheeled experiences—whether through cutting-edge performance, avant-garde design, or the thrill of riding something truly extraordinary. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with Bimota, the iconic Italian marque synonymous with handcrafted exclusivity and engineering brilliance.

This is part one of a three part introduction to the Italian manufacturer.

Part 1. Bimota: History of Italy’s Motorcycle Artisan

Bimota is one of the most fascinating and unique names in the world of motorcycles—an Italian marque born not from mass production, but from obsession with perfection. Founded in 1973 in Rimini by Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri, and Massimo Tamburini (the name Bimota is a portmanteau of their surnames), the company started as a boutique engineering firm focused on building better motorcycle chassis than the manufacturers themselves.

The Bimota KB1 - Bimota's first Kawasaki powered machine

Origins: Chassis First

In the 1970s, the major Japanese brands were producing engines with enormous potential but often wrapping them in underwhelming frames. Bimota’s early success came from crafting ultra-light, razor-precise frames for engines from Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki—motorcycles like the SB2 (Suzuki) and KB1 (Kawasaki) became cult machines for serious riders and racers who wanted handling as sharp as the engine’s power.

Racing Success

Though always a small player, Bimota punched far above its weight in racing:

  • TT Formula 1: In 1980, Bimota won the Formula 1 TT with Virginio Ferrari riding a YB3.
  • Superbike World Championship (WSBK): Their most iconic racing success came with Anthony Gobert and Davide Tardozzi, and in 1988, Virginio Ferrari again brought attention to the brand. Bimota remained competitive in the early years of WSBK, including a few race wins despite minimal factory backing.
  • Moto2 (2014): The Bimota BB3 was homologated with a BMW S1000RR engine but was controversially disqualified due to homologation issues in Moto2 that year.

Despite not having the deep pockets of the big factories, Bimota’s bikes regularly found themselves embarrassingly far ahead of better-funded competition.

The Bimota Tesi 1D featuring hub steering and front swing arm

Iconic Models

  1. DB1 (1985) – Ducati-powered and the first "true" Bimota, built entirely in-house. Hugely respected for its compact, beautiful design and performance.
  2. Tesi 1D (1990) – A technical marvel with hub-center steering instead of traditional forks. The Tesi series remains a symbol of radical motorcycle engineering.
  3. SB8R (1999) – A Suzuki TL1000R-powered superbike, ridden by Gobert to a stunning win in WSBK.
  4. DB5 and DB6 Delirio – Later models that combined gorgeous Italian design with modern Ducati powerplants, popular with collectors.
  5. Tesi H2 (2020) – The modern rebirth, using Kawasaki’s supercharged H2 engine with the signature hub-centre steering—technological madness in the best way.

What They Stand For

Bimota's Kawasaki H2 powered Tera adventure touring bike expected to arrive summer 2025

Bimota represents the craft of motorcycle design. They stand for obsessive engineering, uncompromising design, and a willingness to push boundaries that bigger brands shy away from. They’ve always built motorcycles for purists—those who value chassis feel, unique styling, and exclusivity over price or practicality.

Personalities

  • Massimo Tamburini: Perhaps the most influential figure in Bimota’s history. After co-founding the company, he went on to design the Ducati 916 and MV Agusta F4, but his early work at Bimota laid the groundwork for his legend.
  • Davide Tardozzi: Later better known as Ducati’s WSBK and MotoGP team manager, Tardozzi was a key figure in Bimota’s racing presence in the ‘80s.
  • Anthony Gobert: The wild Australian who stunned the world with a WSBK win at Phillip Island on the SB8R in 2000—one of the most iconic underdog wins in modern motorcycle racing.

Legacy

Bimota has faced multiple bankruptcies and revivals, most recently being rescued by Kawasaki, which now holds a stake in the company. This fusion of Japanese horsepower and Italian madness led to the Tesi H2, a perfect encapsulation of Bimota’s DNA—exotic, extreme, and entirely uncompromising.

Even with limited output and a turbulent business history, Bimota remains one of the most respected names in motorcycling—because in a world of mass production, they’ve always dared to be different.

Find Out First!

Be among the First to Ride the 2025 Bimota Lineup

The wait is almost over—Bimota’s 2025 range is set to redefine performance, and you can be among the first to experience it.

By joining our exclusive list, you’ll:
✅ Get priority access as soon as the new models arrive in our showrooms.
✅ Secure an invitation to demo rides before the general public.
✅ Receive updates on limited-edition builds, specs, and launch events.

No spam, no hassle—just the earliest access to Bimota’s latest masterpieces.

"Few will ever ride these machines. Even fewer will ride them first."

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