It has been exactly two years since we lost Massimo Tamburini, the father of iconic motorcycles like the Ducati 916 Superbike and the MV Agusta F4.
Despite his passing, the Italian designer’s influence can still be felt in the motorcycle industry today, and his creations continue to be highly coveted pieces for motorcycle collectors around the world.
Many know that Tamburini was the “ta” in Bimota, which saw The Maestro team up with Valerio Bianchi and Giuseppe Morri, and together the three pillars of the industry would create countless exotic two-wheeled examples.
In essence, Tamburini’s name can be linked to the most lust-worthy motorcycles in the modern era, and we are about to add one more machine to that list.
It would seem that Tamburini apparently had one last design up his sleeve before he departed this world, and it is debuting today. Giving tribute to his name, the Tamburini T12 Massimo is a BMW S1000RR powered superbike that is meant purely for the race track, and maybe the museum.
A venture from the family of Massimo Tamburini and some financial backers, the Tamburini T12 Massimo continues with the ethos of Bimota: taking a base superbike, and building an exotic machine from its structure.
At 330 lbs dry, the Tamburini T12 Massimo has quite a weight savings over the base model BMW S1000RR, which tips the scales at 386 lbs dry. Some of that weight savings comes from the removal of the signals and other road homologation elements, but unique pieces of engineering and design can be found as well.
The fairings are an obvious example, but underneath the carbon fiber bodywork we can find some gems hidden. Our favorite piece has to be the custom-built Arrow exhaust, which exits to the side of the bellypan, like on the Ducati 1299 Panigale.
The chassis is a trellis design that uses high tensile steel alloy tubing, as we have seen in previous machines from Bimota. Of note, the headstock is a magnesium casting, which is clamped to the trellis frame. The rear plates that attach to the engine are magnesium, as well.
The wheels are forged magnesium units, while the carbon fiber fuel tank gives support to the seat and rear subframe. Suspension is handled by top-shelf suspension from Öhlins, front and rear.
Brakes are by Brembo, and feature quick-release lines by Staubli. Lastly, MoTeC is handling all the electronics on the Tamburini T12 Massimo.
Of course, you don’t expect the Tamburini T12 Massimo to have just a stock S1000RR engine at its heart. The Bavarian-sourced power plant has been tuned to 230hp, which should be enough to excite the most discerning track rider.
The pictures seen here don’t do this machine justice, sadly. As for the price? Well, if you have to ask…
Source: MassimoTamburini.com
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