Holy motorcycle lust Batman! BMW has just announced that it will be supplying Italian boutique brand Bimota with engines from the BMW S1000RR superbike. The Bimota BB2 will break cover at EICMA in a concept bike form at Milan, and likely ruin Christmas for everyone in attendance.
BMW says Bimota chose the S1000RR engine because of its extremely low weight (132 lbs) and high power output (193 hp). No word yet if the the Bimota BB2 will be a fully faired sport bike, or naked wheelie monster of doom (check out these concept sketches by Oberdan Bezzi), but the news is a welcomed turn of events for Bimota fans who wanted a little variety in the Ducati-heavy model line-up. Press release after the jump.
BMW Motorrad takes up cooperation partnership with Bimota. S 1000 RR engine for new 4-cylinder model.
BMW Motorrad will be supplying the Italian motorcycle manufacturer Bimota with the engine of the BMW S 1000 RR. For its new 4-cylinder model, Bimota has opted for what is currently the best 4-cylinder in-line engine in the supersports motorcycle segment. An initial concept of this new motorcycle will be on show at the EICMA in Milan.
By selecting the in-line 4-cylinder power unit of the BMW S 1000 RR, Bimota has gone for the technologically most innovative straight-four engine currently available. Its low weight of just 59.8 kilograms, an output of 142 kW (193 bhp) at 13,000 rpm and an extremely speed-resistant valve gear with two overhead camshafts and weight-optimised cam followers make it the perfect power source for the new Bimota project.
Bimota boasts a long tradition of 4-cylinder supersports motorcycles. The very first Bimota models back in the 1970s were powered by in-line 4-cylinder engines. For around four decades, the name Bimota has stood for technologically innovative and painstakingly crafted supersports bikes made for motorcycle enthusiasts – in spite of an eventful history.
BMW Motorrad and Bimota engaged in a collaborative partnership once before. In 1995 the Italian company presented the BB1 Supermono, a supersports single-cylinder model powered by the engine of the BMW F 650. The BB1 Supermono with BMW engine had an output of 35 kW (48 bhp), weighed just 167 kilograms and achieved a top speed of 196 km/h. 376 of this light supersports bike were built between 1995 and 1996.
Source: BMW Group
Comments