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It’s True, Kawasaki Buys (Some of) Bimota

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The rumors turned out to be true at EICMA: Kawasaki has bought the iconic Italian brand Bimota. Well…technically, the business transaction is a little bit more complex than that.

It was Italian Motorcycle Investment S.p.A. (IMI) that actually bought a 49.9% stake in Bimota S.A., with IMI being an investment arm created by Kawasaki Motors Europe, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Got all that?

A deal three years in the making, in the end all that matters is this: Bimota (soon to be called Bimota S.p.A.) has been revived from the dead, with Swiss owners Marco Chiancianesi and Daniele Longoni still onboard and in a controlling interest.

For at least right now, it would seem that Bimota’s two-wheeled pursuits will be powered by Kawasaki power plants, and Bimota is set to  remain at its facility in Rimini.

The first incarnation from this news will be the Bimota TesiH2, which as the name suggests, uses the famous Tesi chassis with the infamous supercharged engine from the Kawasaki Ninja H2.

The next machine from the Italians will be the Bimota KB4, which will be a full-fairing sport bike, with the 1,043cc four-cylinder engine from the Kawasaki Z1000 at its core.

All told, Bimota aims to produce 200 bikes next year, which is an ambitious plan from the boutique brand. We wish them the best of luck!

Source: Kawasaki Motors Europe

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