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Potential new Bimota owner........
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busatoon99



Joined: 28 Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Location: Hereford

PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 8:34 pm    Post subject: Potential new Bimota owner........ Reply with quote

Hi all.
I'm seriously considering treating myself to a Bimota. First off id have to say i'm not minted (im a carpenter) so finances will play a part in my decision. However I have always loved the style and thinking behind Bimotas from the 1980s and 90s but I could never afford the asking prices back then. I currently own a 97 VFR750 and a 85 gsx750 se "pop kat" (remember them ?) and im considering selling them both to get either a Bimota yb11 or sb6r that are currently for sale on evil bay.

What I would like to know from you good people is how expensive is Bimota ownership, i've heard servicing can be a nightmare, and how hard is it to get replacement parts if, god forbid, I lob it down the road ? My biking in all weather days are now long behind me (im 52 !) so dry days will be the only time it will be used. I'm also 6 foot tall so size may be an issue. Any advice or guidance will be greatly appreciated.
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brian



Joined: 22 Aug 2011
Posts: 3766
Location: Australia

PostPosted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the forum mate. Bimota ownership is certainly a joy but can sometimes be frustrating. In saying that.... I am so honoured to own Bimotas.... the beauty in the workmanship and bobby styling is second to none.

I’m in Australia, so not much real help on the cost side, plenty of your countrymen on here will be sure to chime in shortly with some advice on that.

Servicing.... if you’re good with your hands, logical and willing to learn, you need to do the maintenance and repairs yourself. Being a carpenter, you are more than likely good with your hands and logical, so all you need to do is learn..... plenty of help on here and plenty of leads for the right information, specs, technical data etc. if all else fails, I’m sure that someone isn’t too far away and will be happy to help hands on.

I’ve never owned a YB but in my opinion you can go wrong either way. Laminator on here is your YB go to man.

Engine, brakes, suspension, electrical etc are all readily available. Bodywork and frame components are the items that you don’t want to damage as they can be hard to find and are definitely expensive.

I’m sure that some of the members here will know the particular bikes that you are considering and may be able to help with specifics on those bikes.

You’re current bikes are very cool and if it were me I’d keep the GSX750 if i could. But..... do what ever you need to, to dive into Bimota ownership, you’ll love it Cool
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'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851
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rpo83



Joined: 28 Oct 2008
Posts: 387
Location: Melbourne, Australia

PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to potential Bimota ownership.

I have a SB6 and YB5, i'm in my late 50's and to be honest, both bikes are getting harder on the body and joints. A mate of mine recently bought a YB11, a few months ago we went on a ride i was on my YB5 and we swapped bikes.

I couldn't believe how roomy the YB11 was compared to my YB5! The SB6 is more extreme than the YB5... The big issue for me on the YB5 and SB6 are how far back the pegs are, and this puts a lot of weight on your wrists, and your neck gets a workout.

I have done a couple of ride days on my SB6 and on track it is fantastic, all those criticisms about riding on the road disappear and the bike makes sense when you are hanging off it. I have never ridden an SB6R, but i believe they are very similar ot the SB6.

Good luck, most of us started where you are, dream bikes from 20+ years ago that are now affordable. Yes servicing is a pain, but most of us don't cover many k's, they are a weekend bike... but nothing beats having one in your garage and just staring at the build quality and little details...

Good luck with your decision..
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Cheers

Steve

YB5 #130, YB5 #196, YB7 #302, SB6 #949, Laverda RGS Executive, Laverda RGS Corsa.
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vort28-2



Joined: 13 Mar 2019
Posts: 10

PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 12:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the forum Busatoon.

I have a SB6 and a YB11 , am late 40's , 6ft and ridden sports bikes all my life.
Yes the riding positions are 'tucked' but I don't find either of these bikes uncomfortable . The YB11 has a slightly strange riding position , (I put this down to being twin seat and Bimota trying to get the weight balance correct 2 up) with the pegs being quite high due to the strange seating position.
OK , I've not ridden an SB6R but they are mean't to be a bit roomier than an SB6 . I have no issues's with the sb6 , fits like a glove !!
Parts wise as Brian says the majority is carry over OEM. The difficult bits are the pure Bimota stuff but then some small stuff is common , pegs etc.
Panel wise there is aftermarket stuff available , ( which might be an option if you want to preserve the originals ), and both the 6R and YB11 have more conventional split fairings , so if damaged might only be 1 panel etc.
There are generally always Bimota specific parts available but they can come at a hefty price sometimes.
So unlike some bikes its probably best to pay a reasonable price for a good example , rather than buy the cheapest with a few bits missing .

The one other thing to bare in mind is the YB11 was the only ever bike to be made with 51mm Piaoli forks . The seals are not easy to find . Common replacement is 2" (50.8mm) seals, but a bit of a faff.
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Spongebob



Joined: 03 May 2016
Posts: 144
Location: Oxfordshire

PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 5:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome! I have an 2 x SB6R, an SB6 and a YB6 Tuatara. The SB6R is by far the most comfortable but its still no long distance tourer. I'm a tad under 6ft tall and everything just fits me. It also does about 200 miles on a tank of petrol and has never let me down.

Body work is where you need to pay attention. Break that you'll struggle to replace. I do have a naked SB6R bought from an ex forum member that probably suffered that fate but it's strangely attractive with a streetfighter look to it and flat bars. I intend to use that as a daily commuter this year and sell in the autumn.

Everything under the skin will have been robbed from someones part bin. Example will be the speedo pick up for the Tuatara. In another life its a Ford Escort crank sensor. Part numbers and google will help.

Plenty of buying advice and knowledgeable people on here too.
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2bims



Joined: 03 Apr 2010
Posts: 7289

PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 7:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As they all say Welcome.....Bodywork.....Tank/seat units on both bikes is one piece and fibreglass...so easier to repair than plastic and generally more resilient and only prone to cracks in the gel coat....which is just an aesthetics issue....from flexing...Plastics elsewhere which if the fixings are over tightened then they can crack all the way through...knock a fixed mirror on the garage wall and yup..you'll crack a piece....plastics fairly fragile now after some 25 years for each bike...But yes...spares abound..ish….various prices depending on dreamers hanging onto parts for years...or bargains...sharp intervention on ebay listings is paramount

Huggers and front guards are always carbon...lacquer greys with age but a rub down with wet and dry and relacquer and thats sorted
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busatoon99



Joined: 28 Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Location: Hereford

PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 9:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks gents for the welcome and for taking the time to answer my novice questions.
I'm leaning towards the SB6R because I love the looks and i know the GSXR1100 motor is bomb proof !

If I do take the plunge you guys will be the first to know. Thanks again for your advice. Cheers.
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Quackers



Joined: 08 May 2011
Posts: 53
Location: Ross on Wye

PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 11:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm an SB6 Mk 2 owner, based v near you (I'm in Ross on Wye). I've had the bike for years & luv it to bits. I'm happy to meet you somewhere so you can have a look & ask questions in order to inform your decision.

They're not everybody's cup of tea, but they do get under your skin......

Quackers
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2bims



Joined: 03 Apr 2010
Posts: 7289

PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 12:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

All bimotas get under your skin....and then they adk you to get another because they get lonely....
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djk



Joined: 20 Sep 2011
Posts: 141
Location: New Zealand

PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 2:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Above is very true. I have two and was very close to getting a third. I wouldn't mind a garage full of them.
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stockcar



Joined: 07 Apr 2011
Posts: 836
Location: in the shadow of the "angel"

PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 10:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SB6R here and aprt from the fact i have a fcucked neck from being punted from my chariot its reasonably comfortable............

i tend to ride a little faster than ideal simply to try and relieve my neck Orcifer...... Cool
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haitchbomb



Joined: 03 Feb 2019
Posts: 20
Location: Newcastle

PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 12:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello,

As a recent Bimota owner myself (a 50th Birthday present) I can only say that no matter how much money I am going to spend on my YB11 (and if the 1st 3 months of ownership suggest it will be a lot more than my crop of GSXR750s) it is money well spent!

Obviously my yb is never going to be a daily ride but when you are out on it you know you are on something special. Every now and again you will get a glimpse of yourself in a shop window (I know it's sad but I bet we all do it!) and any apprehensions you have of owning a money pit are well and truly erased from your mind.

As suggested by others nobody ends up owning just one. I have aspirations of a red YB9 and a YB7 (I have always loved 400's and being short they work for me). Sadly , having two teenage kids I am not cash rich and the bimota as now got me thinking in strange ways, for instance the wife is a lot younger than me which was a bonus whilst I had the energy but now I realise that I won't get my hands on her retirement lump sum until it is too late for me and I have also taken to popping around to her elderly parents on a regular basis, asking about her health and measuring up the rooms, does this make me bad?

Steve
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Tirefriar



Joined: 18 Dec 2014
Posts: 659
Location: USA

PostPosted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The first ever Bimota I have considered and test rode was SB6R. It was love at first sight but alas, the dealer sold it from under me. My 50th b-day present to me self was a YB10. I later acquired an SB8R but soon realized that YB10 is the true love of my life. I have a thread on this forum about the bikes I rotate through but the Bimota is here to stay. Which ever one you get, buy one that will truly stir your soul every time you look at it, start it and ride it. Every time I ride the Dieci it tells me that's how it was done back in the day and I love it. Get ready to get many thumbs up.
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1991 Bimota YB10
2001 MV F4
2003 Aprilia RSV Mille CE Replica
2004 BMW R11S BCR
2010 Ducati Streetfighter 1098 S
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brian



Joined: 22 Aug 2011
Posts: 3766
Location: Australia

PostPosted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The first Bimota that I ever saw in real life was the SB6 that I purchased sight unseen 2500 klm's away. I had seen and drooled over the magazine articles 20 years before but never thought i'd get the chance to own one due to they're cost
_________________
'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851
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Evilchicken0



Joined: 12 May 2010
Posts: 2996
Location: London

PostPosted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 4:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

brian wrote:
The first Bimota that I ever saw in real life was the SB6 that I purchased sight unseen 2500 klm's away. I had seen and drooled over the magazine articles 20 years before but never thought i'd get the chance to own one due to they're cost

I saw an SB6 in an import place in Bristol. A year later a red one came up for sale on ebay, I asked a friend to look at it, he said it was ok.
I got on a plane to Derry and rode it home via Belfast, Liverpool to London.

14 or 15 years ago
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