Bimota DB1: review, history, specs

From CycleChaos
Jump to navigation Jump to search
BimotaDB1.jpg
Bimota DB1
Manufacturer
Production 1985 - 1987
Class Sport Bike
Engine
750cc air-cooled, four-stroke, 90-degree V-Twin, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder
Bore / Stroke 88.9mm x 88.9mm
Compression ratio 9.3:1
Horsepower 63.03 HP (47.0 KW) @ 7500RPM
Torque 44.99 ft/lbs (61.0 Nm) @ 6500RPM
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed, manual

Final Drive: chain

Clutch: wet multi-disc, manual
Suspension Front: 41mm Marzocchi telescopic fork
Rear: Marzocchi dual shocks
Brakes Front: dual 280mm discs, 1-piston calipers
Rear: single 260mm disc
Front Tire 130/80 V16
Rear Tire 160/80 V18
Weight 160.0 kg (wet)
Manuals Service Manual


The Bimota DB1 was a air-cooled, four-stroke, 90-degree V-Twin, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder Sport Bike motorcycle produced by Bimota in 1985. Max torque was 44.99 ft/lbs (61.0 Nm) @ 6500 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 63.03 HP (47.0 KW) @ 7500 RPM.

History[edit | edit source]

The DB1 is a motorcycle designed by Federico Martini and made by the small motorcycle maker Bimota in Rimini, Italy. Made in the mid-1980s, it had a 750cc Ducati L-Twin engine (a 90° V-Twin).

DB1 stands for Ducati-Bimota one i.e. the first Bimota made with a Ducati engine. The frame and running gear by Bimota and motor supplied from Ducati.

They were the first production bike to have fully enclosing bodywork since the Vincent Black Knight of the 1950s.

The DB1 came along when the company was in real money trouble and the sales of the DB1 were what saved the company at that time.

They have 16-inch wheels and were one of the first road bikes (if not the first) to use radial tires. They featured only the BEST of what parts were available in Italy at the time and were very expensive bikes built to a very high standard of finish. Brembo goldline brake calipers, floating discs. Marzzochi M1R forks. And many Bimota made light aluminum parts machined from solid.

There were three road-going versions of the DB1:

  1. DB1 1985-87 standard model. Red green and mostly pearl white bodywork. 453 made. Some 400 cc machines were made for Japan and are included in that number.
  2. DB1S with freer exhausts and larger carburetors and no air cleaners. Same body colors as DB1 but with an "S" in the name. 63 made.
  3. DB1SR with a very highly tuned engine, and different two-piece wheels made by Marvic/Akront. Same colors as the DB1 but mostly red. 153 made.

There were also a very limited number of DB1R factory race bikes built.

All DB1 machines are highly prized collectors' items now.


Engine[edit | edit source]

A 88.9mm bore x 88.9mm stroke result in a displacement of just 748.0 cubic centimeters.

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 5-speed, manual transmission. Power was moderated via the wet multi-disc, manual.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 130/80 V16 front tire and a 160/80 V18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via dual 280mm discs, 1-piston calipers in the front and a single 260mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a 41mm Marzocchi telescopic fork while the rear was equipped with a Marzocchi dual shocks.



1985 Bimota DB1[edit | edit source]

1985 Bimota DB1 1985 Bimota DB1 1985 Bimota DB1 1985 Bimota DB1 1985 Bimota DB1 1985 Bimota DB1 1985 Bimota DB1 1985 Bimota DB1

The 1985 MY Bimota DB1 sports an air-cooled, four-stroke, 748cc, 90-degree V-Twin powerplant paired to a five-speed manual transmission, and can reach a maximum power output of 62 horsepower and 61 Nm of torque.

The key features for this machine would be the Marzocchi suspension package composed of a 41mm telescopic fork and adjustable shocks in the rear, a braking system with dual discs in the front and a rear single unit, an analogue instrumentation panel, an aerodynamic full-fairing, a windscreen, a blacked-out exhaust system and blacked-out, forged-aluminum wheels.