Bimota has officially unveiled its finished ’70s-inspired KB4 retro sports bike at the Eicma trade show in Milan, almost two years after it started working on the project.
The KB4 is a stylish bike from Italian boutique brand Kanbar that gets its name from its engine, a 140bhp four-cylinder motor taken from the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX. Following the release of the £59,000 Tesi H2 in 2019, powered by a 150bhp twin-cylinder engine, this model features a 160bhp motor.
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Kawasaki currently owns a 49.9 per cent stake in Bimota, which is why both motorcycles use the firm’s engines, but the connection goes beyond simply providing engines.
Many different technologies are hidden behind the carbon fibre fairing. For example, this includes cornering management systems as well as cruise control, power modes, ABS, an up and down quick-shifter, and even features such as traction control. Interestingly enough too, the bike comes with a Kawasaki-derived colour TFT dash with smartphone connectivity is also included.
The Bimota has a vintage feel.
The Bimota YB10’s bodywork resembles that of the company’s early Kawasaki-powered motorcycles from the late 1970s and early 1980s, but it has a lot more of the 1990s YB10 about it. Furthermore, the large scoops that begin under the single headlight and run down the side of the bike, beneath the rider’s leather seat, pull air to the radiator, which is located at the base of the rear subframe.
Let’s look at the design of the bike.
The bodywork of this motorcycle is likely to create a stir, but it hides a steel trellis “front frame” that connects the engine’s heat and uses it as a stressed member.
The Bimota KB4’s rear is dominated by a billet aluminium swingarm that is suspended by an Öhlins TTX 36 rear shock with a remote adjuster. At the front, there are Öhlins FGRT 43 NIX30 forks, each of which can be adjusted manually.
A small Arrowexhaust alternative is also available for bikers who prefer a noise end-can. The exhaust is expected to be included in the asking price.
Bimota also announced an RC version.
Bimota has also revealed a naked RC version of the Bimota KB4 for 2022. The RC will remove the carbon front fairing favouring a café racer feel, similar to that of the bike above. There is no price announced for either model; however, the bike is likely to be between £29,000 and £30,000.
Bimota KB4 highlights:
- 1043cc inline-four
- 140bhp @ 10,000rpm
- 82lbft @ 8000rpm
- £29,500 (est)
- 194kg kerb weight
- 810mm (+/- 10mm) seat height
