It has been exactly two years since we lost Massimo Tamburini,
the father of iconic motorcycles like the Ducati 916 Superbike and the MV Agusta
F4.
Despite his passing, the Italian designer’s influence can still
be felt in the motorcycle industry today, and his creations continue to
be highly coveted pieces for motorcycle collectors around the world.
Many know that Tamburini was the “ta” in Bimota, which saw The
Maestro team up with Valerio Bianchi and Giuseppe Morri, and together the three
pillars of the industry would create countless exotic two-wheeled examples.
In essence, Tamburini’s name can be linked to the most
lust-worthy motorcycles in the modern era, and we are about to add one more
machine to that list.
It would seem that Tamburini apparently had one last design up
his sleeve before he departed this world, and it is debuting today. Giving
tribute to his name, the Tamburini T12 Massimo is a BMW S1000RR powered
superbike that is meant purely for the race track, and maybe the museum.
A venture from the family of
Massimo Tamburini and some financial backers, the Tamburini T12 Massimo
continues with the ethos of Bimota: taking a base superbike, and building an
exotic machine from its structure.
At 330 lbs dry, the Tamburini T12 Massimo has quite a weight
savings over the base model BMW S1000RR, which tips the scales at 386 lbs dry.
Some of that weight savings comes from the removal of the signals and other road
homologation elements, but unique pieces of engineering and design can be found
as well.
The fairings are an obvious example, but underneath the carbon
fiber bodywork we can find some gems hidden. Our favorite piece has to be the
custom-built Arrow exhaust, which exits to the side of the bellypan, like on the
Ducati 1299 Panigale.
The chassis is a trellis design that uses high tensile steel
alloy tubing, as we have seen in previous machines from Bimota. Of note, the
headstock is a magnesium casting, which is clamped to the trellis frame. The
rear plates that attach to the engine are magnesium, as well.
The wheels are forged magnesium units, while the carbon fiber
fuel tank gives support to the seat and rear subframe. Suspension is handled by
top-shelf suspension from Öhlins, front and rear.
Brakes are by Brembo, and feature quick-release lines by Staubli.
Lastly, MoTeC is handling all the electronics on the Tamburini T12 Massimo.
Of course, you don’t expect the Tamburini T12 Massimo to have
just a stock S1000RR engine at its heart. The Bavarian-sourced power plant has
been tuned to 230hp, which should be enough to excite the most discerning track
rider.
