Bimota DB6R Delirio

Make Model	Bimota DB6R
Year	2008
Engine	Four stroke, 90°“L”twin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder
Capacity	1078 cc / 65.8 cub. in.
Bore x Stroke	98 x 71.5 mm
Compression Ratio	10.5:1
Cooling System	Air / oil cooled
Lubrication	Wet sump
Induction	Electronic fuel injection - 45 mm throttle body
Ignition	Marelli electronic
Starting	Electric
Max Power	70.5 kW / 95 hp @ 7050 rpm
Max Torque	103 Nm / 76 lb-ft. @ 5500 rpm
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	25/20mm tubular chrome molybdenum steel trellis with lateral plates in aircraft alloy. 35/25/15mm tubular chrome molybdenum steel trellis with lateral plates in aircraft alloy rear.
Front Suspension	43mm UD Öhlins TIN Coated Fork, fully adjustable Pre-load, Compression, Rebound, 120mm wheel travel.
Rear Suspension	Öhlins Monoshock, fully adjustable Pre-load - External Hydraulic Device, Compression, Rebound
Rake	24°
Trail	108 mm / 4.3 in.
Front Brakes	2x 320mm / 12.6 discs 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 220mm / 8.7 in. disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	120/90ZR -17
Rear Tyre	180/55ZR -17
Seat Height	820 mm / 32.2 in.
Wheelbase	1425 mm / 56.1 in.
Dimensions	Length 2045 mm / 80.5 in. Height 1110 mm / 43.7 in.
Wet weight	168 kg / 370 lbs
Fuel Capacity	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal

We’ve recently had the opportunity to ride the brand new DB6R, the very best model to have ever been introduced by Bimota. The main difference between this brand new model and the standard is the weight. Engineers aimed towards an even lighter (7.5 kg less than the standard) and implicit more versatile motorcycle. Can it get better than that? We shall wait and see, but for 2008 the weight reduction is due to the carbon fiber parts and the lighter wheels. The result is an outstanding 170 kg wet and that pretty much says a lot from a bike that looks the way the Bimota DB6R does.

The engine is taken right off the Hypermotard 1100 so it offers the greatness and finesse that a Ducati searches for and combined with the slipper clutch, there is simply no better alternative to it. Light, powerful and compact, Bimota’s new introduction stands for the greatest riding experience.

After the resurrection of the brand, the motorcycle public witnessed the first prototype that was to become a production model in the early 2006. It was, and still is, called the Bimota DB6 and it amazed with its lightness, quick handling and refined mechanics. The great thing is that for 2008, those features have been upgraded and gathered under the DB6R designation and the models would be produced in parallel even though the first had all to do with the second’s birth.

Competition

Our tendency is to compare it with its Italian correspondents and the first name that comes in everyone’s minds is, of course, Ducati, but this maker also supplies the engine for the DB6R, as we said before, so it would be useless to try and find an opponent in it.

The next best thing to compare it with is called the Benelli Tornado Naked Tre 1130 Sport Evo. Both Bimota and Benelli have been revamped so every market segment is radically important for them. Benelli’s Sport Evo is practically the best you can get from this maker in matters of naked bikes and at the end it all reduces to the liquid-cooled, four valves per cylinder double overhead camshaft with balancer shaft inline-triple engine that equips the alternative for the DB6R. I’ve recently rode the Benelli Sport Evo and to be honest, there was nobody to convince me that I could get more, until I met today’s subject of review.

Great Britain never misses its chance to stand out with their Triumph Speed Triple. The bike is practically the definition of a streetfighter and it is powered by a strong-pulling 131 horsepower engine mounted on a light and versatile chassis. It also comes with goodies such as the Brembo brakes and for $10,299 MSRP you simply can’t ask for more. Wait until you hear how much the Bimota requires!

Testimony of the attempt to keep the entire piece of machinery as light as possible is the way that the thing ended up looking. It is simply a sharp-looking roadster with features worthy on envy spread on its entire bodywork. The headlight is very stylish and unique and its small surrounding fairing offers the space for the front LED signal lights to make a good impression. Also fitted with an aerodynamic small screen, the front end looks complete and…Italian.

There isn’t much plastic on the sides to relate to so what designers did was to create the sharpest tank ever to be fitted on a naked or on any other bike in any given category. It really is a talent demonstration and we’ll be waiting a while until another one like it will show up.

What I found being the greatest thing is the almost horizontal positioned seat that will have you covered for miles and miles, although I don’t know is your passenger will have the same opinion. Ending up this harmony is the taillight and the double exhaust which fill in for the unnecessary plastic.

Its compactness speaks for itself and if a Ducati will show the L-shaped engine, the Bimota positions a small protective shield and a minuscule side panel which cuts away its emptiness. There are also a lot of easy to notice carbon fiber elements, fenders included.

Color combination is a carefully picked White (for any bike’s specific exterior elements such as the gas tank and the rear end) and Red (mainly for the frame and swingarm). The alloy rims aren’t covered in nothing, but bling.

Bimotas are known for most efficiently combining their bike’s lightness with the engine’s amazing power delivery and smoothness so the thing is that you feel like you learn riding again from the minute you’ve been introduced to it.

It is the easiest bike to ride and it will perform like no other when it comes to fast take offs and acrobatic figures (great torque from down low). Even though you won’t see me doing such thinks very often, I can definitely say that it is a lot of fun to ride and pop-up wheelies on right after you get out a tight corner in second gear.

The fact that its engine is so highly tuned and responsive, as well as the chassis, makes it the most craved toy among your average naked rider who won’t feel like benefiting of these impressive features without the impressive retail price. But that is a whole other story at which we will later come back to. The thing is that while riding it you feel like a faith’s spoiled child.

What I most appreciate at it is how fast the engine can be taken up to its 8500 RPM redline without any jerks and the awesome handling characteristics. This is what is so great about it: the fact that it makes any corner feel like a child’s play and I have really began feeling like crying for the DB6R. Even though not such a high-revving unit, the Ducati engine powers the bike incredibly efficient and uses the torque to leave the best impression about Italian bikes. And I like to consider it the culmination of the Italian naked as it incorporates the most refined features such as Marzocchi forks and Brembo brakes which, of course, contribute at the phenomenal riding experience.

Feeling well at home on the new Bimota is the easiest thing and it is all due to the ergonomically positioned handlebars, footpegs and seat. It becomes perfect for the average-sized person, but I must say that experience is indeed necessary in order to get the best out of it. And when you finally hope to have uncovered all of its secrets, the DB6R shows even greater road abilities.

The environment in which I usually test a naked is composed of successive twist and straight sections of road and this model in particularly reminds me of the speed a Supermoto bike would travel on the given sections. Even though not a speed machine, it can do 160 mph easily, but at that level the wind will become a bothering factor and don’t expect me to say more (vibrations for example), because there’s nothing that will ruin your ride or make you feel like there could be a better choice.

Conclusion

I would have to say that the Bimota DB6R will leave anyone with an open mouth because of the way it looks and performs. Yes, you couldn’t agree more, but what bikes will you start looking for immediately after completing reading this review? I reckon that the Speed Triple is the first on your list if the cheapest alternative is being searched.