Post-Listing Update: This Bimota SB8R Special sold for $8,000 after 17 bids on eBay.
I’ve featured a couple of SB8R’s before – they’re almost “common” in the world of Bimotas, ignoring how the words common and Bimota should never be used in the same sentence. But the Bimota SB8R Special lives up to its name, by taking the base bike and slathering it carbon and special black paint in a limited production run over 2 years.
Other upgrades included a matching carbon helmet, adjustable foot pegs, carbon gear shifter rod, and a couple of other little things. For all this you were charged about $1,500 extra. If you need a refresher, the base SB8R was powered by the wonderful V-Twin from a Suzuki TL (but then pumped up to 133 horsepower by the Italians) and was capable of hitting 170mph. It was also the first road bike to feature a carbon fiber composite chassis, and was loaded with components like an Ohlins shock (which is actually tucked under the tank with the airbox), Paioli forks, Brembo brakes, and Antera wheels. It might have been based on the TL, but for those who wanted exclusivity and features like an all carbon tail that doesn’t even have a frame to save 5 pounds, this was the only choice. For more on the SB8R, check out this review from Carole Nash.
This specific Bimota SB8R Special is the 2nd of approximately 150 ever built, and is being offered by the second owner. He purchased it back in 2001 with just 651 miles on the odometer, now it has 2,071. It has Marchesini magnesium wheels and an Arrow CF exhaust, because apparently this bike wasn’t special enough from the factory! Unfortunately, there are some cracks in the paint surface, but the seller includes some photos showing the extent of the problem.
Find this Bimota SB8R Special for sale in San Diego, California with bidding up to $6,766 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $10,000