Bimota’s third bike with a Kawasaki engine, the KB3 was limited to a production run of just 112 units. The Italian firm’s lineup at the time included the KB2 (GPz550 engine) KB3 (KZ1000 engine), the HB2 (CB900), HB3 (CB1100), and the SB4 (GS1100). You all know the usual classic Bimota formula by now – honkin’ Japanese engines mated to a Bimota chassis that could actually manage the power. Compared to the base KZ1000J of the time, the KB3 was 65 pounds lighter and much more compact.
In a July 1984 review, Motorcyclist Magazine gushed over the KB3: “It stops harder, corners better than any street bike we have tried and beyond any doubt the quickest motorcycle we have ridden over a fast bumpy and twisty road…Bimota’s KB3 is one of the truly great machines of our time – innovative, inspiring, magnificent in its construction and wholly successful in its pursuit of uncompromised speed.” On the flip side, they also called it “perhaps the most uncomfortable machine you can buy,” but you’re not buying this to commute with.
This example was first titled in Switzerland covered about 12,500 miles (good for the first owner!) before it was sold to an Italian collector. The sellers say that it’s in original condition with perfect patina and that it will require minor service – oil/filter change, carb clean, etc. There’s also some cosmetic wear evident in photos that is not fully detailed in the text description. Find this KB3 for sale here on Raider Moto for $23,900.