I think you all know by now that I’m a huge Bimota fan (at least in terms of what the company was before they got bought by Kawasaki). My personal Tesi 3D is one of my favorites from their portfolio, as is the SB8K Santamonica – which is probably the ultimate form of a Suzuki TL1000R. Here’s an example that’s never been ridden (which is a bummer, but hopefully you can fix that).
In this 2006 First Ride on Motorcyclist, Brian Catterson notes that he had first been given the opportunity to ride the SB8K in 2000, but the next morning at WSBK in Misano, “the Bimota truck was nowhere to be seen. Drowning in debt from its failed Vdue two-stroke project, the company had gone out of business.”
The SB8K Santamonica (named after the race track now called Misano), was the successor to the SB8R, and it had tremendous potential – Catterson noted that “what I would have written back in 2000, had there been a point, was that the SB8K was the best twin-cylinder sportbike I’d ever ridden; more than a match for the reigning Ducati 996 and miles better than the rotary-shocked Suzuki TL1000R from which its engine was derived.”
Bimota claimed 143 horsepower and a dry weight of just 385 pounds for the SB8K, but by the time it was actually released the design was nearly a decade old and bikes like the Ducati 999 had surpassed the Bimota dynamically. And the price point didn’t help – MSRP was a staggering $45,900, $15k more than a 999R. As you’d expect, the components were top notch – Ohlins 43mm forks and monoshock, radially mounted Brembo brakes, OZ forged wheels, and ample carbon fiber.
The photos for this example (#8 of 50) are incredibly low resolution but it does look to be new. To be frank, I wanted this for Iconic but I think it’s just too expensive. With that said, I haven’t spoken with the seller so maybe he’s got some flexibility – and anyone that’s got a photo of a Britten on the wall can’t be too bad! It’s offered on a MSO and the seller says he has a full history, this bike was part of MotoPoint’s collection (the Bimota importer at the time). Extras include “carbon fiber racing gas tank , BIMOTA Billet controls with double B Bimota Logos.BIMOTA Titanium Racing Side Stand , Custom made upgrades , extras and spare parts, Billet accents and , Carbon fiber mirrors , BIMOTA RACING UNOBTANIUM carbon fiber racing air box assembly . Titanium fasteners and hardware throughout the bike , ONE OFF Custom Billet Clutch Cover , OEM and Custom Racing Rear Sets , Locking Carbon Fiber & titanium Billet Aluminum Gas Cap , Moto Corse Billet Aluminum Micro Turn signals , Billet Front Chain Guard , Billet Frame protectors / sliders , Brembo GP billet racing rear brake caliper & custom made mounting bracket , Billet front Wheel Lock assembly , Custom made Rear LED Taillight assembly , Carbon Fiber Racing Battery Box , BIMOTA Rear Wheel Storage / Display Stand , Spare parts ( Front and Rear BIMOTA OEM Sprockets for gearing changes , spare parts for maintenance,, and the sale includes a spare TL1000R engine with 200 miles.
Find this SB8K for sale in Englewood, Colorado for $36,000 here on Craigslist.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Bill H!