Bimota YB5
With Phil Aynsley
Unveiled at the 1986 Cologne Motor Show, the Bimota YB5 was Massimo Tamburini’s final design for the company he co-founded.
It went on sale the following year and 196 bikes and 12 kits were sold for a total of 208 over a two-year production period. What is unusual for a Bimota is that it is not a fully focused sports bike, but with the offering of a bike, moreover a very sporty touring bike.
The engine is Yamaha’s 1188 cc air-cooled unit from the FJ1200 and delivers an easy amount of torque alongside 130hp at 9000rpm. With a dry weight of 210 kg, the car is about 25 kg lighter than the FJ1200 and reaches a top speed of more than 240 km/h.
Handling is excellent with a great combination of high-speed stability, quick steering and agility. The chassis’ 1455 mm wheelbase is combined with 23.5 degrees and 90 mm trail and incline figures, both figures commonly associated with much smaller motorcycles.
The 18-inch wheels are fitted with 60-inch Michelin tires, providing the same rolling diameter as a 16-inch wheel. The thin-walled Chrome-moly steel frame is combined with beautifully machined alloy engine panels to create a very sturdy chassis.
The only downside to the whole package, aside from the price (which can happen with a Bimota), is that this bike can be quite uncomfortable to ride for any distance – and I write this with experience. mine!
I was lucky enough to lend a bike for a couple of weeks, the day before (when Ian Gowanloch was an Australian importer) and found that the combination of a very stiff rear suspension setup and a very cushioned saddle Thin is not good on our often less flat roads.
The real problem, however, is the amount of engine heat transferred to the rider’s shins due to the narrow gap between the fender and the bodywork. Even in the middle of winter and wearing full leather and high boots, the explosion is almost unbearable! My mind crinkles at the thought of a long summer trip…
The YB5 is still a Bimota and one of the better looking to boot (third in my eyes after the DB1 and YB4), so it’s still a highly anticipated bike to date. now.
| Bimota YB5 . Specifications | |
| Engine | Air-cooled, four-cylinder, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, 1188cc |
| Diameter x stroke of piston | 77 x 63.8 mm |
| Compression | 9.7:1 |
| Guide | Four 36 mm . Mikuni carburetors |
| Power | 130 hp @ 9000 rpm |
| torque | 108 Nm @ 7500 rpm |
| gear | five speeds |
| Frames | Sealed dual rack frame, with connection plates |
| plate | Marzocchi 42 mm . fork |
| Shock | Center shock absorber |
| brake | 280 mm propeller, two front, one rear |
| dry weight | 210kg |
