BIMOTA values OEM/stock vs modified ???

[daotoys1]

BIMOTAs seem somewhat unique in that alot of them are not left in OEM/Stock condition except by collectors.

For example; The BIMOTA USA importer Bob Smith frequently would modify and upgrade the BIMOTAs he sold out of his dealership Moto Point. Ive know many BIMOTA USA dealers to also offer modified models for sale as "Special Order" and/or "Limited Edition" upgrades. And when these bikes are/were sold frequently the take off OEM/stock parts did not go with the bikes.

The German BIMOTA importer at one time made available a "Special Order/Limited Edition" semi naked "NUDA" that they the importer made up using the YB11 and SB6R models, and these sold with mixed results mostly in Europe, and Japan from what I was told.

Moto Corse of Japan is well known to modifies the BIMOTAs they sell.

And of course many BIMOTA owners, especially if they are riding them, seem to upgrade/modify their rides.

It seems that BIMOTAs are left in OEM/stock condition most often if they are in a collection ( even if its a collection of 1 )......

How important is it to keep the OEM/stock take off parts if/when you upgrade and/or modify a BIMOTA?

I can see that if you modify a bike and do not keep the take off parts you have a smaller resale buyer population because some buyers want a OEM/stock bike ( collectors...). I also know that if/when you upgrade/modify a bike you usually do not get your money back for the high cost customizing the bike, and that it can be harder to find a buyer wanting your idea of an "improved bike".

Most of the BIMOTA owners I know do modify their bikes and most often sell the take off parts.

Id like to hear peoples thoughts on this topic.

Thanks for reading

Happy New Year and best of Heath and Prosperity

[Ducatierv]

I've owned many Bimotas in the past and have only one now and YB11 with Attack race engine fitted. I would say out of the 10 or so bikes I owned only a few were really modifed from the factory specs. I believe most of the improvements you have come across are most likely as a result of owners wanting to just improve performance to (then) current levels rather than selling and buying new. I don't think the improvments hurts residual values but as you have pointed out the investments made are rarely recouped totally or even partially in some cases.

[ZAWA]

With most bimota's they did not work right from the factory. If you want to ride them and enjoy them, they need to be setup, they came poorly setup from the factory.

If you want to put it in your living room and look at it no problem they are works of art.

Many problems were caused by money problems, The Antera wheels they had to buy so many to get them made it took a decade to use them. They are very nice looking but they are heavy and soft. They just kill the way the bike works. I have never had a bike change so much as a bimota with light wheels, day and night differance.

Most models have fueling problems and they need to be dealt with.

The Exhaust mufflers are heavy and affect bikes like the SB6 and SB6R and SB8R were they sit quite high on the bike. On the SB6R carbon mufflers took about 30lbs. off. Take any bike and strap 30lbs behind your butt and see how this makes things feel different.

Bottom line I try to make right because I ride them,I don't worry about resale.
There are a lot of bimota's out there with no miles or very little use for the collectors.

Most stock parts like the wheels and mufflers do not bring much if sold, body parts and some frame parts are Gold. Light wheels and exhausts tend to sell for Gold.

This is not made to be negative just some facts as I see them. They are some of greatest bikes ever made and a passion of mine.

[Ducatierv]

Originally Posted by ZAWA

Many problems were caused by money problems, The Antera wheels they had to buy so many to get them made it took a decade to use them. They are very nice looking but they are heavy and soft. They just kill the way the bike works. I have never had a bike change so much as a bimota with light wheels, day and night differance...

I would certainly agree with you on all those points! which leads me to ask what wheels did you use to replace the Anteras with? I know the wheel was used, albeit with different bearings for numerous models and thinking of what alternatives I have to the ones on my YB11?

[ZAWA]

Originally Posted by Ducatierv

I would certainly agree with you on all those points! which leads me to ask what wheels did you use to replace the Anteras with? I know the wheel was used, albeit with different bearings for numerous models and thinking of what alternatives I have to the ones on my YB11?

The front off a 916,996 or 99 on 900ss would work. They use a 25mm axle all that is needed is a spacer for the speedo drive. Brake disks are the same for the bimota's and the Duck's. Any wheels Marvic, Marchesini, Dymag that fit the above Duck's should work. The front is the biggest change and would cure a lot of problems on the front of the YB11.

The rear is more work, wheels that work on the older Ducati D.S. swingarms are what I have used. The bimota has a 20mm axle and they are 17or18mm. Most after market wheels use spacers that fit into a larger bearings, you would just drill or cut to 20mm.. The spacer on the Driveside needs to be about 2-3mm wider, just can't remember, and thats it.

The brake side is were the fun is the disk on the Ducati sets 10mm out from the bimota's. I have milled the caliper mounts 5mm and the plate it mounts to 5mm.. You may also be able to take this off the wheel but could be a lot more work but would be a little cleanier looking. I think there maybe some other ways, but have not checked them out.

I forgot the rear disk has to have mounting holes drill out.

[goodoldguy]

Sorry to say I think the Antera wheels on this DB4 are breathtaking
I dont want to ruin another real expensive rim that cost so much after a big bump, I'll keep the most beautiful design anywhere right where it is.
(someone show me a more beautiful design on a rim than these Antera Rims ?)
I just had the Antera rims off, they are heavy but who cares and the idea
of everything else on this perfect bike , engine , Frame, body parts makes it all one
flawless package. Setup , sorry the suspension , fuel injection etc (perfect)
All I can say after 40 bikes in the past , such a proven 904 Ducati motor
with such a light bike to begin with, I couldnt ask for such an easy maintenance bike. Everything comes off this bike so well, all the body parts in easy sections.
Electronics a dream. Just about anything I need for parts can be sourced easily.
I ride somewhat more carefully and dont expect to be replacing any body parts.
Simplicity thats what keeps you able to ride longer without a more complex bike to maintain.

[daotoys1]

Originally Posted by goodoldguy

Sorry to say I think the Antera wheels on this DB4 are breathtaking
I dont want to ruin another real expensive rim that cost so much after a big bump, I'll keep the most beautiful design anywhere right where it is.
(someone show me a more beautiful design on a rim than these Antera Rims ?)
I just had the Antera rims off, they are heavy but who cares and the idea
of everything else on this perfect bike , engine , Frame, body parts makes it all one
flawless package. Setup , sorry the suspension , fuel injection etc (perfect)
All I can say after 40 bikes in the past , such a proven 904 Ducati motor
with such a light bike to begin with, I couldnt ask for such an easy maintenance bike. Everything comes off this bike so well, all the body parts in easy sections.
Electronics a dream. Just about anything I need for parts can be sourced easily.
I ride somewhat more carefully and dont expect to be replacing any body parts.
Simplicity thats what keeps you able to ride longer without a more complex bike to maintain.

I thank you and respect your position. For me however I like to improve on any bike that I ride. For a bike I collect, I keep the stock, but if its I bike to ride then I usually follow a formula to improve the bike. If we are taking about a SuperSport or SuperBike, then I usually will go with racing wheels, GP Brakes and Full Race Spec Suspension, Racing Exhaust, and titanium throughout. I also do alot of custom made components to lighten the weight of the bike. I usually will not do to much with the engine because I want maximum reliability.

I use to race as a young man. Now that Im older I like to ride aggressively and 99% of my riding is on the paved canyons of our high Rocky Mountains just outside my back door here in Colorado USA. We have the highest paved road in North America with a summit of 14,260+ feet above sea level. I live at 6000 feet above sea level. An engine will loose about 3% of power for each 1000 feet elevation. Alot of my riding is in the 8000 to 10000 feet level.

I feel that a bike stock out of the box is in many ways an empty canvas that begs to be improved upon. This at least is my thinking.

If you like your DB4 in stock condition, you should try one that has been upgraded similar to my way of doing things. I would bet you would love it even more. But maybe not.

Again I honor and respect your opinion, so I do not wish to fight or argue the point of view. Its just that some of us like to improve upon the bikes we ride. Maybe if I was never into racing ( 20 years of it) I would have a different point of view. But at the very least you should try a DB4 with lighter wheels. You could go with DOT racing wheels made of forged aluminum. Much lighter weight than the cast and much stronger than going with Magnesium. I personally like magnesium and carbon fiber wheels, but again thats just me.

Just lightening a bike makes it perform and handle better. And the difference can be shocking. Upgrades to things like the brakes and suspension are actually improving on not just the performance and handling of the bike but the make the bike safer to ride as well.

About half of my bikes I ride, and these get modified. The other half that I have as collector items I tend to keep in OEM/Stock condition. So you could say that I believe in both philosophies. Stock for collecting, and upgraded for riding.

Thanks again for your reply.

[Ducatierv]

I think there is definitely a more noticeable change based on improvements for certain models. My Tesi and DB2 handled beautifully stock except for say Arrow slipons whereas all three YB11's and SB6R handled less than adequate. I spent tons of time trying to dial them in but they all handled the same and I have been very unhappy with that situation. I know it’s the equipment especially the Piaoli suspension/forks and the Antera wheels as ZAWA pointed out earlier. I even had Penske make me three way shock and that helped but still didn't eliminate the issues. I think changing the wheels and most likely the forks will. When I get the enthusiasm back again I will tackle those components first