A Good Sign for the Survival of Bimota (or perhaps just wishfulthinking?)

[dnovo]

Looking at the DB5 I acquired as my first new Bimota from the revived company, I was very happy with its fit, finish, and performance. If Bimota is going to survive as a company, it needs to not only do as it has announced, and sell a high end, highly finished and 'exclusive' bike, but, to be blunt, hit 'em where they ain't and come up with a product that has a particular feature or fills a niche some other company is no longer addressing.

The DB5, IMHO, fills that bill. A purely focused sport ride, mid 300 pounds (364) built with the best suspension bits, finely machined and great looking, and using a simple but reliable engine -- the outstanding Ducti 1000DS. Since the demise of the Ducati 1000DS SS, Ducati has left this niche and now builds sports bikes only with the 4v motors. Heavier, more complex, and distinct from the DB5. So, as I said, a good start at 'hit em where they ain't.'

Now, how about their latest effort in that field -- the third iteration of the concept the old Bimota pioneered and the only one now offered on the market, hub steering and a unique 'chassis' (or lack thereof) -- the Tesi?

I suggest that this too may be a good call and a good 'hit em where they ain't.' More coimments tomorrow, with pictures of all three generations including the rarely seen (and as far as I know, rarely built) Tesi 2D as well as some comments on differences between the three generations.

Ta ta for now. Dave

[dnovo]

The first street versions of the Tesi were innovative, a 'period piece' in that they reflected the vision of that era in 'new thinking' in cycling, and, when all was said and done, a bit overdone, underperforming, and not really anything that lead to any progeny in the short term, nor profits for Bimota. The latter is a well known issue, but the bike itself was, in my opinion, a good idea, only partly thought out as a 'production' bike.

Sometimes it is not a good idea to be completely different, something that I think can be seen in the newest, third generation Tesi. The original bike not only introduced hub steering in a 'production' street motorcycle, but then went with styling that was simply styling to be 'different' and with other ideas mixed in that were a disaster.

To start with, the basic design did remove the issues of fork compression in steering and braking, allowing an improvement in performance on the track and on the street. The problem with that was lack of front end response by way of 'dive' or feel in a corner or braking that failed to give the rider the feedback he needed to really push into a corner. My first ride impression was of uncanny comfort and lack of dive when braking. It was eery at first, but comfortable in a straight line. In a corner, I couldn't feel my limits, and went in and out slower than a conventional forked bike, by quite a bit. Even as I mproved with use, I could never get completely comfortable that I was pushing the limits, which took me a year to relax and explore. Switching back to one of my other bikes took a decided effort, and then back again caused the same adjustment. I finally got fairly fast on my Tesi 1Dsr, but the bikes other issues caused me to sell it.

The 'let's use a space age, electronic dash/brains for the injection' concept was a big mistake. First, it crapped out a lot, and needed to be replaced several times. The readouts were impossible to read quickly, and the bar graph tach the worst I ever used. The injection was fussy and hard to set up. Once set up, it was sensitive to changes in fuel quality or a bit of dirt, and just a hasssle.

Next, the decision to go with a long stroke version of the 851 4V was neither fish nor fowl, the mid range not any better than a stock 851 and power not up much, if at all.

Now to build and styling. Here is the basic first generation Tesi, a photo of one just like that I bought and later sold:



The styling was avant guarde for its era, but one that even then looked a bit bulky and perhaps a bit "Buck Rogers". The front steering system looked very heavy, a fact that proved true if it got even a bit out of kilter, which it did over some normal road hazards, and then took a lot of work by experts to put right. And, the many bits and pieces needed to be kept clean and up to snuff, or the system went out of wack in a hurry. Here is a shot of the front end and some shots of the steering set up:





Looks complex, heavy, and clunky. Unfortunately, looks were not deceiving and did not help sales.

The chassis itself was impressive, simple and neat plates, as this shot from the side, rear shows:



Unique? Sure. Did it work? It ran, and it handled, but not that much better if at all compared to a convential sport bike, and the cost and the glitches in the system made it a failure.

So, what happened to the concept next?

Dave

[dnovo]

When the "new" Bimota was formed, it didn't take long to return to the Tesi concept. The so-called second generation appears to be a prototype or bridge between what had gone before and what finally emerged as what I believe is going to be Bimota's real version of the 'new' Tesi, the 3D.

The Tesi 2D was, when announced, very expensive (prices floated at at $60,000 and the real delivered price of the small number built and perhaps sold is a matter of conjecture) and, as shown below, not something that looked quite finished. In detail, it had a mix of the old and some new concepts that do not appear to have been repeated, even in part, in the newer Tesi.

First, IMHO, it was frankly very ugly:





Maybe its mother loved it, but too much of a mix of 'naked', test platform, and just plain, 'stick on a part or a headlight, we've got to put something there.'

But, there were substantial changes in the suspension and 'frame' from the first generation:





Less mass, less 'parts', less potential of little bits and pieces to go haywire. Mechanically, quite different but still a bit 'klunky' looking and not really all that appealling to those looking for sophisticated engineering, but still with some grace and 'Italian flare.' Even so, a much improved effort. See the machine work on the frame plates, no longer a solid, heavy looking slab of metal, but now nicely machined out. But, check out the heavy and, again, just plain ugly and heavy-appearing swingarm:



Nice transition, but version three seems to be the serious effort to find that market 'niche' nobody else is trying to occupy.

Dave

[dnovo]

Earlier this year, as a 2008 model, the latest and (apparently) the version of the Tesi Bimota intended to seriously try to sell was announced, the Tesi 3D. Using the 1100DS engine now also found in the DB5 and DB6, the newest version uses a visually and mechanically 'lighter' trellis-style steering system, which is also one that allows a better angle for the steering, has fewer parts and is a design much better integrated into the overall design.



And, unlike the earlier Tesis, the trellis system in front is visually a near match for the same trellis that forms the rear swing arm, a design to also appears in almost identical form on the DB6. This makes the 3D look like an integrated design that does not jar the eye like the older models. And, the overall bike is visually and physically a match to its conventional brethern, the DB5 and 6. This is in stark contrast to the much heavier look and dimensions of the original Tesi next to the DB1. The 3D doesn't look obese nor clumsy. A design coup in and of itself and perhaps a lesson hard learned by Bimota this time around?

That theme follows through elsewhere in the new Test. The frame plates are even more simple than before, and more intergrated into the trellis at the front and rear. The overall styling is much akin to the other Bimotas, the DB5 and DB6 but is different enough to stand out without being out on its own limb.



Some other picts to let you see if you agree with my thoughts on this design:








Weight is up, but only 6 pounds over the DB5 at 370. Again, attention to detail and machining of each part cannot be faulted. Check out the exquisite execution of the containers for brake and clutch fluids, a true work of art:




Price? At $36,000 MSRP only a tad above the price of other Bimota and the same as most of the other models in the range. A lot of money? Sure, but what do you think the new 1098R wil be? How about some of the Harley Screaming Eagle models?

And it is exclusive, once again the only bike of its kind in the world, a hub steering model. Does it work? This time, the press had no complaints about the suspension, only that they did not see it offering much of an advantage over the DB5 or other convential bikes. They also said it takes getting used to.

Agree with all of that, but if you want something that is unique, and beautiful, Bimota may have 'hit it wher they ain't' with the 3D and, hopefully, they may have found a real niche to sell within this time and stay in business.

Time will tell, but meanwhile, at least I think they pulled it off, as should be obvious in the change in my signature.

Dave

[froryde]

Dave,

Thanks again for another wonderful write up. The Tesi (more specifically the 2D) has always been my dream bike. The European version (?) of the 2D looks a little different with a bikini fairing / screen and with air shocks instead of coil-overs.

Are you sure you're not Bimota's PR man?

Phil

[dnovo]

No, actually I am sharply critical of some of the old company's marketing and design decisions and feel the jury is still out on the new company. Their US distribution is in the hands of someone who I am not sure really is into motorcycles at all, and the way they are being sold and marketed here leaves a whole lot to improve. I have been fortunate in dealing with the one dealer who seems to be dedicated to this marque, Bob Steinbugler at BimotaSpirit. If you go to his website, you will see he maintains a massive personal collection of what is the best group of vintage street and racing Bimotas in the US, if not in the world. He knows the marque, has sources for parts for the older bikes in Europe, and does not buy into the 'buy it because it is exclusive and expensive' which is the current mantra of the distributor rather than, 'buy them because they are beautifully built and a work of rolling art' which is how they SHOULD be sold.

As for the Tesi 2D, it is clearly different from the older and latest models, and obviously unique. There seems to be relationship to the Vyrus, but I was put off by the fussy appearance of the steering and complexity of that model as contrasted to the much simpler and more intergrated look of the 3D's trellis front end, fewer parts means less to go wrong.

Here, take a look at what I mean, 2D design first:



Now the 3D front assembly:



I prefer the well-known engineering principles of Murphy's Law (if something can go wrong it will) coupled with the KISS theory (since if something can go wrong it will, the less that there is to go wrong, the less likely failure) I suggest that the fewer parts needed to do the same job, the less likely failure of the system or, as in the original Tesi design, the less likely it is to get out of alignment or adjustment and then bind or drag in use, requiring constant and expensive adjustment.

Plus, the adoption of a trellis front end to match up to the trellis swing arm makes for a much better looking and more integrated design, in my opinion.

Dave

[ZAWA]

Dave, maybe you could cast some light on Cathcart's crash at Daytona on the Tesi. A good friend who was in the next pit, claims the front brake hit the track and was the cause of his crash. Again aother great bike.

[dnovo]

Which crash, on which model, and when? I wasn't aware of a specific Tesi crash until your post. Please advise. Of course, they don't call him Alan "Crashcart" for nothing Dave (Pardon me, "Sir" Alan)

[froryde]

Speaking of parts for older bikes, I am trying to find some Corse parts (slip-ons, 3 pcs fairings, fairing brackets...etc.) for my SB6. Short of going directly to Motocorse in Japan, might you know anyone who might have stock of these? Thanks!

Phil

[dnovo]

Bob Smith at Motopoint had some recently, or they were sold to someone who had them on ebay. You may want to try Bob Steinbugler at Bimota Spirit. Dave