Bb1 - Ducati.ms

DaleOrto · Oct 21st, 2007, 12:26 am

Hi guys,
new to the list.
Im a guzzi/laverda/gilera/aermacchi owner. I have been looking at BIMOTA for a few years.

Looking for advice on a BB1. From what i know..its a 600cc Rotax single. its under 400 pds.
but what i would like to know is the seat height. I like singles. and short of a Supermono duc..this might be the most serious single out there.
Does anyone have a BB1? What kind of money do they go for?
Is the bike small enough for 5'3" woman to ride. You see it easier for me to buy it for my wife...than to buy it for me.

take care
DaleOrto

dnovo · Oct 21st, 2007, 8:10 am

I rode one in Europe some years ago. Since I am inseam challanged (28") I am tall bike phobic. I recall being able to ride easily, but that may have been a function of width rather than height. It is always easier to handle a narrow bike. (I can almost flatfoot my Tesi even with the 31+" seat height because it is extremely narrow.)

Having said that, I don't think many Supermonos came into the US. Bob Smith, the then distributor, did not think there was much of a market for them and would only bring them in on special order.

And, to be frank, I wasn't that impressed when I rode one. Not that much grunt and a fair amount of vibs. For the money, I thought the YB9 was a much better proposition. Dave

ZAWA · Oct 21st, 2007, 9:43 am

They are small I did not think I could ride it 6' 33'' inseam. There used to be a couple of them in Fl. but I think they are gone now. Like Dave says very narrow so would be easy get feet on the ground.

DaleOrto · Oct 21st, 2007, 8:33 pm

I saw a BB1 up at the superbike races in Elkhart lake about 8 years ago...but i think bob smith was there with a bunch of bikes. Seems he brought a ton of bikes with him..I believe Hansen's Motorsports was the only Bimota dealer in Wisconsin in the 1990s. I saw PCS in fla had one for sale in the late 90s..but havent seen any for sale recently.
DaleOrto

dnovo · Oct 21st, 2007, 9:35 pm

Dealing with Mitch Hansen was a pleasure. I bought all my first round of Bimotas through him. I believe he was involved with Corse Superbikes when it started, and now runs a race team. I remember the bikes Bob had up at Road America, and recall at least one BB1. Never real popular here in the US, nor was the YB9, most buyers opting for either Ducati power or the larger Japanese engined range. Dave

Nick2208 · Oct 21st, 2007, 10:34 pm

I have one, so I'll tell you what I can. The motor's a 650 Rotax, from the BMW F series, and the owner's manual claims 160 Kg (350 lbs.). Accurate or not, it feels quite light, which is helped by the fuel tank being under the engine. The seat height, from the manual, is 780 mm (30.7 in.). Being in the short inseam catagory myself (29"), I can't quite flat foot it, but it's fairly narrow, which helps, as previously noted. A long inseam might be a disadvantage, since it has about the shortest peg to seat distance of any bike I know. It's a good 2-3 inches less than most sportbikes.

I got mine like new (750 mi.) five years ago, for around $10k. The info I got at the time, was that 5 or 6 were imported, but you had to be a bit "creative" with the paperwork. Fortunately for me, it already had a title from another state, which was good enough for my DMV

It's obviously not a rocket (but that's what the big bikes are for!), and not as smooth as a multi cylinder, but it's a blast to ride. I also would like to see a Duc Supermono on the street, but this is probably as close as it'll get!

Nick

rodericb · Oct 21st, 2007, 11:29 pm

Here's an interesting article about a mechanics experience with the Bimota BB1: http://www.moto-one.com.au/performan...supermono.html

DaleOrto · Oct 22nd, 2007, 8:25 pm

Great article..thanks
SO, I know every dyno is different.
but i would have hoped for more than 55hp. Especially with lots of mods.
Im trying to thinkg of what my buddies 660cc Yamaha MuZ puts out..im thinking its jsut around 50hp..and its completely stock.

So the BB1 is about 15hp off a 2 valve 900SS duc. and probably 100pds lighter! would make for a great ride...maybe if one pops up for sale..ill jump on it.
thanks alot guys.
DaleOrto

dnovo · Oct 23rd, 2007, 8:44 am

Here's my spin on this, FWIW: The Supermono was primarily a racing concept. For the street, the contemporary DB was a much better choice. The weight difference between the two is not that great (hell, my DB1 is just a tad over 320 and the DB2 and 4 only about 30 or so pounds lighter with the lighter carbon or ti exhaust and other tasty bits) and the 900SS engine capable of a whole lot more power with a whole let less fuss and more relaiblity than screwing around trying to make a Rotax single put out anywhere near the same horsepower.

So I'd chase down a DB2 or a DB4. I know there are at least 2 new 2000 models of the DB4ie still available for purchase.

Since I see that you live in Kenosha, and I leave just south of you in Pleasant Prairie, why not drop me a pm and then stop over and I'll give you a first hand look at the DBs and you see what you think. Dave

dnovo · Oct 23rd, 2007, 9:11 am

By the way, if you are still lusting for a high tech, Italian single cycl bike, the Europeon press has announced that the long awaited Cagiva Mito 500 wil be avialable in 2008 badged as an MV. With 80hp and state of the art suspension etc, and priced, I am sure, well below what a BB1 would cost if you could find one, that may be another route to consider. Dave