Tesi 2D Ride Report and some thoughts

[dnovo]

With the Tesi 3D up getting some 'shakedown cruise' matters resolved, it was the turn of its Tesi 2D half-brother to go out with the SE Wisconsin Italian Moto Brunch crowd this moring. A chilling but good riding day, and the guys knew some incredible routes to Elkhorn Wisconsin, about a hour from here as the crow flies, but the way these guys ride along roads I haven't tried before, but are an absolute blast (great curves, no side roads, and, miracle for here in Flatland, even some small -- very small -- hills to play around with) a bit longer.

First things first, and as it is Italian, you really didn't expect it to come 100% working, did you? Mirrors wouldn't stay in place, and rotated in with the wind. Neutral light out, and when I got to the Starbucks where I was to meet the group, I noticed a dangling wire on the right side. They guys had the tools and the tester, and when we noticed the brake light was suddenly off, it became apparent it was a ground wire that was not solidly on, and that went back in -- as soon as we found the right fitting (you don't think I got a manual, do you?) the neutral light issue and the brake lights worked fine. A pair of 19mm open ends (well, one and an adjustable) and the mirrors were fixed. After that, four hours of riding today and no more mechanical issues at all.

Now how does it ride? It is about 30 or 40 pounds lighter than the already very light Tesi 3D, and it feels like it when you move it around at rest. A tad taller, which is about at the limit for my short legs at a light, and about as slender with the exception that the shock on the left side mounted high presses against your left knee when you tuck in tight. Not intrusive, but it makes it feel a tad bit wider than its slightly newer half brother. Underway, the Tesi 2D seems to react a bit quicker than the 3D, but not twitchy.

The two different front end systems react differently. The 3D feels almost plush as you ride, absorbing road ripple, minor bumps, etc with less feedback through the bars than the 2D. I think this is a trade off for a more track oriented front end than the 3D or it may simply be the difference in the shocks and front end build. Neither is 'dead' in feel, as some have suggested, and I found the handling on the 2D to take little 'learning' after riding the 3D. The same lack of front end dive etc in braking, as expected, and the overall grip seems about equal. It was too could today for me to get the tires warm, and an early moring fog left enough moisture on the road along with fall leaves (and the fact that the rear end needs to be tuned up a bit to adjuct for my weight as my dealer set it up for him, and I assume he is lighter by the way it reacts, to really push hard in corners. So I have not tested the limits on this bike yet. Will do so when I can get some dry roads and some break in mile on a set of tires and then get them warm. Today, all I wanted to do was get myself warm, it was 31 when I got up!!!

One other point on ride impression: Looking at the saddle (picts to follow in the next series of posts) it looks like pure torture, an aftertought on a race chassis. Not at all. Four hours of hard riding and no numb butt at all. The seat fits me perfectly, and the padding and the central gap leaves your, er sensitive? parts just fine after a long ride. Several others sat on it and remarked that it was surprisingly comfortable. Different than the other new BImotas (and I found my Tesi 3D very comfortable as well) but a good design.

The riding position is also more upright than it would seem. After four hours, no stiff neck and no aching wrists. It rides and feels like a 'naked' bike even the the bars are clearly more track oriented. A unique and uniquely comfortable fit and feel.

Which brings me to this next paint, damn the regulators. In Europe, the bike has a small windshield over the light. You can see the fitting points on the US model. Apparently the feds thought it was somehow dangerous and said no. I am scouting for one in Italy now and plan on fitting it to knock down some of the wind buffet, which is consideable at high speeds.

And what did I get up to today? Good question. As should be obvious from the pictures, the tach and waring lights you need to see (neutral, now that it works, low fuel, and oil pressure warning) are easy to see placed off to the side of the huge tach with its easy to set shift light. Speedo? That's the tiny screen under the tach that you will see in the pictures. 100% impossible to see when riding, and only visible if you crouch down by the tank off the bike and look hard. Oh well, need to do the calculation, but 7000 rpm in 6th and the wind buffeting got a bit much, until you lean forward over the tank, boy racer style.

Feels a bit less 'oomph' out of corners than the 3D, which is no doubt a function of the smaller engine and perhaps gearing. Both bikes respond very well, the fueling on this bike spot on, no glitches, not hickups, no nothing. Runs like a champ and pulls like Jack the Bear.

Now some thoughts on the bike. First, there is no question that styling or sacrifice of function for form was not in the minds of Vyrus when they built this bike. (The Tesi 2D was built by Vyrus as their 853, with Bimota badging 25 as a Tesi 2D. The 3d is, I understand, an inhouse design and build.) The front and rear suspension is different, as is the chassis. The only design parameters shared is that both bikes are hub steered, both use 2V Ducati Dual Spark engines, the 3D using the 1100 and the 2D the 1000, but that is about it.

But Bimota went for an more unified look and beauty in the 3D. The 2D is pure function, and styling be damned. I like it, as the ultimate statement of 'industrial chic' perhaps.

First example other than the obvious, everything just hangs out (visibile in the shocks, adjustments, and everything else just out there where the fit and work best) is the mirrors. The absolute best on any Bimota ever. Why? They were added on to a race bike, with small, rectangular aluminum mounts coming off the headlight cluster and a pair of largish, almost infinitely adjustable mirror with turn signal mounted on them (which you can see work, and remember to cancel as the edge of each can be seen by the rider at the outer edge as they flash.) The result is you can set them out as far as you need and see traffic on both sides as far back as necessary.

I had an initial issue with vibration on one side only after I tighted them down at the first stop. I that the mounting post was loose, until I stopped in at a local dealership to check on my Aprilia being serviced and we found that the bolt that goes through the front of the mount was missing. A 4mm bolt later, no more vibration and the 2D gets the 'hey, the mirrors really work on an Italian sportbike' award!

What else about the design shows function over form? The carbon air duct on the left front is purely functional, with no effort made to blend it into the design at all. The engine mounting points, the wiring, etc is all purely functional and no corners are cut for looks - nor price as the mounting bolts, the fastenings for the body parts and every other bit on this bike is of incredible quality.

But looks? Unique but if you love it -- and I do -- then it is a love of function. Next to the 3D, it almost looks like a home brewed racer. Fast, but a bit of a 'bitsa.'

Having said that, I love it, and it too is a keeper. And no longer available as a Bimota I understand. The Vyrus is still in production, I believe, but at a higher price. This bike and other 2Ds sold for far less than the original asking price. Frankly, I woudn't have paid that ask, but as they sold out, they came down from 'stupid' pricing to a level in line with the rest of the product line. Looking at the parts and level of care that went into this bike, I assume Bimota lost money on each one, as I suspect they are on the current 3D looking at the fit and finish of that bike. A nice addition to a Bimota collection. If one comes up for sale, give it a serious thought. Dave

[froryde]

Great stuff! Glad to see that you've finally decided to add the 2D as well!

I've always loved the industrial look of the 2D, but as you pointed out, the EU version is better with the windscreen.

Bravo I say!

[ZAWA]

Dave, you are right the Tesi 2D does have that back yard look our as you say a bitsa. You really can see were the 3D is made to be a real piece of eye candy and a more finished product. The Tesi 2D is still a piece of bimota history and still deserves its place in the sun.

[dnovo]

Yes, but unfortunately we had no sun here this weekend. It had it's place in the overcast however. Dave