Bimota SB8RS vs Bimota SB8K Santa Monic ????

[daotoys1]

I have ridden the Bimota SB8RS bike, but I have not ridden a Bimota SB8K Santa Monica....

Is there anyone here who has ridden both these bikes that can give me a comparison/review between the two?

I have seen the SB8K Santa Monica, and I am impressed with its fit and finish. And I own a few SB8RS bikes so I know them well. I am considering selling 1 of my SB8RS bikes to pick up a SB8K Santa Monica just to have the variety.

If given the choice between having one or the other, which would you pick and why???

Thanks for any replys, I appreciate any helpful input....

[bimotard]

I have a SB8K Gobert and a SB8R.
The behavior is very similar,probably SB8K is more comfortable and more agile in curves
SB8R is a beast due to the Motocorse exhaust.

[The Saint]

If it was one or the other, I'd take an SB8R. I just like the look of the bike better. But the fuel injection system alone on the Santamonica makes it worth owning!

Since you already have "a few" SB8Rs, I'd definitely replace one of them with a Santamonica. Or, depending on how many you have, replace a couple of them with a DB7!

[daotoys1]

The Bimota SB8RS does have 59mm throttle bodies, and WM corse FI system with MicroTech adjustable fuel maps. The Santa Monica has 52mm radial shower style FI with 2 maps.

The SB8RS has a more intense mid and high end power delivery, where the Santa Monica has a smoother road manner and smoother low rpm power delivery.

The Santa Monica has R&T Ohlins forks, but the SB8RS has a higher race spec SuperBike Paioli fork.

The Santa Monica has full catbon body work, and lighter forged wheels. The SB8RS has part plastic and part carbon body work and heavy cast wheels.

A few people have told me the Santa Monica is better as a sports street bike, where the SB8RS is a better hard core race/track bike.

The fit and finish of the SB8RS is rougher and less refined than the Santa Monica.

So they are similar with the same frame and engine, but everything else is different. So having one of each is a great idea.

I currently have 3 SB8RS (Specials #5, #6, and #10 of 150). one bike is brand new and totally stock, the other 2 are very highly modified and set up as road legal full race spec superbikes; Marshesini magnesium wheel sets, GP Brembo billet monoblock calipers front, GP billet caliper rear, narrow band rotors in front, Moto Corse rear brakes and full Ti exhaust, custom made cooling systems, custom aluminum battery boxes with corse battery, adjustable speed shifters and shift lights, heavily modified engines, and lots of custom detailing through out.

The new/stock SB8RS is a collector item, the 2 other SB8RS bikes are for play. I also have a hugh amount of new spares including mag wheel sets, full ti exhausts, full body work, GP brake sets, even a new spare race spec engine.

I do all my riding in the mountain canyons. And the Bimotas are great for this.

Lately I have decided to sell off my off road collection ( TMs, VORs, Vertematis...Italian exotics) and thin out my road bikes to focus on adding a few new exotic Italiam/european road bikes.

Right now I have a Tesi 3D I am getting this month, and I have a SB8K, DB6R, and DB7 on my want list.

The Santa Monica is a more refined and better bike if you are talking about the fit and finish and end detailing of the bikes body work. And for street riding may be better mannered. But the SB8RS is a great high performance framework , especially if you want a bike to modify to both increase performance and lower weight.

thanks for all the input....

[bimotard]

It´s impossible to explain it better.
The Bimota DB7 is magnificent, I have tried it for three days.
It´s necessary to have a lot of care with the brakes, stops too much.
Excuse me for my bad english.

[daotoys1]

Originally Posted by bimotard

It´s impossible to explain it better.
The Bimota DB7 is magnificent, I have tried it for three days.
It´s necessary to have a lot of care with the brakes, stops too much.
Excuse me for my bad english.

Could you start a new thread and give us a ride report/review on the DB7? Im sure there are a lot of members wanting to know more about the latest Bimota SuperBike.

Regarding the DB7; Im rather short legged, with a 30 inch inseam. I can flat foot both feet when sitting on the new Tesi 3D.....whats the seat height like on the DB7? I personally like to be able to touch the ground when a bike is at rest or at a stop. Here in Colorado where I do canyon/mountain riding, there is often sand and/or gravel on the road and sometimes stops are found on tight turns and in awkward situations where not being able to put your feet down means you drop the bike.

On a race/track bike its a different story, but on a road bike I consider being able to put your feet down when stopped as a standard safety feature. The bikes I ride all allow this even if I need to modify the bike to lower the ride height.

This of course is personal choice, and Im an old guy in my mid 50s. But Ive seen plenty of young whipper snappers drop their new crotch rockets at a stop sign or light on a off camber and or slope. Being able to put both feet down ( which I consider the ideal... but at least one foot down at the least; flat footed and not just on tippy toes).

Sorry to take a tangent....please forgive my wandering ....it must be the old age creeping up on me again

[bimotard]

My wife has a DB5 Biposto and she told me that is easier DB7 than DB5 for to put his feet on the floor.
The Bimota DB7 is more comfortable than SB8, is a motorcycle easy to drive slowly and after turns a beast if you want it.
The 1098 engine is fantastic and the frame and the brakes too.
I am thinking to buy it very soon.

My wife on DB7 in Albacete circuit.

[bimotard]

One picture, Gobert´s cockpit.

[daotoys1]

Originally Posted by bimotard

One picture, Gobert´s cockpit.

Personally I think that this is one of the best looking instrument cluster in motorcycling. Generally I like analog gauges, but for high tech, this set of gauges looks great. Thanks for posting the pictures....

[bimotard]

More pictures: