DB5 vs DB5R A Worthwhile Upgrade

[dnovo]

My first post-bankruptcy, 'new' Bimota was a DB5. Nice bike, but lacking a few areas and traded off after a couple years. Pictures below:







So Bob took a nearly-new DB5R (less than 100 miles) in trade on a DB7 and I was intrigued. I liked my original DB5 and the newer model had the upgraded engine (1100DS) slipper clutch, better wheels (OZ) suspension bits and upgraded bodywork. They also replaced the earlier dash (which had the LCD readout below the analog tach, and that made the speedo impossible to read while riding because of the angle) with the newer dash. Fortunately, they left the adjustable rearsets that were on the original DB5 and are missing from the newer models.

The weather sucks here, but got it out briely and I must say that Bimota has spent some quality time upgrading earlier models. Here are a few shots:







Meanwhile, it is snowing a bit, so thank God for a nice Quad to play around doing donuts in a couple feet of snow. Dave

[dnovo]

In response to a pm, the rearsets on the DB5 and 5R have a very simple, and very effective adjustment. If you look in the second photo of each bike shown above, you will see an Allen head on the front of the frame mounting plate ahead of the rearsets. That bolt and the lower bolt on the rearsets are loosened and the rearsets rotate back and down with the next three of the four attachment holes appearing on the mounting arm. I have mine set on the furthest forward hole, bringing the peg down and back. The photos also show how the shifter and brake can be adjusted by an Allen head that allows the peg for the shifter/brake to rotate on an eccentric. Very, very neat and allows for a one minute adjustment with a single tool.

And yes, DB1 in right side background. The bike second to the left in the background is the YB7. We were painting the Museum floor with a non-skid and most of the bikes were back in the service area while the floor dried. Dave

[corks67]

db5r looks much nicer than the original which i always looks square and angular compared to the db7.

very nice looking bike

[Bimota fan]

Congrats on the addition Dave. I had to re-read your first sentence, on first pass I thought you were talking about your bankruptcy. I really like the DB5R, that is the bike I intended to buy before the Tesi deal came up. If anyone is interested, Pat Clark Motorsports has a brand new DB5R that they quoted me $20k OTD.
Steve

[dnovo]

Thanks.

If the bike at Pat Clark is the one I am thinking of, I am not sure it is 'new' (could be the demo they were trying to sell) and it is a 2006, which is a DS 1000 motor rather than a DS 1100 engine.

Here is the spec sheet on the bike I just pulled off their site.
Bimota
Model Year 2006
Model DB5R
Price $23,495.00*
Color Red / White
Displacement 992 cc
Stock Number: BI6001

I believe they updated the suspension etc on the later DB5Rs as well. May not make that much difference to some, but I would think about it as there are other 1100cc versions with the other upgrades out there. 20K is a good deal, but YMMV as to which version you want. Dave