Bimota To Switch To Moto Morini Engines?

[Bimota fan]

Interesting idea .....
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/21apr...gineSwitch.htm

Steve

[dnovo]

Looks neat. I wouldn't hold by breath, but also note the far less extreme riding position, with the bars up at a more realistic (for street riding) level. Nah, too common sense for our boys

Dave

[Catimann]

I think it is very possible because the Italians like to keep it in house. It would be a win win for both as lots of people would buy one just to have the newest model. MB1 would be a must buy for many and the Morini engine is most likely a bargin right now.

[scootermcfly]

I don't think the rationale for switching from Ducati would be because Ducatis w/ the same engines are cheaper than Bimotas. EVERY Bimota ever made has been more expensive than its same-motored counterpart be Japanese, Italian, or German (we'll call the HDBs Italian and the BB1 German for the sake of argument). If you're buying a Bimota simply for bang-for-the-buck stats then you probably have more dollars than sense. There is a greater allure in owning a Bimota than most other bikes from other manufacurers. Too me Bimota represents what those engine manufacurers could have made had they tried hard enough. I've always thought that the japanese build bikes for your wallet, the Germans build bikes for your mind, and the Italians build bikes for the HEART. Bimota has always represented to me that you can sometimes have your cake and eat it too.
I'd love to see Bimota use a Moto Morini engine in a new lineup. I own a 77 3 and 1/2 Strada and love it. I was very pleased to MotoMorini back in the game, but, it would not be a very financially smart move for Bimota to do so. If they have learned anything from their troubled past it would be stick w/ what works. Moto Morin was almost doomed from the start not having a sufficient dealer or service base to play with. While Bimota dealer are scarce enough there is comfort for buyers in knowing that just about any Ducati dealer can/should be able to work on any current line of Bimotas. I found servicing to be a problem w/ even Suzuki dealers on my SB6R I think mostly because of lack of knowledge of the manufacurer. Bimota has done a lot of work over the last five years trying to improve on brand recogniton and I think it's paying off. Switching to the engines of a little know manufacurer and abandoning the high marketability that goes w/ using engines from a company as high profile as Ducati would be cutting your own wrists. I don't see it happening. I would love to see them offer kit bikes again that aspiring entrepreneurs could drop their own motor of choice in but alas I don't see that happening either.
Oh well, probably more than needed to be said on the subject.

[dnovo]

Correct. Service, and especially parts, are a major concern for any owner. If I need a part for a Ducati engined Bimota, they are readily available, even older models. My Japanese powered Bimota can be just as easily sourced. (On the other hand, good luck trying to get parts for the TTD injected bikes or for their cantankerous and unreliable dash/controllers. Most of those, once they pack up, are worthless as anything other than display items.)

Where the hell are you going to go to get parts for you Morini powered Bimota? I have been told by friends on the other side of the Pond that parts have always been an issue. In the US? Forget it. Dave

[Macdesmo]

Perhaps Bimota could add the MM to the range rather than switch from Ducati. That would be good for all three companies.
Ian

[Catimann]

Well I sure do understand those arguments! I still would much rather see an MMB than a MGB Great bikes in their own right but not for Bimota.

[WYD OPN]

Adding an AB1 would be a nice alternative to the DB series. The 65-degree Aprilia V4 is compact, powerful, and distinctive.

[st2lemans]

Originally Posted by dnovo

I have been told by friends on the other side of the Pond that parts have always been an issue. In the US? Forget it. Dave

I have a dealer down the street, and the importer is three miles away.

No problem getting parts!

Tom

[bimotard]

I think that Bimota has to make motorcycles with japanese engines again.