Random Musings on an SB8R - Ducati.ms

dnovo · Jun 12th, 2010, 11:50 am

A few years ago, when they were still around and could be bought dirt cheap and brand new in the crate, I bought one from Bob Steinbugler with a few tasty goodies (the special edition gold rear sets, matching CRG levers, etc) and have had it ever since. Did an oil change etc and took it out this morning for a long, hard ride.

The last of the classic Bimota formula: Take a great Japanese engine (Suzuki TLR 1000R engine) that Suzuki had managed to put into an overweight and poor handling chassis and turn it into a world class Superbike (ala Gobret). Forgot how fast and how sweet the SR8R is, even when stacked up against the Superbikes 10 years down the line.

Things burn the brightest just before they burn out. A fitting coda to the original Bimota. Too bad it can't or isn't being done now, but times and technology march on.

Dave

JLSB8 · Jun 12th, 2010, 7:42 pm

[QUOTE=dnovo;864077]A few years ago, when they were still around and could be bought dirt cheap and brand new in the crate, I bought one from Bob Steinbugler with a few tasty goodies (the special edition gold rear sets, matching CRG levers, etc) and have had it ever since. Did an oil change etc and took it out this morning for a long, hard ride.

The last of the classic Bimota formula: Take a great Japanese engine (Suzuki TLR 1000R engine) that Suzuki had managed to put into an overweight and poor handling chassis and turn it into a world class Superbike (ala Gobret). Forgot how fast and how sweet the SR8R is, even when stacked up against the Superbikes 10 years down the line.

Things burn the brightest just before they burn out. A fitting coda to the original Bimota. Too bad it can't or isn't being done now, but times and technology march on.

I've been riding my DB7, SB8S and SB8K back to back for a while and have to say I still love the SB8's. The DB7 is neat but the SB8K is alot smoother at lower revs and has even more trick bits on it. The SB8S has incredible curb appeal with performance to back it up. Gotta love the fact the SB8's need virtually no engine maintenance compared to there Duc counterparts!Unfortunately my last time on the track with it was during the Bimota track day event for Cycle World to test the Corse DB4 and SB8. I bought it new in 99 and still have it.

daotoys1 · Jun 21st, 2010, 2:29 pm

I have 3 BIMOTA SB8RS ("Specials" #5, #6, and #10 of 150 made).

One of them is highly upgraded and in WSB trim, one is absolutely stock, and one is highly upgraded and modified into a "Nuda" semi-naked bike. I originally bought one and loved it so much I got a second one. I was seriously considering getting back into racing and so I started to set one up for this. Along the way I had an chance to buy a 3rd one from a collector at a great price so I bought it, and now I have 3 of them.

I think that this model (SB8R/SB8RS) was and still is one of BIMOTA's greatest bikes. Its 10 years old and it still has competitive performance. Its very light weight, has super suspension, and handles like a dream. Every time I think of selling them, I change my mind. I may eventually sell one ( or 2) but Ill for sure keep one until Im buried in the ground.

The most current BIMOTAs seem to be beautiful street bikes that can be used for the track. The SB8R/SB8RS bikes however are real race bikes that happen to be street legal The SB8 series was R&D in racing, including endurance road racing and of course developed for WSB racing. The Special SB8RS was the WSB homoligation bike for BIMOTAs return to WSB. BIMOTA wanted this to be a race bike for the street, and if you study the bike you can see that this is what BIMOTA did with this model.

Ive seen but never ridden the SB8K Santa Monica, but I love everything about the bike. I think if I was to sell/trade one of my SB8RS bikes Id do so to get a SB8K Santa Monica. It has the same great Suzuki TLR engine, the same great frame but has some changes from the SB8R/SB8RS to make it a sweeter ride for the street.

All i can say is if you find a BIMOTA SB8R/SB8RS for sale, and its a clean bike, buy it....you will not regret it, ever. Ive never had any troubles with mine. I do 99.9% of my riding in the paved canyon of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and these BIMOTAs excel in this environment.

Just my thoughts.......

Enjoy the ride

JLSB8 · Jun 24th, 2010, 8:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by daotoys1

I have 3 BIMOTA SB8RS ("Specials" #5, #6, and #10 of 150 made).

One of them is highly upgraded and in WSB trim, one is absolutely stock, and one is highly upgraded and modified into a "Nuda" semi-naked bike. I originally bought one and loved it so much I got a second one. I was seriously considering getting back into racing and so I started to set one up for this. Along the way I had an chance to buy a 3rd one from a collector at a great price so I bought it, and now I have 3 of them.

I think that this model (SB8R/SB8RS) was and still is one of BIMOTA's greatest bikes. Its 10 years old and it still has competitive performance. Its very light weight, has super suspension, and handles like a dream. Every time I think of selling them, I change my mind. I may eventually sell one ( or 2) but Ill for sure keep one until Im buried in the ground.

The most current BIMOTAs seem to be beautiful street bikes that can be used for the track. The SB8R/SB8RS bikes however are real race bikes that happen to be street legal The SB8 series was R&D in racing, including endurance road racing and of course developed for WSB racing. The Special SB8RS was the WSB homoligation bike for BIMOTAs return to WSB. BIMOTA wanted this to be a race bike for the street, and if you study the bike you can see that this is what BIMOTA did with this model.

Ive seen but never ridden the SB8K Santa Monica, but I love everything about the bike. I think if I was to sell/trade one of my SB8RS bikes Id do so to get a SB8K Santa Monica. It has the same great Suzuki TLR engine, the same great frame but has some changes from the SB8R/SB8RS to make it a sweeter ride for the street.

All i can say is if you find a BIMOTA SB8R/SB8RS for sale, and its a clean bike, buy it....you will not regret it, ever. Ive never had any troubles with mine. I do 99.9% of my riding in the paved canyon of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and these BIMOTAs excel in this environment.

Just my thoughts.......

Enjoy the ride

I know how you feel. I love the SB8 so much I'm gonna sell the DB7 instead!!

froryde · Jun 24th, 2010, 11:12 pm

Hopefully I will be able to get a SB8K Santa Monica some day!!

BTW - anyone know what's the difference between a Santa Monica and Gobert Rep?

JLSB8 · Jun 25th, 2010, 7:04 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by froryde

Hopefully I will be able to get a SB8K Santa Monica some day!!

BTW - anyone know what's the difference between a Santa Monica and Gobert Rep?

Big difference. Wheels,Forks,Brakes,Carbon count,Map,tank and a few other things. Gobert Rep is a great bike. The gobert rep is basically an SB8R with Santa Monica bodywork(similar), injection,guages,top tree and frame.