Stock SB6R's deliver 156HP at the crankshaft and 145HP at the rear wheel, but only weigh 449 pounds dry. My particular SB6 has been significantly updated to produce 184HP at the rear wheel. Although small bikes (though not as small as the SB6 or many other sport bikes), Bimota did a good job of...
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Stock SB6R's deliver 156HP at the crankshaft and 145HP at the rear wheel, but only weigh 449 pounds dry. My particular SB6 has been significantly updated to produce 184HP at the rear wheel. Although small bikes (though not as small as the SB6 or many other sport bikes), Bimota did a good job of design. They are beautiful, well crafted, and the most comfortable thoroughbred sport/racer I have owned. Quality of the fit and finish is what can be expected from a premium hand-made Italian motorcycle, and well in excess of production bikes from other manufacturers like Ducati, Triumph, Honda, Buell, Suzuki, etc. Particularly telling is the quality of the core components. While a Ducati might sit in the dealership with bent sheet-metal linkages and popped-out push-in jets, the Bimota keeps turning out well-machined laps. To be fair to the SB6R, it is more than an expensive Italian bike or simply an improved SB6, it is really a new bike altogether with many improvements from the original SB6, and numerous components taken from the best manufacturers in the world. Perhaps one of the best features overall, is the fact that Bimota uses the bullet-proof GSXR-1100 engine, and major performance components like Brembo brakes, Paioli Forks (although I favor Ohlins), Brembo master cylinder, etc. Any quality performance shop is able to provide service, and any Suzuki dealership can service the engine in the very unlikely event that a performance shop is not well acquainted with GSXR motors. The gearbox is solid and locks heavily into gear with a hard "clunk", but acceleration is smooth with ample power in low and mid-range RPM's. Roll into the throttle though, and the power comes on hard as you move into higher RPM's. This is a forgiving machine, but it isn't for amateurs. Red line is 11500. At 100MPH, the tachometer is still in the 5000 RPM range. 200MPH? Yes, and then some. The bodywork is exquisite, beautiful in form, and entirely made of carbon fiber. In fact, because of the structural strength of the carbon fiber tail, no rear frame is required; it is its own load-bearing structure. Problems/squawks: After updating the bike, a connector for the taillight was left loose. This was easily traced down and simply corrected in about 30 minutes with the use of a screwdriver and metric Allen wrench. The earlier SB6 had some issues with stress-cracks in the tail from bearing the weight of the rider in hard use (easily corrected by reinforcing the bolt holes with washers). The SB6R tail has been strengthened significantly at the mounting points, so this no longer seems to be an issue. Like any race-tuned machine, the SB6R is not designed to sit and idle, as this will tend to cause fouling. Either shut the engine down, or tweak the throttle periodically to "clear its throat". The steering damper is effective, but I have a preference for Ohlins dampers. The stock SB6R is delivered with a 190-50R17-rear tire and 120-70R17 front. In my opinion, 190's are too wide for the 5.5" Antera rim (Antera also makes the wheels for Ferrari). I feel that the 190's were specified for marketing reasons, as 190-200's are more "stylish". Bimota tried to use a 6" rim to support the wider tire, but found that handling was adversely impacted. Most serious racers don't run anything wider than 180's. The stock tires are Z-rated Michelin High-Sports. After the front began to "cup", I swapped them for Michelin Pilot H2's (120-70R17 front and 180-55R17 rear). The side stand is a bit short; adding maybe another 1/4"-1/2" might be beneficial. don't break anything on the bike. Parts are still available, but very expensive. If you are not a responsible motorcycle owner, look elsewhere...buy a Buell, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, or Kawasaki. Get a cheap crotch-rocket that you can abuse and then throw away. Overall: A great bike, superior to any other production sport/racer. Collectible, now is the time to buy a used or new-old-stock Bimota. Bimota declared bankruptcy in 2000 and stopped production, but the marquee is being revived and production appears to be restarting. In 2000-2003, remaining stocks of Bimotas were being dumped for ridiculously low prices. Now, Bimotas are back and winning races. The prices of used and NOS "Bimmers" is on the rise.
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