BIMOTA DB5 (2005 - on) Review

The latest Bimota DB5 shows a change of philosophy. No longer are their motorcycles uncompromising track motorcycles with hand built chassis enabling them to outperform the Japanese engine donor motorcycles. No, the Japanese are too good so the Bimota DB5 is simply a beautifully crafted bike for rapid road riding and top level posing.

Bimota have never skimped here. They design a superb frame and then get the finest suspension available and bolt it on to the motorcycle. The Bimota DB5 is exceptionally light - Bimota claims 156kg. As it's designed as a track motorcycle it' very stable. Track heads and Gixxer nutters may want faster steering but the suspension's so adjustable they should be able to achieve it. Even in standard trim the Bimota DB5 stops and corners with panache and precision.

Here’s the big surprise – most Bimota motorcycles of the past took engines from cutting edge sports bikes and tuned them further. The Bimota DB5 uses Ducati’s old-technology, two-valve per cylinder, air cooled 992cc V-twin. It’s never going to match 1000cc sports motorcycles for power but the Benelli DB5 produces excellent torque at low revs and has character the Japanese could never engineer into their motorcycles. Early Bimota DB5s showed FI glitches.

Like all Bimotas the DB5 is rare and motorcycles that are out there tend to be cosseted, low mile machines. Ducati’s reliability reputation’s not the best but their latest engines, including the 1000 dual spark unit in the Bimota DB5 are fine. Parts availability and specialist servicing for this motorcycle are extremely scarce as there’s no major official importer.

£17,500 new is a lot for a motorcycle. You can get a faster and more capable motorcycle on a track for about half that. While the spec sheet can’t justify the price, the build quality almost can – each part on the Bimota DB5 is crafted without compromise and the whole motorcycle looks like a million dollars. Find a Bimota DB5 for sale.

Considering the road-orientated engine in the Bimota DB5, the riding position’s pretty committed. All day comfort is not good on this motorcycle. The mirrors are useless and there’s no knobs and whistles on the Bimota DB5 – but what is there is executed with flair and engineering excellence. Plus there’s that Ohlins designer label suspension which makes a difference anyone can notice. Compare and buy parts for the Bimota DB5 in the MCN Shop.