Bimota Forum

[2bims]

Dig deep chaps and lets see what we can muster between us.........

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/09/01/latest-motorcycle-news-from-bimota-motorcycles-seeking-new-investors/#.VebVJf2FZQc.facebook

Economic crisis or not, Italy shuts down in August and goes on holiday. It’s crazy. Which is why it gave me great pleasure to find Bimota’s new General Manager, Pier Luigi Marconi, at his desk, and willing to talk about the company and its plans to stay afloat.
Indeed, Bimota was about to sell some stock to potential new partners to obtain some capital for some new projects. Negotiations were well underway, but all potential investors turned out to be pretenders looking to grab a bite for a very cheap price. Bimota pulled out of all negotiations just as Marconi was contacted to see if his previous experience at the Italian company might help it to prosper again.
Marconi’s diagnosis was simple: Bimota was not selling enough of its bikes in relation to the basic costs of keeping the factory open. He then engaged himself in a tour around the world to contact old importers and dealers to renew their enthusiasm and passion for the exclusive bikes made in Rimini. In the meantime, he also drastically cut needless expenditures. The response was positive. Some of the bikes in the inventory have sold, and new orders are coming in.
Bimota still needs fresh money, but a focused plan is taking shape.
“We are focusing on the line of the Ducati 1198-powered models because they are still highly regarded by our dealers and we only need to further improve them in minor details,” said Marconi. “Öhlins suspensions might be a major step in this direction, but I am also pondering the adoption of electronically managed suspension units. The present 160-horse Ducati 1198 unit still is an excellent engine. In combination with our rolling gear and light weight, it delivers great performance and emotions. We are also working on a completely revised Tesi model that will fully prove the potential of the concept while also reviving a symbol of Bimota exclusivity. About the power units, I look forward to meeting the Ducati top management in order to probe the possible access to their mighty Panigale 1299 twin, that would put Bimota in the position of developing the ultimate superbike, believe me.”
Is there a future for the BB3 project? Replied Marconi: “The BB3 was a most unfortunate case of improper management. But the bike is good and I would like to keep it alive. But, as I said, Bimota needs fresh money to proceed in the right direction and consolidate its creative potential.”
Having known Marconi since the 1980s, back when he was Chief Project Engineer of Bimota, I must say that he is a man of his word.

[vort28]

Hmmm , well it had to be official at some point !!!!
Hopefully the right people can be found. Deep pockets and a long term view are required.

[Jonny B Bad]

Bimota has given me a great deal of pleasure over the last 25 years and I very much hope that they can find a way of continuing. However, when you get right down to it, I wonder if you can ever reconcile the costs of developing leading edge products with the revenues associated with limited production. That square has been circled in the past by a combination of premium prices and cutting corners, which is never going to be a recipe for longevity. Whilst the membership of this forum attests to the love of the marque, I wonder how many members bought their bikes new, i.e. the basis of a successful company. I fear that much of the appeal to us is the notion of the impossible dream.

Come on Mr Marconi, prove me wrong.
_________________
What, Jonny's gone!

[vort28]

Hopefully it can be turned around. Norton seem to be giving it a good go.
Needs someone to invest LOTS of money over a few years and wait for the profits later.
One thing they need to do though is develope their own engine , like Norton/MV etc.

Bought new , Hmmm , yes SB6 , but not for RRP.

[brian]

[2bims]

I think we all "echo" most of those thoughts....and again for myself...whilst not buying new and always 2nd hand or "nearly new" its been a combination of either no dealers, no ability for test rides, favourable exchange rates to the euro and falling market due to economic depression in Italy that has led me to the route I've chosen.......With Bimota going from peaks to troughs its meant a lot of stock has always been sold off cheap, even new stock....this has happened recently in Oz with a dealer going under and stock going to auction...and in Germany........Bimota has to stop messing dealers about changing distributors from time to time....buck up its customer relations to a point where they at least pretend to give a damn about existing customers...and stop selling cheap and via the back door...lessen your prices and you cheapen the brand......Not once have I ever had a reply to any of my requests to the factory nor its "customer relations"...and even with the new bikes folk struggle to get the software for the ECU or even the connecting cable to simply plug it in......the once dealer in the UK couldn't get the stuff...and for the DB10 was told that "we havent written the software yet for that ecu...".......Return customers is whats needed...and theres plenty of folk that collect them, but choose to buy 2nd hand so that leaves them a residual comfort zone in fixing what may wrong....warranties havent been worth a damn...I know of 2 UK dealers that tried fixing new bikes that they sold...but neither was paid by the factory for doing so...its only the dealers that did so to retain their own reputation....neither is a dealer now and neither will be in the future....their own words...as each was approached to try again...once bitten..twice shy.........Class, engineering, style, innovation, uniqueness are all fine...but no dealer back up, no spares, no communication, no solidity means no customers.......Why no supply anymore to the US??? Can any company afford to think they can exclude such a country and survive?

As for cash injection and a turnaround...well thats outwith my ability, but I think we'll all like to see the likes of VW/Audi/Ducati pitch in....but then they already have 40-50K bikes for sale, specials etc...which IMHO arent a jot on Bimota, but hey ho....Audi did a pretty good job of saving Lambourghini...leaving the italians to do the style and aggression, whilst being Germanic with the workload, engineering and marketting......So who else? the scooter brigade that saved Aprillia et others? MV Agusta??...someone from China or India??? An indian company that makes the Royal Enfield recently bought UK company Harris Engineering for example.........so nothing seems to be too leftfield.......

[djt77]

I really hope they are able to source some finances and stay in business. Would be a massive blow to a lot of us on here if they were to stop, anyone who has ridden some of the newer bikes will know how well they ride.

[Mike Jennings]

Back in the day, Bimota used to be streets ahead chassis and styling wise to the Japanese competition but now that the UJM is so good, it's difficult to justify the extra money for a new Bimota. The engineering seems a bit 'designer' these days for my taste.

The older Bimotas were inspired by endurance racing technology and were pretty radical so maybe that's where Bimota should look when developing new bikes. Anyway, let's hope that someone big buys them and uses the name to develop something that's cutting edge as well as pretty (He said, pulling at his pipe and staring gloomily into a pint of Pendlebury's Old Nadger).

Cheers, MikeJ

[2bims]

[glened]

Saddened to hear that Bimota is again facing the financial precipice, having bought a bike from new (DB10) and the issues I have had in getting the ECU problems resolved. I have had lots of help from the original UK dealer who had their fingers burned by Bimota and by Texa UK. Both companies really pulled out the stops trying to resolve problems that should have been the remit of Bimota. Bimota did nothing or was unable to do anything. Resulting in me having to resolve the issues on my own, I would never advice anyone to purchase a new Bimota based upon my experience. Having said that I love the bike and the way it rides and the way it makes me feel when I ride it. FUN, FUN, FUN.
So I am saddened by recent events but not surprised. I will probaly by another Bimota a Tesi or a Vdue one will have to second hand the other may have to be new??? but not from a dealer.....

[Evilchicken0]

[2bims]

A true statement...and also "if" they'd ever have made enough BB3's to have complied in time...and "if" they'd paid BMW in full or Alstare for that fact...and "if" BMW hadnt changed their 1000RR engine in that it doesnt fit the BB3's anymore.....usual story...a life full of "ifs" and "buts"....Amore Moto flying the flag for Bimota with road racing may be the best and only road for them at the moment...with modern and vintage....

[2bims]

Seems like more of the same...although this article is 6 weeks old...but once rumours appear....surely you'd want to discount them and give actual news????

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/08/17/bimota-motorcycles-in-trouble-rumor-for-sale-to-italian-enthusiasts/

Oh...and same also as above but with a further update from one of the owners, read and imply into this what you like.........

http://www.throttlequest.com/2015/08/about-two-years-ago-italo-swiss-real.html