The objective in the development
of Bimota's newest Superbike was to create a motorcycle that is
light and powerful with superior road manners, while remaining
distinctly Bimota in style and attitude. Furthermore, the new
Bimota was to be as capable on the track as it is on the street.With so many Superbike manufacturers, there are also many advanced and extremely capable motorcycles. So for Bimota, simply being fast and race inspired is not enough, a Bimota must offer something more, much more.
The DB7 looks like no other Superbike, never to be mistaken for another brand. With the team colours of red, white and black applied to the carbon fiber body shaped by the pen and hands of designer Enrico Borghesan, the Bimota family DNA is clear to see. This Superbike dares true motorcyclists to get close and indulge in its details. The beauty and drama of the DB7 at a distance is surpassed only by its detail. Each and every assembly, fastener and chassis component is elegantly fashioned and manufactured with care using advanced materials. From billet machined sub-frames, footrests and control levers to the structural carbon fiber tail section and titanium silencer, no compromise was ever considered nor made. The details are simply spectacular.
Light, powerful and only the best
Whether used for road or track, a sport bike's lightweight represents a big advantage and the DB7 leads the way. The rear section of the bike is crafted from structural carbon fiber, eliminating the need for a sub-frame. The weight-saving advantage of carbon fiber is also exploited for all fairing sections, fenders, chain guards and instrument supports. Further savings come from the titanium silencer, new ultra-light Bimota wheels plus machined aluminium frame plates, controls and chain adjusters. The DB7's road manners are inspiring and confident thanks to the choice of superior materials, suspension, brakes, frame, wheels and controls. Utilizing the best components from development partners such as Brembo, Marzocchi and ExtremeTech, combined with Bimota's own ultra-light wheels and frame, thrilling and track-proven performance is ensured.
Bimota chose to power the DB7 with the spectacular World Superbike dominating Ducati Testastretta Evoluzione engine. Ducati, a partner of Bimota from the beginning, has developed the Testastretta into the world's most powerful production twincylinder, while retaining all the advantages of the L-Twin configuration. It's a perfect match to the Bimota formula and guarantees excitement with every twist of the throttle.
Handcrafted sport motorcycles are the only thing that Bimota creates, and they are its singular motivation. The DB7 is the manifestation of the pride, dreams and talent of Bimota.
DB7 Power
The 1098 Testastretta engine
The Testastretta Evoluzione engine is the pinnacle of Ducati's development and perfection of the L-Twin engine. World Superbike dominance for the last 15 years is the result of their continual commitment to twin-cylinder technology and the 1098 Testastretta Evoluzione, the most powerful twin-cylinder production engine in history, is a fitting reward to the continued ingenuity of their engineers.
Highly 'over-square', the 1098 sports a massive 104mm bore and a short 64.7mm stroke. To optimise the benefits of the new big twin, the completely redesigned cylinder-heads are combined with advanced MotoGP induction technology to produce an incredible 160hp of pure excitement.
The 1098 cylinder-heads feature a reduced angle between intake and exhaust valves, allowing highly efficient, straight intake ducts to feed newly shaped combustion
chambers through large valves (42mm inlet, 34mm exhaust), operated by radical camshafts.
The potential of the new cylinder-heads has been optimised by feeding them with MotoGP developed elliptical throttle bodies. With a 30% increase in air flow over conventional throttle bodies, the new elliptical shape contributes significantly to the power of the DB7.
Impressively, the 1098 is one of the lightest Ducati Superbike engines ever, thanks to the close scrutiny of every component including transmission gears and gear selector drum as well as the oil pump and primary gears.
The DB7 1098 benefits from additional Bimota enhancements including a new fuel injection system has been developed for the DB7 employing Magneti Marelli 12 hole micro fine spray injectors, controlled by an advanced Walbro ECU (engine control unit). The Walbro system is highly flexible in its tuning capacity, a great advantage during development and for racing applications, plus it enjoys the simplicity of diagnostics using a standard windows based PC.
Finally, the 1098 is complemented by a Bimota designed exhaust system. Exhaust header pipes are formed of 52mm stainless steel and route to a catalytic converter mounted under the engine. The exhaust then exits to an efficient right side mounted titanium silencer. Of course, the DB7 responsibly complies with the strict Euro3 emission
standards.
DB7 Chassis
Hybrid-trellis frame
The DB7 frame is the most advanced evolution of the Bimota hybrid-trellis design. The composite structure employs mitred and welded thin wall CrMo4 (Chrome Moly) tubing and machined 6082 AC 100 Aluminium Alloy. The classic round tubes of the original trellis design have been replaced for the DB7 with oval section tubes, in a 50mm x 30mm dimension with 1.5mm wall thickness. The trellis section joins the new larger more robust alloy plates, and these work in harmony with the engine as a 'stressed member' of the frame group. The result is a substantial 2.3kg reduction in weight, yet with torsionally increased rigidity. What you feel as a rider is confident and consistent road holding and stability.
