UPDATE 10/11/2020: Bimota has signalled via social media that its all-new KB4 sportsbike will launch in Europe from April, 2021, in limited numbers.
Overseas reports suggest that just 20 units will be allocated for the UK, though production details for other markets, including Australia, have yet to be confirmed.
18/06/2020: Italian bikemaker Bimota is set to reveal its second model since Kawasaki purchased a 49.9 per cent stake in the company last year.
The retro-inspired KB4 is expected to debut by year’s end, using a 1043cc four-cylinder engine borrowed from the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX delivering around 104kW (104hp).
As the Ninja 1000SX features the brand’s latest ride-by-wire technology, INFO MOTO expects that the KB4 will also include things like cruise control and rider modes, and may also include the quick shifter and 4.3-inch TFT dash.
As well as a short video published last year showing renderings of the all-new model, Bimota released a blurry image of the bike that all but reveals some of the aforementioned features.
Styling will be reminscent of Bimota’s KB1 from the late 70s, and so a curved fairing and single round headlight is likely.
Bimota recently told English publication MCN that the KB4 could use electronically adjustable Ohlins suspension, as long as production isn’t too harshly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“If we don’t get too much delay with the suppliers due to the Coronavirus, we will set-up the Ohlins suspension with the electronic control,” a spokesperson told MCN.
“We got affected by the coronavirus only because of the lockdown, we had to stop for one month as well as all our suppliers.”
The partnership between Kawasaki and Bimota first resulted in the Tesi H2, a hub-centre steering weapon powered by the same engine found in the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2.
It was initially expected to launch mid-year, however, the coronavirus pushed its debut back towards the end of 2020.
Bimota is a small Italian manufacturer, founded in 1973 in Rimini, Italy by Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri, and Massimo Tamburini. The company name is derived from the first two letters of each of the three founders’ surnames.
INFO MOTO will provide updates on the Bimota KB4 as soon as new information comes to light.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
