There’s an extremely rare Bimota DB1SR in the Goodwood shop

Bimota is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer, founded in 1973. It began as a chassis builder, modifying and developing Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda bikes, before moving on to work with Yamaha and Ducati.

It was this collaboration with Yamaha which led to Bimota’s initial entry into motorsport. The manufacturer achieved its first success in 1980, when privateer Jon Ekerold rode a Yamaha-powered Bimota to the 350cc world championship.

By 1985, Bimota had developed a strong relationship with Ducati. The company was suffering financially, but the DB1, which stands for ‘Ducati Bimota One’ helped to save the Italians from bankruptcy.

So named as it was the first Bimota motorcycle to be powered by a Ducati engine, the DB1 was powered by a 750cc 90-degree V-twin engine. It’s fitted into a steel tube frame ‘Birdcage’ chassis which is encased in lightweight aluminium bodywork.

After two years of development, the DB1SR was born. A high-performance variant of the original DB1 with uprated four-piston front callipers, 41mm carburettors, and an upgraded exhaust. It won the 1987 Italian Sport Production Twins Championship at a canter in the hands of Tiziano Bombardi, winning eight of the nine races, with one second place.

You can get a closer look at this motorcycle in the Goodwood Shop where it’s on display for a short time. It’s a rare thing with a very distinct, angular design that makes you realise how little priority was given to comfort. You might also notice the 'DB1RS' wording which is often causes the bike to be misidentified.

It’ll be available to view at this weekend’s Super Sunday Breakfast Club, which we’re very much looking forward to covering here on GRR.