Test Ride Launch Bimota TESI H2
Let me bring you up to speed. Kawasaki now owns 49.9% of Bimota, which is excellent news for the small Italian firm. Since its creation in the 1970s, Bimota has historically bought engines from Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki or Ducati, and then produced a bespoke chassis to wrap around those power units. However, developing its fuelling and exhaust systems, and then getting the new bike to meet increasingly tough emissions regulations was extremely challenging and costly.
But now, thanks to Kawasaki, Bimota has a vast amount of engine technology to borrow from its Japanese partner. And this, the TESI H2, is the first bike to come out of this unique and fascinating association.
Essentially, Bimota has taken one of the world’s most powerful engines, the supercharged H2, plus its fuelling and exhaust, instruments, switchgear, lights and electronic rider aids, and then added its own chassis and design. Without any fuelling or electronic development costs or Euro4 compliancy to worry about, the effort has been centred on what Bimota does best: chassis and design.
The new billet aluminium rear swingarm and carbon/aluminium front arms bolt directly to the supercharged Kawasaki motor. Two Öhlins shocks control the front and rear wheel independently. The conventional trellis Kawasaki frame has been removed.
But it’s not just about the frame and suspension either. The aerodynamic bodywork, with wings that create high-speed downforce (11kg), are all carbon fibre. Oh, and this 228bhp motorcycle tops the scales at 207kg dry.
We flew out to Italy to test the TESI
