1999 Bimota DB4

The DB1 brought Bimota into profitability when it was released in 1985. Designed by Frederico Martini, it was the company’s first Ducati powered machine, making use of the Pantah’s 750cc mil. For its successor — the DB2 — Pierluigi Marconi helmed the design and paired a 900SS powerplant with a hand made chrome-molybdenum trellis frame that extended the tubular design to the swingarm.

It came with 41mm Paioli forks and a rear Ohlins shock, both fully adjustable. The air-cooled V-Twin yielded 86 horsepower (a slight upgrade from the 900SS thanks to a different intake and exhaust system). Weighing just 370 pounds dry, nearly every press reviewed ended with a comment that it was the best Bimota yet.

With the DB4, Bimota both improved on its successes and also returned the bike to its roots. So, even though it shared an oval-section tubular frame similar to that found on the DB3 Mantra, it did away with the unconventional styling and raised bars in favor of some swept-back bodywork and clip-ons conventional of a sportbike. Of course, it was also offered in a sharp tricolore livery like the one being offered today.

As Cycle World found in its period review, “most riders would be hardpressed to find fault with the DB4. It’s a fitting tribute to the original that is destined to become equally collectible. Just the ticket for forgetting all about the Vdue.”

This example is VIN: ZESDB4003XR000020. The seller states: “During my ownership the bike has been stored in my a climate controlled warehouse”.