Description
Please Note: This Bimota sold before it was scheduled to go up on auction. We’ve added it to the site to help you value the Iconic goodness that we sell!
The Bimota SB8K Santamonica was already an incredible machine in its own right – in his First Ride review for Motorcyclist, Brian Catterson said “what I would have written back in 2000, had there been a point, was that the SB8K was the best twin-cylinder sportbike I’d ever ridden; more than a match for the reigning Ducati 996 and miles better than the rotary-shocked Suzuki TL1000R from which its engine was derived.” But there will always be people who want more – and this time around it was Red Baron (also known as Redbro Racing), Bimota’s Japanese importer. They created an upgraded version of the SB8K that they called the Ultimo.
Thanks to the Wayback Machine, we can show you the Redbro site from years ago in which they described the Ultimo – though you’ll want to translate it from Japanese! It shows that the original price was roughly $55,000 USD in 2000 and provides a long list of “custom points” (upgrades):
Forged high compression (12:1) pistons, high lift camshaft, modified ECU, and red paint on the cylinder head.
Custom titanium silencers.
Titanium-coated windscreen, LED turn signals built into the mirrors, HID headlights.
Alcantara seat.
STACK digital display, aluminum top triple, Brembo radial master cylinder.
Marchesini forged magnesium wheels, Ohlins fully adjustable 43mm front forks, Brembo monobloc caliper with racing rotors, red stainless steel braided brake and clutch lines.
The page also specifies that production was limited to 10 units, “only 9 units of which can actually be delivered.” This example (VIN: ZESSB8K00YR000063) is #6 out of 10, which is noted with a cloisonné plate.
The odometer shows 37 kilometers (23 miles).
The previous owner acquired this Ultimo in late 2020 “from the Japanese distributor of Bimota in Japan. The bike was unsold new, old stock from 2000..” He noted that “the odometer is showing 36 km but according to the STACK instructions, they state that the km will virtually never be zero. It is worth noting that kms will be added during factory testing of the dash without the vehicle actually doing any kms.” He estimates that the bike has a total of 5 km on it. He bought three Ultimos “along with quite a few other bikes from the Japanese dealer. Buying one of them was not an option. It was all or nothing.” He kept the first Ultimo in his personal collection of zero mile bikes, the second as his Sunday ride, and he sold this as it “really needs to go to a new home where it can be appreciated by others.”
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection and flush the hydraulic fluids/engine oil. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Good, but hard to see inside
Engine Oil Level: Good
Engine Oil Quality: new oil and filter
Coolant Level: Good
Coolant Quality: Good
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Good
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New Motul
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Good
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New Motul
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: Good
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New Motul
Final Drive Condition: Original chain, slight surface rust, new cush drive rubbers supplied
Headlight High Beam: Yes
Headlight Low Beam: Yes
Passing Light: Yes
Parking Light: Not working
Turn Signals: Yes
Tail Light: Yes
Brake Light(Front Switch): Not working
Brake Light(Rear Switch): Not working
Plate Light: Yes
Horn: Yes
Kill Switch: Yes
Brake Pad% Remaining Front: 100% original
Brake Pad% Remaining Rear: 100% original
Forks: Ohlins, good condition, clickers work
Shock/s: Ohlins, good condition, clickers work
Tire Date Code Front: 25/9
Tire Date Code Rear: 31//9
Tire% Remaining Front: 100% but old tyre
Tire% Remaining Rear: 100% but old tyre
Tire Press. Front: 36
Tire Press. Rear: 34
Battery Standing Voltage: no battery
Charging Voltage @4k RPM: Voltage regulator fault (new one on order)
Running Condition: Starts and runs
Test Ride Completed:
Test Ride Distance:
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on the original Michelin Pilot Sport tires with date codes of 319 and 259.
The sale includes the original instruction manual and two keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at Iconic New Zealand in Christchurch, New Zealand, this Bimota is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Iconic can help with importation for any US buyers, however please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title.
Have any Redbro stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
