Bimota Db5r Review

Bimota Db5r Review

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Mick82 Joined: 11 Feb 2016 Posts: 3 Location: Italy	Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 7:33 pm   Post subject: BIMOTA DB4 or DB5 ? Hi everyone, I'm new here, my name is Michele and i write from italy:) Actually I have a Ducati ss 750 ie, but I am a Bimota fan! I have the possibility to sell my Ducati and finally buy a Bimota! My favourite bikes are the DB4, both tricolore and ie version , but the first is rare and not cheap (just find one near my town, but is not totally oem, and it's not on the road since 2010... maybe too much work to do..for € 7500 ) I have found also another DB4 ie red/grey, in good condition and good price, and also a DB5 RE, double seats model, with low Km, almost the same price of DB4...around 5.000€ But I know that this bike was used for Supertwins races here in Italy...and this could be one of this, I'm not sure If you have any advice that could help me, please let me know
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2bims Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7225	Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 8:36 pm   Post subject: Hi Michele....and welcome to the Forum........Used to have a Ducati 750ssie myself....a nice enough bike although a little underpowered once you got used to it...and non adjustable suspension....but still a nice bike. DB4 tricolor....DB4ie...or DB5...... The tricolor models are carb models and easier t tune and get running right....and I would say are better than the twin seat ie models as Bimota used their own fuel injection systems...which can be problematic I have a Db4 tricolor and a DB5R.....easily the better bike is the DB5....just as light but with 10-15% more power....better brakes and better suspension...The Db4's usually have Pailoi or Ohlins rear shocks...and the DB5 has Marzocchi front forks and ExtremeTec rear shocks...if it was an R version it would have Ohlins front and rear which are much better....if it was used in a Supertwins cup race series I would imagine that the suspension was changed to Ohlins front and rear?....for which different yokes are used on the headstock....... The Db4's are a nice bike and would feel lighter and more powerful than a 750SSie....I wouldnt bother with a Db4ie unless you can test it to see if it fuels correctly.....My choice would be a Db5 though...seat height is lower if this is a concern...and the footpegs can be lowered also as they have 3 levels on them.......Both bikes are comfortable over long or short distances....Db5's have either early pegaso ECU's or later Walbro ECU's....early models had bad fuelling at 4-5thou revs.... If you had details on any of the bikes youre interested in I could look at the details and give a consideration? if you want to keep them secret.....I have a few Bimotas and all except one I have bought from Italy direct or the NEtherlands... Last edited by 2bims on Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:10 pm; edited 1 time in total
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vort28 Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 2194 Location: Northwest , UK	Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:51 pm   Post subject: Hi Michele and welcome to the family. I also have both a DB4 and a DB5R . I have also had a DB5S twin seat. The DB5 is a better bike , more power , easier to ride, better build quality and finish. The 5S with the marzocchi forks and extreme tech rear shock is built to a budget. The forks are over damped and the rear shock very poor. An early mille is a better buy with ohlin forks and shock, but can have injection issues. The 5R has the later ECU set up of the 5S and the ohlins suspension and carbon parts.The DB5R chassis is far superior to the engines ability and can therefore seem a bit boring and remote to ride. I have no experience of the DB4IE so can not really comment on this bike. My DB4 tricolor has the sport kit fitted ( flat side carbs/k&N filters and free flowing exhaust). It is less powerful than a DB5 and a bit more old fashioned to ride. BUT it is far more fun and involving to ride than any DB5 I have ridden. I have also ridden a standard DB4 which is not as entertaining without the sports kit. If I had to sell either my DB5R or my DB4 I would know instantly with one would be going. The DB5. Bikes are a personal thing and a lot depends on your requirements and usage. Do you need 2 seats , if so this narrows your selection. If 2 seats are required a DB5S would be the best bike.
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2bims Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7225	Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 10:54 pm   Post subject: Cor Blimey Vort......dishing 2 of my bikes...and on the same day....did you forget to take your medication this morning? Or is it me thats over-prescribed...... Evidently both you and me are either blessed or spoilt with our current choices.....for the poor fellow with the current choice you couldnt really lose on either of your choices compared to a Ducati 750ssie..... What I would like though Vort is for you to recommission your DB4 and give it a go again....been a year or so whilst its turned a wheel....during which time you've had the pleasure of a DB5R, Vdue and DB7 to twist the grips of....maybe your views of your DB4 are now with nostalgic rose tinted spectacles?? Other than the sound of the corse can and flatslides...maybe the handling, suspension and brakes would now seem to be lacking somewhat in comparison to your rides of late??
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Mick82 Joined: 11 Feb 2016 Posts: 3 Location: Italy	Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 2:49 am   Post subject: Thanks to everyone for the welcome and for the fast answer Your bikes are simply fantastic! I have find out also a good 2 YB9SRI , one with an Arrow exhaust directly from the Brignola's bike of Supersport World Championship...and other 2 SB6R not so far from here, that seems in very good OEM conditions... but the DB4 tricolor is already in my heart... I'll let you know if I will have the opportunities to test one of these bikes... I will be in Reggio Emilia to visit the fair, that together with Novegro and Imola, is the biggest in Italy for vintage and classics bikes and spare parts. the date is April 2-3. If someone comes to visit the fair, let me know
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vort28 Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 2194 Location: Northwest , UK	Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 7:58 am   Post subject: 2bims wrote: Cor Blimey Vort......dishing 2 of my bikes...and on the same day....did you forget to take your medication this morning? Or is it me thats over-prescribed...... Simply explaining that what is good for one is not always good for all.
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tenchu2x Joined: 09 Sep 2015 Posts: 107	Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:58 pm   Post subject: wow these prices are super cheap! 5k EURO for a DB5???
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polyesterpig Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 76 Location: California USA	Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 7:25 am   Post subject: I had the choice of all three too. I ended up choosing the DB4ie. The choice was simple. I didn't want to mess with carbs & I didn't want to mess with a Bimota proprietary fuel injection system. The Bimota DB4ie actually uses the Ducati fuel injection system, not the Bimota. The 1.5m 08 Ecu to be exact. The DB4ie is the ONLY Bimota which used a factory oem fuel injection system. The beauty of this is any Ducati dealer can work on the injection system if need be. Since I had my bike ported, opened the air box & added a Giannelli exhaust, the fueling needed to be modified, I just swapped out the Ecu with a Ducati Performance Ecu and it runs great. The dyno runs show a very clean air/fuel ratio! No need for a power commander. All three bikes are a great choice. It is just personal preference. Hope this helps. _________________ 2002 Cannondale E440 2003 Cannondale Super Mono 440 (3) 2003 Cannondale E440R 2010 Ducati Hypermotard evo SP 2000 Bimota DB4ie BiPosto
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Bimota Db5r Review

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