After taking his debut during the first WorldSBK Winter Test on the Circuit of Jerez and then officially presented at EICMA in Milan, Bimota has now announced that the KB998 Rimini will be available worldwide from 9 April.
The first series of 125 units was produced before the start of the 2025 season in accordance with the Regulations of the WorldSBK, with a second batch of another 125 engines for the end of this year and the remaining 250 for 2026 planned to meet the FIM homologation requirements for the WorldSBK. Nevertheless, it took until now before Bimota announced the sale of the KB998 Rimini to officially start from 9 April.
The available information is still very brief. The engine is powered by the 998cc four-in line of the Kawasaki ZX-10RR, good for a top power of 200 hp at 13,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 111 Nm at 11,700 rpm. Although there is more of sufficient for the street, that is far below the current one -liter superbike standard of 215 hp or (much) more.
In addition to the block, Bimota has also taken over the full electronics package from the ZX-10RR, including TFT display and switches on the steering wheel. This means that the KB998 Ride-by-Wire has throttle valve control and several adjustable driving modes, but it can also be stated here that it is (much) less extensive than those systems of Ducati and BMW in particular.
The bicycle part of the KB998 Rimini consists of a half-timbered frame that is made up of oval chrome-molybdenen tubes, with screwed-up aluminum-milled sketch plates in which the rear bridge hinges. The pivot point can be adjusted Bimota traditionally. At the front, a Showa 43 mm Balance Free Upside Down fork is mounted of the same type as the ZX-10RR, while a showa monoshock with link system has been applied at the back.
Although of the same type there are substantial differences compared to the showa suspension of the ZX-10RR; other interior and longer spring roads of 130 mm front and 125 mm behind, where it is at the ZX-10RR 120 mm resp. 114 mm. With 1,454 mm, the wheelbase is a fraction larger than that of the ZX-10RR (1,440 mm). The Brembo brakes are not specified, except that the 330 mm discs are in combination with a 220 disc behind.
The KB998 Rimini is also larger than the ZX-10RR in terms of dimensions. The length is exactly the same with 2,085 mm, but the Bimota is wider (862 mm vs 740 mm) and higher (1,205 mm vs 1,145 mm). The seat height, on the other hand, with 830 mm is slightly lower than the ZX-10RR (835 mm). In terms of weight, the two do not avoid each other much, Bimota claims a curb weight excl. Gasoline of 194 kg, versus 204 kilos of roadworthy (with 90% full tank) for the ZX-10rr. With a 17 liter tank, that puts another 10.7 kg on the scale.
Somewhere that is a disappointment, given that the KB998 Rimini is full of carbon fiber parts. De Kuip, the tank, the ass, the fenders front and rear, all made of the exotic stuff.
However, the biggest difference between the Bimota KB998 Rimini and the Kawasaki ZX-10RR, which therefore served as a donor, is the price and exclusivity. The KB998 is made in a limited edition of 500 units, the production of which has been spread over 2025 and 2026, for the mere price tag of € 44,730 including VAT, but excluding BPM.
You will also not have to and be able to tap the latter, because the bad news is that the 2025 models do not meet Euro 5+ and therefore cannot be put on the license plate. The production of the Euro 5+ models is planned for 2026, the 2025 models are approved in Australia, the Philippines, the Middle East, China, the US and Canada.
If the fact that you cannot put it on the license plate do not make a single nut, you can go to the following dealers in the Benelux:
• Kockelmann Motos & Fils | Francorchamps | Belgium
• Moto’s Maes | Menen | Belgium
• Moto Center Mertens | Tielt-Winge | Belgium
• Goedhart Motoren Bodegraven The Netherlands
• Vos Oss Motoren | Oss | The Netherlands
• Druijff Racing | Lunteren | The Netherlands
• Motodis | Mersch | Luxembourg
If you have to ride on the street, you can still go to the above dealers, but you will have to wait until 2026.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.