![200 horsepower, 998cc engine inherited from SBK. “Bimota KB998 Rimini” unveiled! [Osaka Motorcycle Show 2025]](https://motopeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/3221-1760867162552.jpg)
“Racing Jewel” combines tradition and innovation
Bimota’s new KB998 is a homologation model developed with an eye on participating in the 2025 Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), and is a street-legal machine that is completely racing-oriented. It inherits a strong racing pedigree that has continued since the 1970s, and is characterized by a design that pursues thorough weight reduction and functional beauty. Limited production of 250 units is planned for 2025, and 500 units in 2026 in accordance with FIM regulations, and its rarity also increases the value of this bike.
The 998cc engine boasts 200 horsepower and delivers impressive acceleration
At the heart of the KB998 is a 998cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, in-line four-cylinder engine. This engine produces a maximum output of 147.1kW (200hp) at 13,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 111Nm at 11,700 rpm. The extremely high compression ratio of 13:1 provides excellent combustion efficiency and response, resulting in sharp acceleration with every turn of the throttle. A high-performance DFI (Digital Fuel Injection) system is used for fuel supply, and its precise control makes it suitable for any situation, from city driving to the circuit.
Body design that highlights Bimota’s unique advanced frame structure
The frame uses a unique structure that is synonymous with Bimota. It combines a machined aluminum plate with an elliptical cross-section truss tube, achieving both high rigidity and light weight. The rear is equipped with a machined aluminum swing arm, ensuring direct road contact and traction performance. The front and rear suspension are equipped with high-performance units made by SHOWA. The front is equipped with a 43mm diameter inverted balance-free fork with a 130mm stroke, and the rear is equipped with a monoshock with a 125mm stroke, and precise damping adjustment improves stability and road feel while cornering.
Overwhelming braking power supported by racing-spec brakes and tires
The brakes are equipped with 330mm diameter dual discs in the front and a 220mm diameter single disc in the rear, ensuring braking performance commensurate with the vehicle’s powerful acceleration. The tire sizes are wide, 120/70ZR17 in the front and 200/55ZR17 in the rear, providing stable grip even at extreme lean angles. The wheel sizes are MT3.50 in the front and MT6.00 in the rear, designed to maximize the performance of the wide tires.
A racing machine in a road-legal package
The KB998 is a homologation model that can be used on the street, but its character is as close to that of a racer as possible. With a dry weight of just 195 kg, it is extremely light, and lightweight materials are used not only for the engine and frame but also for each component. The 6-speed transmission has a race-oriented close ratio design that minimizes the drop in power with each gear change. The clutch is an oil-bath multi-plate clutch that provides smooth operation even under high torque. The fuel tank capacity is 17 liters, making it suitable for fairly long runs.
Global road compliance and future prospects
The 2025 model KB998 has already been approved for road use in Australia, the Middle East, the Philippines, China, the United States (including California), and is scheduled to comply with Euro 5+ regulations in 2026. In other words, its great appeal is that, while it is purely race-oriented, it is also designed so that riders all over the world can legally enjoy its potential.
The “philosophy of speed” presented by the Bimota KB998
The KB998 is more than just a superbike. It has racing-derived functionality, Bimota-like craftsmanship, and thoroughly refined performance. All of these are condensed into one machine. The design philosophy, which is freed from the constraints of mass-produced vehicles, is clear when you look at every detail. This is a bike that embodies Bimota’s philosophy of achieving both beauty and speed at the same time. That is the KB998.
