Bimota Tesi 3D Naked 40th Anniversary, on the track with its first 4-wheeled sister [PHOTO and VIDEO]

Bimota Tesi 3D naked 40th Anniversary - one of the most iconic motorcycles that exist, an object so rich in particular and unique details that you could even buy it just to put it in the living room and enjoy it with your eyes. We actually found that It's also a satisfying bike to rideOn the occasion of track tests of the first car that the Rimini company wanted to try its hand at, a special edition of the Peugeot RCZ R, the Bimota PB104 precisely (the acronym respects motorbike standards, therefore it is an acronym for Peugeot Bimota, 1 because it is the first, 04 for the number of wheels). The article on this car, very interesting already as standard, made very bad by this reinterpretation you can find it at this link.

The Bimota brand celebrates 40 years of activity with a special edition of its most famous motorcycle, but the history of this Romagna factory is not only linked to the Tesi. Founded in 1966, the name is an acronym of the surnames of the three founders: Bianchi, Morri and Tamburini. At the beginning, however, the activity was completely different, while that linked to the world of two wheels began in 1975. After some experiments on an MV basis, 10 HB1 motorcycles were produced. The acronym indicates Honda base (the initial "H", while the B is obviously that of Bimota), the number is the progressive number of the combination. Taking a CB750 Four as a basis, engine included, the chassis and chassis were instead the work of a thorough review. Fame came later with participation in competitions, with a good number of victories. The projects and models are numerous, on a Japanese basis (all the 4 main manufacturers) but also Ducati and BMW (since 1995 and still today the BB3 is the object of desire that shows off the Romagna logo).

However, when you think of Bimota you can't help but imagine the Tesi, the strangest model, but also the most linked to this brand. The name derives precisely from the fact that the study of a front end that separated the suspension from the steering was Pier Luigi Marconi's degree thesis. It arrived at the Milan show in 1983 (with the VF 400 F engine), but the development of the production motorbike was anything but trivial and we had to wait until 1990, after numerous experiments, some of which on racing motorbikes, which brought fame to the name of this model even before it sees the light. The engine of the Tesi 1/D is indeed a Ducati (851 with 102 horsepower), whose base was more suitable to act as a structural element. It cost a whopping 40 million lire, more than double that of a super sports car, but it was already an absolutely innovative, exclusive and particular object. After some vicissitudes Bimota launches the second series of the Tesi in 2006, revised in the front end, which has now become its trademark, and leaving the mechanics visible, given that it is now without the fairing. Then comes 3D, and the 3D naked with wide handlebars in 2010. We tried the latter, a special edition for Bimota's 40 years of activity. There was a lot of curiosity, because that front end has always been the subject of a thousand arguments and discussions, but also because the Tesi, in any version, is certainly not such a widespread or easy motorcycle to ride.

The opportunity to get on the saddle and try a cult object for any two-wheel enthusiast is therefore full of expectations, but also of fears. For example, when having to create a video that could provide a bit of emotion, the monowheels could not be missing and the doubt about what could happen in the "descent" phase of the surge there was. In the end it is much more "normal" than expected. Years of refinement of such a particular system have solved the most glaring problems that we remember reading about at the beginning of the 90s and before. The fact of not having a direct connection between handlebar and wheel is almost not noticeable, the only peculiarity that is immediately evident è the steering angle is very small indeed. Just think that in the first prototypes the handlebar moved a hydraulic piston, which through a connecting pipe moved another which allowed the wheel to steer. A system that was too indirect, which even forced us to anticipate to compensate for the "implementation" time of the command. Fortunately, hydraulics were then abandoned in favor of mechanical tie rods, which make everything more direct and immediate. The fact that the action of the suspension and the steering action of the front tire are separate makes it worthwhile the Thesis is unique in terms of cornering stability. It is necessary to gain trust and partly do psychological violence at the beginning, because obviously everything is very different compared to a traditional fork. Direct feedback on the handlebars is missing, similarly to what happens with a BMW equipped with Telelever, just to make a comparison with something better known, even if the parallel between the two systems is valid up to a certain point. What you get from this solution is mainly contained in three advantages: stability on fast speeds, the almost total cancellation of load transfers and the much lower center of gravity compared to a fork traditional, given that the bulk of the system is a few centimeters above the ground. All in all the mass of the Tesi 3D is very small, just 170 kg dry, it is very narrow and very compact, while the dimensions and spaces available for the mechanics force, at least today, the adoption of an engine without water radiators. This is why it is still used the 1078 cc Ducati L-twin, capable of 98 horsepower and 98 Nm. In all sincerity, it is not a monster of power, but a motorbike like this does not seek absolute performance, but rather amazes with its refined and particular gems and details. Like that unique frame of its kind, which combines a tubular trellis part with the two aluminum omega plates which enclose the engine and join the front end to the rear swingarm. The front wheel hub is unique, it contains the kinematics for the steering and observing everything to understand how it works is already a privilege in itself. Precious materials such as carbon, also used for the tank as well as for the parts left visible unpainted, they accompany unique and refined solutions, with an almost obsessive attention to detail. As we have said, the Tesi 3D, more than a motorbike, is an object to be observed and enjoyed even when stationary, because the front end is only the most famous of its thousand wonders. The rear swingarm is also almost a work of art, with its tubes joined to small aluminum plates connected to the wheel. The components are also of the highest level, starting from the two shock absorbers, come on forged aluminum rims and come on Brembo brakes. The 40th Anniversary, made in a limited edition of 40 examples, has a classic Bimota livery in the superstructures, while the one on our test is elegantly all black as regards tubes and plates of the frame and swingarms. We perhaps like it better in the more classic red for the tubes, with the unpainted aluminum plates, because the contrasts make the details stand out more.

What you notice right from the first corners is that the bike always stays flat, with a substantial elimination of load transfers and with curve entry different from what we are used to. When you gain confidence and start daring, the results of this solution can be felt quite a bit. Even when changing direction she is quick, because the masses are almost all arranged a few centimeters above the ground. However, the Tesi gets its biggest advantage when cornering, where the front end makes the difference. It turns out to be very stable, to the point that the cold tire sliding on the asphalt does not cause a dangerous closure of the front end, but only a broadening of the trajectory, in practice without ever risking anything. It almost feels like a car understeering rather than a motorcycle losing grip at the front, a concept that makes us understand the different safety, much higher, than a traditional fork. As we complete laps of the track we also discover that the very high footrests, which initially seemed more of a source of discomfort than anything else, are functional to the fact that the Tesi allows unexpected lean angles, always in total safety.

In the end it was the rain that abruptly interrupted our experience earlier than expected, also because the photographer wanted it clean, having yet to immortalize the details of this wonderful object. We are still curious about an in-depth road test, for now our opinion is positive, it is a motorbike that to define as unique is an understatement. Put together decidedly exclusive solutions, an unusual appearance and refined components. If we were to find a flaw in it, we would probably like to have had a more powerful engine available, because now 98 horsepower is too little to have serious fun, at least on the track. It would be interesting to see such a particular solution developed and combined with a super sports car, but ours will probably remain an unachievable wish. It doesn't matter, because that's already the case the Thesis is a great object. The price? A detail of little importance for those who decide to choose this brand and this unique and exclusive model, Moreover configurable in an almost tailor-made way. We are around 30 thousand euros anyway, but the figure varies based on how you decide to configure it.

Photographer: ENGINEER

Test clothing:

Total: Dainese Laguna Seca Evo
Helmet: Scorpion-EXO 2000 EVO AIR