First Ride: 2006 Bimota DB6 Delirio

A cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a marriage of convenience between the organic and the mechanical. And the Bimota DB6 Delirio is the bastard child of just such a union.

Sergio Robbiano, chief designer of the Delirio, confirms as much, saying that the exquisite swingarm was the work of both a modern CAD software program as well as the sweat of the 'hands-on' whittling of physical prototypes. "We used a computer first," explains Robbiano, "but our dream was to have a swingarm which gave alternative ride-height, or wheelbase, with the simple replacement of a few pieces. No matter what the computer says, you have to ride the bike, to try all the combinations, analyse the results and assess the feeling the bike gives you in motion."

Out on the roads around Rimini, Bimota's manufacturing base, we put some of that to the test on a myriad of road surfaces.

In a nutshell, I was blown away by the sure handling and the sheer quality of the ride from the bike. The DB6 has that elusive mix of front-end feedback, light steering and secure back-end behaviour that every naked sports bike should have. It's also as comfy as a Bandit 1200, meaning you could tour on it. Brakes also worked as advertised, or maybe better, with the Brembo radial calipers gripping 320mm discs a mite too swiftly until used to their stopping power.

The only question mark for some will be the DB6's engine, which is the standard-tune Ducati 1000DS unit, making just 92bhp. This is just enough for this machine. It's all delivered with the utmost flexibility and 'jerk-free' fuel injection. DB6 buyers will love the overall balance of engine versus chassis. If not, then a trip to a Bimota or Ducati dealer, followed by a swift download of ECU software upgrades, will squeeze out a further 5-7bhp.

Overall, the DB6 feels solid, modern and well-made. Nothing fell off or worked loose, there was not one strand of exposed wiring and not one bike trickled to halt for any reason. In short, the DB6 is a remarkable creation that I never expected from the revived Bimota.

VERDICT 4/5


This bike has real finesse, but it takes time to grow on you. Only time will tell if the quality lasts

SPECS


TYPE - STREETBIKE


PRODUCTION DATE - 2006


PRICE NEW - £11,299


ENGINE CAPACITY - 992cc


POWER - 92bhp@8500rpm


TORQUE - 65lb.ft@4500rpm


WEIGHT - 170kg


SEAT HEIGHT - 830mm


FUEL CAPACITY - 17L


TOP SPEED - N/A


0-60 - n/a


TANK RANGE - N/A

Click to read: Bimota DB6 Delirio owners reviews, Bimota DB6 Delirio specs and to see the Bimota DB6 Delirio image gallery.

A cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a marriage of convenience between the organic and the mechanical. And the  Bimota DB6 Delirio is the bastard child of just such a union.

Sergio Robbiano, chief designer of the Delirio, confirms as much, saying that the exquisite swingarm was the work of both a modern CAD software program as well as the sweat of the 'hands-on' whittling of physical prototypes. "We used a computer first," explains Robbiano, "but our dream was to have a swingarm which gave alternative ride-height, or wheelbase, with the simple replacement of a few pieces. No matter what the computer says, you have to ride the bike, to try all the combinations, analyse the results and assess the feeling the bike gives you in motion."

Out on the roads around Rimini, Bimota's manufacturing base, we put some of that to the test on a myriad of road surfaces.

In a nutshell, I was blown away by the sure handling and the sheer quality of the ride from the bike. The DB6 has that elusive mix of front-end feedback, light steering and secure back-end behaviour that every naked sports bike should have. It's also as comfy as a Bandit 1200, meaning you could tour on it. Brakes also worked as advertised, or maybe better, with the Brembo radial calipers gripping 320mm discs a mite too swiftly until used to their stopping power.

The only question mark for some will be the DB6's engine, which is the standard-tune Ducati 1000DS unit, making just 92bhp. This is just enough for this machine. It's all delivered with the utmost flexibility and 'jerk-free' fuel injection. DB6 buyers will love the overall balance of engine versus chassis. If not, then a trip to a Bimota or Ducati dealer, followed by a swift download of ECU software upgrades, will squeeze out a further 5-7bhp.

Overall, the DB6 feels solid, modern and well-made. Nothing fell off or worked loose, there was not one strand of exposed wiring and not one bike trickled to halt for any reason. In short, the DB6 is a remarkable creation that I never expected from the revived Bimota.

VERDICT

This bike has real finesse, but it takes time to grow on you. Only time will tell if the quality lasts.

Bimota DB6 Delirio Specs

SPECS
TYPE - STREETBIKE
PRODUCTION DATE - 2006
PRICE NEW - £11,299
ENGINE CAPACITY - 992cc
POWER - 92bhp@8500rpm
TORQUE - 65lb.ft@4500rpm   
WEIGHT - 170kg
SEAT HEIGHT - 830mm   
FUEL CAPACITY - 17L   
TOP SPEED - N/A
0-60     - n/a
TANK RANGE - N/A