The Bimota YB8 is a 1,002 cc four-cylinder superbike that Bimota built from 1990 to 1994, using an engine derived from the Yamaha FZR1000 Exup.
Bimota YB8 at a glance
| Manufacturer | Bimota, Rimini, Italy |
|---|---|
| Production | 1990–1994 |
| Engine | 1,002 cc inline-four, four-stroke, Yamaha FZR1000 Exup derived |
| Carburettors | 4 × Mikuni, 36 mm |
| Frame | Aluminium perimeter, square section |
| Fork | 42 mm Marzocchi |
| Shock | Marzocchi |
| Brakes | Brembo, 320 mm front and 230 mm rear discs |
| Wheels | Oscam aluminium, three-spoke |
This article is based on the Italian Wikipedia article on the Bimota YB8. The page is titled YB8 although the record address is /bimota-yb/.
History of the Bimota YB8
The YB8 was presented at EICMA in 1989 and produced from 1990 to 1994. Its 1,002 cc inline four came from the Yamaha FZR1000 Exup through a supply agreement and was fed by four 36 mm Mikuni carburettors. As on other Bimotas, the engine was a stressed member of a square-section aluminium perimeter frame.
The cycle parts included a 42 mm Marzocchi fork and a Marzocchi rear shock, Brembo brakes with two 320 mm front discs and a 230 mm rear disc, and three-spoke Oscam aluminium wheels.
YB8 Furano and YB8 E
In 1992 Bimota introduced an updated version called the YB8 Furano, named after a wind that blows on the Adriatic near Rimini. The carburettors were replaced by Weber Marelli electronic injection, power rose to 164 hp at 10,500 rpm, and the bike received Öhlins suspension, a two-piston rear brake caliper and a 5 kg lower dry weight.
In 1993 Bimota presented a third version, the YB8 E (for evoluzione), a compromise between the standard YB8 and the Furano. It kept the Furano’s electronic injection but used Marzocchi suspension and the standard YB8’s single-piston rear caliper.
Design and features
- Engine: a 1,002 cc Yamaha FZR1000 Exup-derived four with four Mikuni carburettors.
- Frame: a square-section aluminium perimeter frame.
- Suspension: a 42 mm Marzocchi fork and a Marzocchi rear shock.
- Wheels: three-spoke Oscam aluminium wheels.
- Brakes: Brembo 320 mm front discs and a 230 mm rear disc.
Bimota YB8 versions
- YB8: the original carburettor model, built from 1990 to 1994.
- YB8 Furano: the 1992 version with Weber Marelli injection, 164 hp and Öhlins suspension.
- YB8 E: the 1993 evolution with the Furano’s injection and Marzocchi suspension.
See also: the Bimota YB9, the Bimota YB11, the Bimota YB6 and the Bimota collection.
Bimota YB8 questions and answers
What is the Bimota YB8?
A 1,002 cc Yamaha-engined superbike built by Bimota from 1990 to 1994.
What engine did the YB8 use?
An inline four derived from the Yamaha FZR1000 Exup, with four 36 mm Mikuni carburettors.
What was the YB8 Furano?
A 1992 version with Weber Marelli electronic injection, 164 hp and Öhlins suspension.
What was the YB8 E?
A 1993 evolution between the standard YB8 and the Furano, with injection and Marzocchi suspension.
Why is the record address /bimota-yb/?
Because the original record used a short generic title; the article identifies the model as the YB8.
Video: BIMOTA YB8 FCR ビモータ
Video by Takashi Okawa on YouTube.
Sources
- Bimota YB8, Italian Wikipedia: history, engine, frame, suspension, brakes and versions
