Bimota To Switch To Moto Morini Engines?

[Travman]

Bimota To Switch To Moto Morini Engines?  It is just a speculative, made up rumor at this point, but it would make a lot of sense.  Current Bimota models are awesome.  However they cost a lot compared a comparable Ducati model.  There is a huge amount to pay for what is esstentially a small amount of weight loss.  Usually Ducati sells Bimota the slightly older engines too.  For example their top of the line sport bike still only has the 1098 engine not the latest & greatest 1198. 

As for Moto Morini, it would help them sell more engines and get more exposure.  Any Bimota models with Moto Morini engines would not compete with current Morini models since Moto Morini doesn't offer any true sport bikes, only naked bikes like the 9 1/2, Corsaro and Scrambler.


http://www.motorcycledaily.com/21april10_BimotaEngineSwitch.htm

[junior varsity]

That's not a switch.


They've always done multiple manufacturers' engines. Its even built into the model number/name. Example:

DB4 - Ducati-based, 4th iteration/generation (or Ducati-Bimota 4th), etc.

HB1 - Honda based
BB1 - BMW based

SB3 - Suzook based, etc etc.


So you might forecast this to be called "MB1 or MB3, etc"

[Travman]

I am familiar with Bimota's naming conventions, but currently (and for the past couple of years) all Bimota street bikes use Ducati engines.  So if they dropped Ducati entirely and used Moto Morini engines in place of the Ducati engine that would technically be a switch.   

It is all just speculation anyways, probably not an ounce of truth behind it. 

[DRKWNG]

Didn't  Moto Morini recently announce that they were shutting their doors for good?

[ArguZ]

Well, like all Italian bike shops they go through phases like that.
Good time to fire staff and hire back for half the pay...(just kidding)
Now that Paolo Berlusconi seems to be the new investor , you can see where that is going.
But I love to have one...
The Corsaro Veloce engine is a beast, and their chassis are to die for...always have been.
Sounds like a great combo..
So if they do it, be quick to get one, it might only last one year.

[Speedbag]

Didn't  Moto Morini recently announce that they were shutting their doors for good?

+1 

[sally101]

Didn't  Moto Morini recently announce that they were shutting their doors for good?

Saved!

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2010/April/berlusconi-saves-moto-morini/?R=EPI-123400

[DRKWNG]

Saved!

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2010/April/berlusconi-saves-moto-morini/?R=EPI-123400

Well that's some good news then.   

[Travman]

I get Benelli and Moto Morini's financial situations confused.  Benelli is now Chinese owned, but I think they have filed for bankruptcy too.  Right?