Lot details
Registration No: T.B.A.
cc: 888

The Tesi was in development for seven years, during which time five prototypes were built. The first three, built between 1983 and 1985 all used vee four Honda engines, the fourth prototype, built during 1987, employed a Yamaha FZ 750 powerplant and the fifth dating from 1988 employed a Ducati 851 vee twin. Common to all was their departure from conventional motorcycle design in respect of the suspension/steering arrangement which in turn resulted in an unusual frame design. The first four prototypes used differing designs for the frame elements, however with the introduction of the fifth prototype the basic concept seems to have been finalised. Two u shaped aluminium frame members sandwiched the engine and provided mounting points for the front and rear swinging arms. The steering was effected by a hub centre system. The two elements negated the inherent problem with telescopic forks; that of the geometry changing as the forks compress.
The first series of production machines, announced during 1990 utilised a Ducati 851 engine, however, after 127 of the first series were built a revised version became available using the newly introduced 904cc Ducati twin. The new version retained the bodywork and chassis components of the original "851", but was built in considerably fewer numbers with only 20 examples of the Tesi 1D 904 being produced before it was in turn superseded. The Tesi 1D SR, of which 144 were built, which replaced the 9041D, adopted a revised form of operation for the front suspension, including the use of an Ohlins suspension unit and new "tricolour" graphics It should be noted the 1D 904 was originally typed the SR but this is not often used in order to prevent confusion between it and the later 1D SR!
The example offered of the most expensive Bimota ever made is in new, unused condition and was exhibited at the Las Vegas Guggenheim in 1993 for which a certificate is included.