Those visiting the Kawasaki stand at EICMA may have noticed something a bit different from 'Big Green' - Bimota design concepts!
Kawasaki Motors Europe NV (a wholly owned subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.) set up a new subsidiary (April 2019, Italian Motorcycle Investment S.P.A./IMI) to manufacture and sell motorcycles under the Bimota brand in Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
Ever since it released its first model in 1972, Bimota has been admired and 'storied' in equal measure. Its unique, premium and carefully crafted performance motorcycles have earned it fans from all over the world. However, as a brand, it has had its share of corporate "near death experiences".
With Pierluigi Marconi guiding events, IMI will revive the Bimota brand and expand its operations, developing, producing and selling Bimota motorcycles. Kawasaki will supply engines and other key components in support of a Bimota revival.
The two design concepts on show at EICMA were Marconi/Kawasaki collaborations, which will combine TESI technology from Bimota and innovative technology from Kawasaki's ultra-high- performance Ninja H2 motorcycle. IMI plans to offer 200 Bimota brand motorcycles for sale in 2020.
