The 2026 Bimota KB998 Rimini isn’t just a motorcycle; it is a statement of intent from the legendary Rimini-based boutique. After a decade-long hiatus from the world stage, Bimota has returned to WorldSBK, and the KB998 Rimini is the road-legal homologation special that makes that return possible.
Here is an editorial look at the machine currently dominating the exotic superbike conversation.
The Masterpiece from Rimini: 2026 Bimota KB998
For decades, the “Bimota Recipe” has been simple yet unattainable for most: take the world’s most reliable, high-performance engines and wrap them in a chassis that feels like a work of industrial art. The KB998 Rimini, born from the partnership with Kawasaki, is the ultimate evolution of this philosophy.
Engineering: The Marriage of Power and Precision
At the heart of the Rimini sits the powerhouse 998cc inline-four from the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. While the Japanese donor engine provides the 200 hp (rising to 212+ hp in Elite trims), the soul of the bike is entirely Italian.
- The Split-Chassis: Designed by the legendary Pierluigi Marconi, the frame is a technical marvel. It utilizes a high-tensile steel trellis at the front mated to CNC-machined aluminum billet plates at the rear.
- Material Obsession: You won’t find mass-produced plastics here. The bike is a sea of Anticorodal and Ergal billet aluminum, micro-cast headstocks, and structural carbon fiber. Even the swingarm is a machined work of art, designed to offer a level of “mechanical grip” that traditional frames can’t replicate.
The 2026 “Elite” Edition: Racetrack Exclusivity
Just last week (April 2026), Bimota and Provec Racing unveiled the KB998 Rimini Elite. Limited to only five units globally, this version is essentially a WorldSBK bike with a kickstand.
- Weight Shedding: It drops 16.7 kg over the standard model, bringing the dry weight down to a featherlight 176 kg.
- The Price of Perfection: At roughly €99,800, it’s a collector’s dream that includes VIP hospitality at WorldSBK rounds and a private track delivery session with riders Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani.
Performance Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
| Engine | 998cc Liquid-cooled Inline-Four (DOHC) |
| Peak Power | 200 hp @ 13,600 rpm (Standard) / 212 hp (Elite) |
| Top Speed | +320 km/h (198 mph) |
| Suspension | Showa Balance Free (BFRC) with billet linkages |
| Braking | Brembo Stylema® Calipers / 330mm Semi-floating discs |
| Exhaust | Full Titanium Akrapovič System |
The Verdict
The KB998 Rimini represents a shift for Bimota. While previous models like the Tesi H2 were engineering experiments, the KB998 is a pure-blood racer. It is built to win on Sunday and be admired in a climate-controlled garage on Monday.
For the lucky 500 owners who will secure a 2026 model, it offers something increasingly rare in the digital age: a mechanical connection to the WorldSBK grid, hand-assembled in the same Rimini workshop where the brand’s “fairytale” began in 1966.
