Bimota DB5 1000 is a Race-Winning Machine
Posted: 30 October 2006
DB 5: If there is any doubt that Bimota has solid roots in motorcycle racing culture, Salt lake Motorsports sponsored racer and employee Shane Turpin tossed a fat trump card over those concerns two weeks ago. Turpin ran the table in six races at the Miller Motorsports Park’s Masters of the Mountain series riding a (basically) stock DB 5, winning all races in both the GTO and GTU classes.
Rousseau says the DB 5 “pays homage to every technological breakthrough in Bimota’s history,” not a weak statement coming from a company that Rousseau says has chalked up 44 Moto GP race wins since its founding in 1972. Turpin, A FOUR TIME National Champion in the AMACCS, MRA and Utah Sport Bike Association classes, put it more simply, saying the DB 5 “is just a blast to ride, right out of the box.”
As is the Tesi, the DB 5 is powered by the venerable 1000 DS Ducati air cooled motor, which coupled with a Ducati-like trellis frame brings to life an extremely light and narrow motorcycle. Turpin’s DB 5 was taken by SLMS master mechanic Matt Spencer and equipped with only a simple slip on exhaust (not a full system), a slipper clutch and a Power Commander to allow Spencer to throw a basic tune on the motor.
“Right out of the crate that bike handled just awesome,” said Turpin. “Everything about the bike is top rung, and it’s on rails in the corners. We were so much faster in the turns we were able to take care of much more powerful and faster bikes at Miller.”
Spencer said that the stock DB 5 offers him a splendid platform on which to build a potent race or track day bike. According to Spencer, the DB 5 could easily be taken down to nearly 300 pounds, and the motor taken from its stock 92 horsepower to around 105 horsepower. Over the winter, Spencer will be building five 1000 DS motors used in Ducati Paul Smart replica bikes racing in the Canadian Thunder Class, and plans to expand those efforts to the Ducati Sport 1000 and GT models, all using the same power plant as the DB 5.
Two DB5s currently reside at Salt Lake Motorsports, and are available for purchase with some special savings. MSRP on the DB5 is $39,800.00, however SLMS is selling the bike Turpin rode, complete with the slip ons, slipper clutch and Power Commander for $34,500.00. The shop will restore the bike to its original condition if the purchaser desires, with no charge for the services.
Also available is a DB5 with very few miles on the clock for $33,800.00. Both bikes also include a $500.00 SLMS credit redeemable for any apparel or accessories, excluding hard parts. The two offers enable an enthusiast to step into the world of Bimota at a significant savings. Click here for details.
