MCN: Bimota DB7 first ride

The Bimota DB7 needs some 'hot poop' tyres according to MCN...
Pic: MCN

Somehow, their bikes never turn out to be as good as they should be – the whole is always less than the sum of its parts – but we still have a soft spot for Bimota. They are one of the very few companies left that still make motorcycles for the love of it. (Well, that's what we like to think anyway...)

The latest in the line of Bimotas that should be absolutely, world-beatingly glorious, but aren’t, is the DB7. MCN’s Michael Neeves recently got to ride a DB7 at the Misano circuit in Italy, and here’s what he has to say about the machine:

‘It’s surprisingly roomy given how small it looks. The brakes are superb and the engine has got more mid-range power than the Ducati 1098 thanks to Bimota’s new fuel injection and exhaust system. There is a ‘but’ though. For a bike like this, with high quality suspension, if it’s not set up specifically for the rider, it can be awkward to ride. This is definitely the case here. The steering is slow and heavy, and stability in the corners is not great because of the too soft rear suspension. But even with these problems, the bike is light and agile.’

‘The Continental tyres are appalling. They have very low grip at the rear and zero feel at the front. If I was paying over £21,000 for a bike I’d expect the latest hot poop tyres,’ says Neeves. Hmm… so we suppose once you’ve got those Contis off the bike and put on some ‘hot poop' tyres, the DB7 should be quite all right. Now all we have to do is find those £21,000…