Bimota DB8 v DB7: compare and contrast

Published: 15 January 2010 Updated: 19 November 2014

Bimota DB8
Bimota DB7

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More powerful, a little torquier, a little heavier, and a slightly lower spec explains the new 1198-powered DB8’s cheaper price.

New Bimota DB8: 1198 engine, two seats & cheaper price

At £20,300 it’s their ‘entry level’ superbike says Bimota, and the 1098-powered DB7 remains in the range, at £23,000.

“Many people are waiting for this model” says Bimota’s Anna Carla Cunego of the DB8 – so would you swap the carbon and titanium of the DB7 for the dual-seat and 1198 motor on the DB8?

Engine comparison
	DB8 (£20,000)	DB7 (£23,000)
Type	Ducati 1198 Testastretta Evoluzione	Ducati 1098 Testastretta Evoluzione
Displacement	1198.4 cc	1099 cc
Compression ratio	12.7±0,5:1	12.5 ± 0.5:1
Valves per cylinder	4	4
Bore x Stroke	106.0 mm x 67,9 mm	104.0 mm x 64.7 mm
Rev ceiling	10,700 rpm	10,700 rpm
Max power	168bhp @ 9750rpm	160bhp at 9750 rpm
Max torque	97 ft-lb @ 8000rpm	90.7 ft-lb at 8000 rpm
Inlet Valves	43.5mm	42mm
Exhaust Valves	35.5mm	34mm
Fuel Pump	3.5 bar, electric	3.5 bar, electric
Equivalent Throttle Body Section	63.9mm	60mm
Exhaust System	2-into-1 stainless steel	2-into-1 titanium
Injection System	Walbro	Magneti Marelli
Lubricating System	wet sump	wet sump
Transmission	Dry clutch multi-disc	Dry clutch multi-disc

Chassis comparison
	DB8 (£20,000)	DB7 (£23,000)
Wheelbase	1435 mm	1435 mm
Steering angle	25°	25 °
Seat height	800mm	800 mm
Rider footpeg height	400mm	400mm
Bar height	860mm	860mm
Overall length	2180mm	2100mm
Overall width	700mm	700mm
Overall height	1115mm	1115mm
Ground clearance	135mm	135mm
Front suspension	Marzocchi UD fork DLC fully adjustable	Marzocchi Corse RAC 43mm fork with DLC fully adjustable
Rear suspension	Extreme Tech Monoshock fully adjustable	Extreme Tech 2T4V shock, fully adjustable (high and low speed damping)
Front brake	Double 320mm Brembo floating disc, 4-pistons, radial Brembo callipers, radial pumps	Double 320mm Brembo floating disc, 4-pistons, radial Brembo callipers, radial pumps
Rear brake	220 mm floating disc, 2-pistons, 2-pads with Brembo calliper	220 mm floating disc, 2-pistons, 2-pads with Brembo calliper
Front wheel/tyre	3.5×17.0 forged aluminium alloy / 120/70 ZR 17 Dunlop Sportmax GP Racer	3.5×17.0 forged aluminium alloy / 120/70 ZR 17, Continental Race Attack
Rear wheel/tyre	6.0×17.0 forged aluminium alloy / 190/55 ZR 17 Dunlop Sportmax GP Racer	6.0×17.0 forged aluminium alloy / 190/55 ZR 17, Continental Race Attack
Bodywork	Plastic	Carbon
Subframe	Aluminium	Carbon
Fuel tank	16 litres (4 litres reserve)	16 litres (4 litres reserve)
Total weight	178kg	170kg

By Guy Procter

Bimota DB8

Bimota DB7