BIMOTA DB3 MANTRA (1995 - 2002) Review

Item: BIMOTA DB3 MANTRA
Rating: 3
Author: MCN Staff

MCN rating 3 out of 5 (3/5)

Owners' rating 3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)

Bimota Mantra motorcycle review - Riding

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	2 out of 5 (2/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£200
Power:	86 bhp
Seat height:	Low (30.7 in / 780 mm)
Weight:	Low (379 lbs / 172 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

3 out of 5 (3/5)

”What the hell is that?” is likely to be the first comment from anyone who sees you ride into town on a Bimota Mantra. But don't be scared, underneath designer Sacha Lakic's tribute to Buck Rogers sci-fi there's a sensible Ducati-engined cruiser/roadster. A claimed 85bhp from the old 904cc Duke motor, plus classy suspension and chassis detailing make the Bimota Mantra surprisingly easy to ride.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine

4 out of 5 (4/5)

Again, the Bimota Mantra is a surprising bike, because although it looks bizarre, it actually handles very well, with a stiff trellis frame, meaty Paioli 43mm forks and a firm monoshock at the back. The brakes are excellent and a 24 degree fork angle gives the Bimota Mantra real agility in town, or on very twisty roads. In a word, it's classy.

Engine

Next up: Reliability

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Bimota Mantra's 904cc Ducati engine appeared in the first generation Monster 900 bikes, the Paso, 900SS as well as the Cagiva Elefant 900, making it a mainstay of the Italian bike industry during the fist half of the 1990s. It's a reasonably punchy unit and so long as you look after it, you'll cover many miles in a relatively zen-like state.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Not may Bimotas from the 1990s have 100% reliability records and the Mantra is likely to suffer the same electrical niggles and various bodywork blemishes as an SB or YB series Bimota. For all their faults however, owners, especially those who bought them new tend to lavish thousands on them, so buying a Bimota Mantra used might not be too risky - so long as you don't plan on riding it very far, or requiring any unobtainable spares.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Priced at £13,500 back in the mid 1990s the Mantra, indeed most Bimotas, were for the seriously rich biker. Few were sold obviously, as the oddball looks and high price ticket tended to put off all but the most determinded extroverts. Now, they fetch about £4000-£5000 used and are sought out by collectors in the main, as their sheer rarity means the value of the Bimota Mantra will probably rise in the future. Find a Bimota mantra for sale.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

There's some classy bits of engineering on the Bimota Mantra, with top notch Italian suspension and braking components for the era on show. The tiny screen doesn't offer much wind protection however and the motorcycle's oddball bodywork shapes more or less rule out practical duties like slinging luggage on the bike and touring on it. Definitely more show than go. Compare and buy parts for the Bimota Mantra.

Specs
Engine size	904cc
Engine type	V-twin, four stroke, 6 gears
Frame type	Aluminium oval trellis
Fuel capacity	16 litres
Seat height	780mm
Bike weight	172kg
Front suspension	Preload, rebound, compression
Rear suspension	Preload, rebound, compression
Front brake	Twin 320mm disc
Rear brake	230mm disc
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17 in
Rear tyre size	180/55 x 17 in

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption	40 mpg
Annual road tax	£101
Annual service cost	£200
New price	-
Used price	-
Insurance group	16 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power	86 bhp
Max torque	67 ft-lb
Top speed	125 mph
1/4 mile acceleration	12.5 secs
Tank range	120 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

1995: Bimota Mantra launched.
2002: Bimota in administration.
2003: Handful of Bimota Mantras find their way out of Italy in receivership sale.

Other versions

None.

Owners' reviews for the BIMOTA DB3 MANTRA (1995 - 2002)

2 owners have reviewed their BIMOTA DB3 MANTRA (1995 - 2002) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your BIMOTA DB3 MANTRA (1995 - 2002)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Engine:	3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Reliability & build quality:	2 out of 5 (2/5)
Value vs rivals:	3 out of 5 (3/5)
Equipment:	3 out of 5 (3/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£200