Bimota DB1

DB1 stands for Ducati Bimota One, i.e. the first Bimota powered by a Ducati engine compared to, say, the SB3 - Suzuki, Bimota, third design. Being the first all-Italian Bimota it came with a 750 cc Ducati 90° V-twin engine with Desmodromic valve-train in different levels of tune and styling. The frame is made of Chrome-Molybdenum steel tubing and uses a Triangulated Upper Space Frame or "Birdcage" design. The engine is a stressed member and the swingarm pivots in engine's crankcase. The DB1s triple-trees, clip-ons, rear-sets and several other bits are made of lightweight, hot stamped and billet Avional 14 aluminum. The Cagiva/Bimota/Ducati/DB1 prototype morphed into the Ducati Paso ironically designed by Bimota co-founder Massimo Tamburini. While the DB1's small size made it light weight, it resulted in difficult ergonomics for taller riders. Also, the large single-piece tank/seat bodywork was difficult to remove without a helper.