When Bimota surprisingly announced that it would be competing in WSBK in 2025 with Kawasaki and as part of what is now KRT, we were left with many questions to be answered. Now that time has passed, we are clear that it will be replacing the Kawasaki ZX-10R of the official team with its KB5, and we also know that those responsible for the project will have to deal with certain regulations in order for the bike to be able to compete.
In fact, to compete in WSBK you have to comply with several regulations, although the main one is that it must be a mass-produced motorcycle that can be used on the road. This is already complicated in the sense that the first thing they have to think about is how to pass all the relevant homologations to be able to ride.
But there is more. They also have to meet certain requirements in terms of the competition itself, and that is why Bimota and Kawasaki have an important task ahead of them. Currently, none of the Bimotas we know of could take part in the championship because they are not bikes that are suited to the category.
That’s why we’re waiting for a version that we should know before the end of the year. And if they want to participate next season, time is against them. We know from the project that Bimota will be in charge of the chassis and Kawasaki will supply the engine of the ZX-10R. From there we don’t know any more details about the Bimota KB5, which is the name that the bike in question will have.
The rules that the Bimonta KB5 will have to comply with to participate
However, it would not be logical to expect from the KB5 either an ultra-radical bike or one that is tremendously expensive. The WSBK regulations have a maximum retail price, because in order to be homologated its RRP must be less than 44,000 euros. This is the maximum price that the bike, from which it is started and then prepared and competed, would cost us in any dealership. Although it is possible to cheat: the brand can sell below its optimal price, even losing money.
In addition to that, there is another requirement. In the first year, at least 250 units of the KB5 must be manufactured, but not sold, and by 2026, there would have to be 500. And this fact, which seems inconsequential, is part of the trick, since there are so few units, the brands can take it as an investment and offer the maximum without expecting great benefits. What we said before with the final sale price.
What is certain is that the Bimota KB5 is one of the most eagerly awaited sports bikes of recent times and, without a doubt, everyone in WSBK is waiting to see where it will go in the timesheets. However, both to find out about it and to find out how it performs, we will still have to wait a little longer.
