Friday, August 12, 2022
MCNews
  • NEWSLatest
  • REVIEWS
  • LATEST BIKES
  • RACING
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • PRODUCTS
  • MEDIA
    • GALLERY
  • MORE
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • MCNEWS COMMENTS
    • MAIN FORUM
    • CONTACT US
    • ABOUT US
No Result
View All Result
MCNews
  • NEWSLatest
  • REVIEWS
  • LATEST BIKES
  • RACING
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • PRODUCTS
  • MEDIA
    • GALLERY
  • MORE
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • MCNEWS COMMENTS
    • MAIN FORUM
    • CONTACT US
    • ABOUT US
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
MCNews

The Bimota Tesi 1D | An 851 in an even sexier body

Phil Aynsley by Phil Aynsley
May 11, 2018
in Ducati News, Features
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare

Bimota Tesi

With Phil Aynsley


Way, way back in 1990 I paid a visit to the Bimota factory in the company of the then Australian importer, Ian Gowanloch.

The Bimota Tesi went through several iterations to reach production
The Bimota Tesi went through several iterations to reach production, starting with a GPz550 originally

I vividly remember watching a machinist standing at large, hand-controlled milling machine, slowing turning a large alloy slab into one of the two intricate, crescent-shaped plates that cradle the Ducati 851 motor of the Tesi 1D, generating an almighty pile of aluminium swarf several inches deep.

The Bimota Tesi 1D
The Bimota Tesi 1D

The original Tesi design dates back to 1980 when Bimota’s Federico Martini and postgraduate student Pier Luigi Marconi built their first take on separating a bike’s suspension from its steering. It used a Kawasaki GPz 550 motor.

Before using the Ducati powerplant a VF400 engine was also used
Before using the Ducati powerplant a VF400 engine was also used

This was followed by the first running prototype (using a Honda VF400 motor) and also featured hydraulic steering and anti-dive. It was first displayed at the 1983 Milan Show (and subsequently at the Sydney Motorcycle Show in 1987).

The Bimota Tesi based around a Honda VF400 powerplant
The Bimota Tesi based around a Honda VF400 powerplant

Bimota Tesi VF400
Bimota Tesi VF400

It wasn’t until 1987 that the first road-going model was due to be released, however lack of finances saw this pushed back until 1990 when the 1D was introduced. The original 1D was powered by a Ducati 851 motor and 127 were produced during 1990-91.

Following the use of the Ducati 851 motor, Bimota increased the stroke to produce a 904cc version
Following the use of the Ducati 851 motor, Bimota increased the stroke to produce a 904cc version

This motor was soon replaced by a Bimota modified unit that displaced 904cc (via a lengthened stroke) and was built as the 1D 906 from 1991-92 (20 bikes) and then the 1D SR from 1992-93 (144 bikes).

A Edizione Speciale and Edizione Finale were also produced in limited numbers
A Edizione Speciale and Edizione Finale were also produced in limited numbers

A 1D ES (Edizione Speciale) followed in ’93 (50 bikes) then the 1D EF (Edizione Finale) in ’94 (25 bikes). A special version for Japan was also built using the Ducati 400SS motor, the 1D J. 51 were produced over 1991-92.

Hub-centre steering was also featured but required extensive maintenance
Hub-centre steering was also featured but required extensive maintenance

While the hub-centre steering worked very well it was reliant on careful setup and constant maintenance. As a result most 1Ds had somewhat problematic handling, most of the time.

Without the required maintenance steering could be problematic
Without the required maintenance steering could be problematic

The Tesi was even raced! Here is the 1991 factory bike at the Barber Museum (in 1993 ES guise). It competed in the Italian Superbike series prototype class.

The 1991 factory bike at the Barber Museum (in 1993 ES guise)
The 1991 factory bike at the Barber Museum (in 1993 ES guise)

The Bimota Tesi 1991 factory bike
The Bimota Tesi 1991 factory bike

The Bimota Tesi 1991 factory bike
The Bimota Tesi 1991 factory bike

This is a US spec 1D SR that was imported into Australia. Weight was 214kg, and power 113hp at 8500rpm, offering a top speed of 265km/h.

Bimota Tesi 1D
Bimota Tesi 1D – with 113hp on tap a top speed of 265km/h was possible

When maintained properly the hub-centre steering was an effective solution
When maintained properly the hub-centre steering was an effective solution

RelatedPosts

Bimota DB3 Mantra

Bimota DB3 Mantra in retrospect

August 12, 2022
Bultaco's 50 cc GP Racer

Bultaco 50 cc GP Racer – 55kg – 18.5hp – 205 km/h

July 29, 2022
Tags: Bimota TesiBimota Tesi 1DDucati 851Phil Aynsley
Phil Aynsley

Phil Aynsley

Phil has been a Ducati rider for 45 years and professional photographer for the last 27. Best of both worlds really!

Related Articles

Moto Guzzi Daytona | The most underrated Guzzi?

Moto Guzzi Daytona | The most underrated Guzzi?

August 12, 2022
2022 Penrite ProMX Championship Round Seven QMP Results

Yamaha Racing Heritage Club on display and in action at Donington Park

August 11, 2022
Ducati's Multistrada V4 leads successful revenue growth in first half of 2022

Ducati reports 5.4% revenue growth in first half of 2022

August 6, 2022
Troy Bayliss Ducati WSBK 2001

Ducati World Superbike winning motorcycles through the years

July 31, 2022
Load More

SOCIALS

  • 7.2k Followers

SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS

INCASE YOU MISSED

Furusato sweeps Mandalika ATC | Thompson claims two top fives

11 Aussie youngsters invited to 2023 Asia Talent Cup Selections

August 12, 2022
Bimota DB3 Mantra

Bimota DB3 Mantra in retrospect

August 12, 2022
Jacob Roulstone Interview/Profile | A chat before Jacob heads to Europe

More on the R3/SS300 technical checks/failures/procedures

August 12, 2022

GET LATEST NEWS IN YOUR INBOX

MCNews

MCNEWS.COM.AU is a specialist on-line resource that provides motorcycle news for motorcyclists. MCNews covers all areas of interest for the motorcycling public including news, reviews and comprehensive racing coverage.

© 2022 MCNews

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
    • ALL NEWS
    • ALL NEWS CONDENSED
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • BMW News
    • Honda News
    • Husqvarna News
    • KTM News
    • Suzuki News
    • Yamaha News
    • Triumph News
    • CFMOTO News
    • Ducati News
    • Moto Guzzi News
    • Royal Enfield News
    • Kawasaki News
    • Aprilia News
    • Harley News
    • Indian News
    • MV Agusta News
    • Benelli News
    • GASGAS News
    • BETA News
    • Norton News
    • Victory News
    • EBR News
    • Rieju News
    • E-Bike News
    • Scooter News
    • LAMS News
    • ATV / SSV News
  • REVIEWS
    • All Bike Reviews
    • LAMS Reviews
    • KTM Reviews
    • Honda Reviews
    • Yamaha Reviews
    • Triumph Reviews
    • BMW Reviews
    • Suzuki Reviews
    • CFMOTO Reviews
    • Ducati Reviews
    • Kawasaki Reviews
    • Husqvarna Reviews
    • Aprilia Reviews
    • Benelli Reviews
    • BETA Reviews
    • E-Bike Reviews
    • EBR Reviews
    • GAS GAS Reviews
    • Harley Reviews
    • Indian Reviews
    • Kymco Reviews
    • Moto Guzzi Reviews
    • MV Agusta Reviews
    • Norton Reviews
    • Royal Enfield Reviews
    • Scooter Reviews
    • Sherco Reviews
    • Victory Reviews
    • Rieju Reviews
  • NEW PRODUCTS
  • LATEST BIKES
    • ALL LATEST BIKES NEWS
    • BMW
    • Honda
    • Husqvarna
    • KTM
    • Suzuki
    • Yamaha
    • Triumph
    • CFMOTO
    • Ducati
    • Moto Guzzi
    • Royal Enfield
    • Kawasaki
    • Aprilia
    • Harley
    • Indian
    • MV Agusta
    • Benelli
    • GAS GAS
    • BETA
    • Norton
    • Victory
    • E-Bike
    • Scooters
    • LAMS
    • Rieju
  • RACING
    • ALL RACING
    • ROAD
      • MotoGP
      • WSBK
      • ASBK
      • BSB
      • Real Road / TT
      • Historic Road Racing
      • Japan / Asian Road Racing
      • Endurance Road Racing
      • American Road Racing
      • NZ Road Racing
      • Supermoto
      • FIM Junior GP & MiniGP
    • DIRT
      • Supercross
      • AMA MX
      • Australian MX
      • MXGP
      • Enduro / Rally
      • Dirt / Flat Track
      • Speedway
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • GALLERY
  • LATEST COMMENTS
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT US
  • COMMUNITY FORUM

© 2022 MCNews