Bimota officially launch WorldSBK effort – KB998 Rimini specifications

2 weeks ago 14

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Bimota KB998 Rimini WorldSBK

The Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team (BbKRT) officially launched its 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship campaign this week, hosting a striking, cinema-themed event at the team’s headquarters near Barcelona.

Official riders Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani were joined by VIP guests, partners and senior figures from across the BbKRT project for an evening that blended brand storytelling with sporting intent, as bimota continues to build momentum in just its second season back at the top level of WorldSBK competition.

Alex Lowes

“Normally the winter is very short and busy for us. We use the time to engage as a full team with our sponsors and partners and reveal our new colours for 2026. We have a years’ worth of data now with this new bimota project, this along with some improvements over the offseason mean we can’t wait to get to Phillip Island and start racing. We know as always the challenge ahead of us but we are ready. It’s time to have fun and see what we can achieve.”

Axel Bassani

“There is no real rest period in WorldSBK and to be honest that is what I prefer as I fuel my ambition to podium on the KB998 Rimini. As an Italian I see it as my duty to give my best to the bimota racing project. BbKRT are making a super strong effort building up to our first race. It’s going to be an epic season so please join us for the ride.”

More than 300 invited guests were welcomed into a headquarters transformed into a ‘pop-up’ cinema, complete with branded tickets and popcorn machines, setting the tone for a launch that leaned heavily into narrative, heritage and ambition.

BbKRT unveiled its new 2026 colour scheme, updated graphics package and rider leathers, all built around the distinctive identity of the WorldSBK-spec bimota KB998 Rimini.

The mood around the launch was quietly confident. In its debut WorldSBK season in 2025, the KB998 Rimini delivered four podium finishes for Lowes, with both riders finishing inside the overall top ten, a strong foundation for a project still in its infancy. With a full season of data now in the bank and further winter development completed, expectations have risen heading into year two.

Kawasaki Racing Team Manager – Guim Roda

“The number one target in 2026 is to maximise the resources bimota and Kawasaki gave us. This means we must first make sure everybody is giving 100%. This needs to be done with motivation and a common target for all the staff, partners and sponsors involved. Target number two is to continue with the good feedback we got in 2025 about the market and potential customers interested in bimota machines and the brand itself. It is fascinating to help create this new branding and introduce new bike to the market that can accomplish the wishes and dreams of many fans around the world.”

Operationally, BbKRT enters 2026 with a refined structure. Uri Pallares steps into the role of crew chief for Bassani, while Pere Riba continues his long-standing partnership with Lowes on the other side of the garage.

Pierluigi Marconi, Chief Operating Officer of bimota

“2025 was the first year of bimota’s return to SBK competition after many years of absence, and it was an exciting one in terms of performance and the fact that the team never had a mechanical breakdown. This was only possible because the three entities of bimota, Kawasaki, and Provec really managed to work well together. After the championship was completed, we organised a track test with some journalists, and the test riders were able to appreciate the riding characteristics of the KB998 Rimini in its fully road-going version – and in the race-ready version created by Provec, which is based on the experience gained in the 2025 WorldSBK championship. We worked hard during the winter, and I am convinced that there will be improvements in several areas, including aerodynamics, engine, and chassis. So, we hope for excellent sporting results, even better than 2025! From a production and sales point of view, I hope that the good image we are creating in the SBK world will continue to help sales growth and market penetration.”

Chairman of the board bimota S.p.A and Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe, Shigemi Tanaka

“The creation of BbKRT was a complex process involving many people both in Europe and Japan. It is the result of their passion and dedication that we can all now witness. Tonight is a moment in time where we can reflect on what has already been achieved. We can also look forward with optimism to the future. If the progress made so far is any indication, then we are in for an exciting 2026 and beyond.”

Bimota KB998 Rimini WorldSBK Specifications

Engine – 998 cc in-line four-cylinder
Bore x Stroke – 76 x 55 mm
Power – >220 hp
Valvetrain – DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Engine Management – Electronic Ignition-injection ECU Magneti Marelli ML
Induction – 47 mm throttle bodies and twin injectors per cylinder
Exhaust – Akrapovic titanium 4-1
Frame – Front trellis made by High-resistance steel with Aluminum alloy plates
Front Suspension – Showa 48 mm inverted forks
Rear Suspension – Showa shock absorber
Transmission – Six-speed cassette
Clutch – Wet mulit-plate
Front Brakes – Brembo dual radial-mount, opposed four-piston, 336 mm discs
Rear Brake – Brembo twin-piston
Brake Hoses – J.Juan
Tyres – 125/70-R17 (F) – 200/65-R17 (R)
Fuel Tank Capacity – 21 litres
Dry Weight – 168 kg with water and oil*
* Bike weight managed by the FIM regulation

2026 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship calendar


……Date…….	Country	Circuit	WorldSBK	WorldSSP	WorldSPB
20-22 Feb	AUS	Phillip Island GP	X	X
27-29 Mar	POR	Algarve Int’l	X	X	X
17-19 Apr	NED	TT Assen	X	X	X
1-3 May	HUN	Balaton Park	X	X
15-17 May	CZE	Most	X	X	X
29-31 May	ESP	MotorLand Aragon	X	X	X
12-14 Jun	ITA	Misano – Marco Simoncelli	X	X	X
10-12 Jul	UK	Donington Park	X	X
4-6 Sep	FRA	Nevers Magny-Cours	X	X	X
25-27 Sep	ITA	Cremona	X	X	X
9-11 Oct	POR	Estoril	X	X
16-18 Oct	ESP	Jerez – Angel Nieto*	X	X	X

2026 World Superbike Championship Entry List


Rider	Bike	Team
I.Lecuona	Duc	Aruba.It Ducati
N.Bulega	Duc	Aruba.It Ducati
D.Petrucci	BMW	ROKiT BMW Motorrad
M.Oliveira	BMW	ROKiT BMW Motorrad
A.Locatelli	Yam	Pata Maxus Yamaha
X.Vierge	Yam	Pata Maxus Yamaha
Y.Montella	Duc	Barni Spark
A.Bautista	Duc	Barni Spark
A.Lowes	Bim	bimota by Kawasaki
A.Bassani	Bim	bimota by Kawasaki
S.Chantra	Hon	Honda HRC
J.Dixon	Hon	Honda HRC
S.Manzi	Yam	GYTR GRT Yamaha
R.Gardner	Yam	GYTR GRT Yamaha
S.Lowes	Duc	ELF Marc VDS
L.Baldassarri	Duc	Goeleven
T.Mackenzie	Duc	MGM Racing
G.Gerloff	Kaw	Kawasaki WorldSBK
A.Surra	Duc	Motocorsa
M.Rato	Yam	Motoxracing
B.Sofuoglu	Yam	Motoxracing
A.Iannone	Duc	Cainam Racing