At the 2023 Milan Motorcycle Show, Bimota the Tera, a motorcycle that, with its special hub steering and a supercharged four-cylinder from Kawasaki caused a stir.
The Italian company, which has been majority owned by Kawasaki since 2019, combines its characteristic chassis technology with the brutal power of the Kawasaki H2 engine in this bike.
Bimota Tesi H2 TERA
With 200 PS at 11.000 RPM and a maximum torque of 137 Nm at 9.500 rpm The Tera has enough power to provide good propulsion even on long tours. But not only the Drive makes it special – its chassis is a technical masterpiece that is based on the legendary Tesi technology based.
wheel hub steering and swing arm construction
The Tera was developed by Pierluigi Marconi, who launched a revolutionary wheel hub steering system with the Bimota Tesi in 1990. The concept: A front wheel guide with a swing arm that reduces braking dive and decouples the steering from the suspension.
This construction ensures extreme stability when braking and more precise steering, even under high loads. At the same time, it reduces unsprung masses and thus improves the response. But the Technology also has its pitfalls: High manufacturing costs, limited steering angle and less feedback at the limit have so far prevented a broad breakthrough.
Improved steering angle for better maneuverability
To make the handling of the Tera more suitable for everyday use, the Front completely revised. About a new lever system The steering movement is transmitted from the steering head to the wheel hub. This enabled the steering angle of 35 degrees per side – a full 16 degrees more than the Tesi H2.
The basic concept remains the same: The engine is part of the chassis, to which supporting plates are screwed both at the front and rear, which serve as the basis for the swing arms, the steering head and the rear frame. At the rear there is a central spring strut offset to the right, space was created for a second shock absorber, which supports the front swing arm via a lever system.
High-quality components and Kawasaki technology
Bimota uses absolutely premium parts for the Tera. These include:
- Forged magnesium wheels
- 330 mm dual disc brake system with Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers
- Modern assistance electronics from Kawasaki, including cornering ABS, lean angle-dependent traction control, four driving modes and cruise control
With a dry weight of 198 kg Despite its massive engine and complex technology, the Tera remains relatively light.
Price and availability: Not a cheap affair
Bimota has not yet announced an official price, but given the fact that the Tesi H2 already costs 64.000 EUR, the Tera is unlikely to be cheaper. All further information can be found in the video! Image and video credits/source: Bimota | This content was created using AI and reviewed by an editor.