Kawasaki’s Darling Italian Moto Brand Is Officially Coming Back to US Shores

Team Green just announced that Bimota has an official dealership presence in the United States once again.

Close-up of a red, white, and black Bimota motorcycle with a rider in matching gear gripping the handlebar.

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Since Kawasaki acquired 49.9 percent of Bimota back in 2019, the brand has been eager to capitalize on the outfit’s Italian appeal. From the supercharged Tesi H2 to the tiny KB399, each bike has boasted one of Team Green’s powertrains, and it’s an offensive that’s even borne WSBK fruit.

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Still, even those efforts can’t compare to Kawasaki’s latest play. The brand has reappointed North Carolina-based importer Bimota Spirit as the official US dealer.

Front view of a white and red sport motorcycle with headlights on, ridden by a person in matching gear on a race track. — Bimota will once again have an official stateside presence thanks to Bimota Spirit.

As such, if you’ve been hankering to get your hands on one of these stunners, it’s now a whole lot easier.

Bimota has a new official US dealer

Importantly, it means American riders can buy street-legal Bimotas without going through the grey-market gymnastics once required to bring one stateside. Though Bimota Spirit has offered an avenue for ownership since the 2019 Kawasaki purchase, this announcement formalizes the process.

Black and red Bimota sport motorcycle leaning into a turn on a road with green trees and a church tower in the background. — Bikes like the supercharged Tesi H2 will be 50-state-compliant.

Moreover, it means that all bikes are now to be 50-state-compliant. That’s an especially monumental development if you live in places like California, as (fully legal) registration hasn’t always been a reality. Instead, many riders have been forced to rely on loopholes in more relaxed DMV systems, Montana being an example.

In any case, if you’re not already familiar with Bimota, it’s worth getting acquainted with the brand. Since its founding in 1973, the Rimini-based outfit has dreamed up truly innovative and striking motorcycles.

And across the board, it has offered lessons in honing chassis dynamics to a knife’s edge. By borrowing proven powertrains, Bimota has iterated through impressive designs such as omega-shaped frames and hub-center steering.

Sport motorcycle with black, red, and white fairings ridden by a person in black gear on a road. — If you’ve never seen a Bimota in person, they’re truly something else to behold.

Oh, and I’d be remiss not to mention that Bimota actually owes its existence to the legendary Massimo Tamburini. The eventual Ducati 916 designer founded the brand alongside Valerio Bianchi and Giuseppe Morri. The moniker is a portmanteau of their surnames.

Intoxicating, even from a distance

Bimota’s return to the US market is niche in its ambitions, as the brand will never rival its compatriots like Ducati, Aprilia or even Moto Guzzi in sales volume.

Red, white, and black Bimota sport motorcycle on a rear stand in front of brick arches. — Could Bimota’s renewed US presence invite smaller, more approachable bikes like the KB399?

Even still, what the brand’s forthcoming lineup lacks in scale, it more than makes up for in aesthetics and engineering. As part of its dealer recognition, Bimota Spirit will start by offering the new KB998 Rimini, the Tesi H2 and Tesi H2 TERA, as well as the KB4 and KB4RC.

I’ve not had the chance to personally get acquainted with the KB998 in the metal, but I can speak a little to the latter two, specifically the supercharged Tesi H2 and the gloriously retro KB4.

Having spent time around both bikes as a motorcycle sales photographer, they left me with a new appreciation for two wheels. In looks alone, they both earned their jaw-dropping reputation. I wasn’t lucky enough to get a test ride, but even a turn of the key and a blip of the throttle communicated their exotic appeal. Be it the roar of the H2 or the curves of the KB, they’re memories that still cause goosebumps.

Red and white Bimota KB4 sport motorcycle with tan seat parked on cobblestone near stone wall. — The retro-styled KB4 is a beauty, and it’s unique in that it actually positions its radiator under the tail.

If for no reason other than the chance that other riders might be able to experience those same feelings, Bimota’s announcement is something that I think warrants excitement. Even if you’ll continue to watch the brand from a distance, that distance just got a whole lot shorter.

Availability and pricing

According to Kawasaki’s announcement, Bimota Spirit is now offering limited-production units of the KB998 Rimini and the Tesi H2 from its Raleigh, North Carolina dealership with nationwide availability. The Tesi H2 TERA, KB4 and KB4RC are expected to arrive in late 2026.

Red, white, and black Bimota KB998 sport motorcycle with carbon fiber accents and green rim stripes.

Bimota KB998 Rimini

Starts at $65399

Black and red sport motorcycle parked on a stone pavement with illuminated stone walls in the background.

Bimota Tesi H2

Starts at $76349

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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