Bimota DB11 VLX 1198 2013 — Specifications

Imagine a Ducati Testastretta 11° V-twin, already known for its volcanic temperament on the Multistrada and Diavel, and decide to graft a supercharger onto it. That’s exactly the path Bimota took to build the DB11 VLX, a motorcycle that transcends the status of a simple exclusive sportbike to enter the category of fully assumed mechanical exercises.

The resulting figures speak for themselves: 191 horsepower at 9,750 rpm, 142.2 Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm, and a top speed announced at 300 km/h. Before the supercharger was added, this 90° L-twin developed 162 horsepower in its original versions. The "Supercharged" adds 29 horsepower and distributes an extra kilogram-meter of torque across the entire operating range. Forced induction comes at a cost in terms of mass: 4 kg more on the scale, for a dry weight of 179 kg. This is acceptable for a machine of this caliber, but the right side of the motorcycle now features an induction assembly that no one can ignore at first glance.

What has distinguished Bimota since its beginnings is the rejection of standardization. Where other manufacturers pile on proven solutions, the brand from Rimini chooses its components like a Michelin-starred chef chooses his products. The DB11 VLX is the most radical demonstration of this: steel trellis frame combined with aluminum lateral plates, 43 mm Öhlins inverted fork, Öhlins mono-shock, Brembo integral braking system. The carbon fiber fairing visually lightens the silhouette and recalls that every gram counts, even when playing in this price category. Because we need to talk about the price: 32,990 euros. This is the threshold that this VLX crosses without hesitation, and which places the buyer in a very restricted circle.

Who is such a motorcycle really aimed at? Certainly not the novice looking for his first sportbike, nor the touring rider weighing the equipment-budget ratio. The DB11 VLX targets the informed enthusiast, probably already the owner of other machines, who is looking for a usable collector's item on the track or on the open road. The supercharger adds a rare technical dimension to the world of production motorcycles, which partly justifies the price difference with a conventional sportbike like a Ducati Panigale or a BMW S 1000 RR, which are nonetheless very generously endowed with power.

The downside remains the mechanical complexity inherent in this choice of forced induction. The long-term reliability of a supercharger on an engine not designed for it, the specific maintenance constraints, and Bimota's limited distribution network constitute legitimate reservations. The technical curiosity is undeniable, the pleasure of owning an almost unique object is just as much, but reason always ends up poking its head when talking about an investment of this magnitude. For those who have the means and the appetite for this kind of mechanical adventure, the DB11 VLX represents something that cannot be found anywhere else.