Bimotas-WSBk-Machine.jpg

🏍️ Bimota’s Extreme WorldSBK Push: 2026 Season Preparation Begins

The roar of engines and the pursuit of Superbike World Championship glory never truly cease, and for the Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team (BbKRT), the 2026 WorldSBK season has already begun with a significant strategic shift. Following a promising debut season with the Bimota KB998 Rimini, the Anglo-Italian partnership is now embracing an “extreme direction” in their technical development, signaling a fierce commitment to challenging the established frontrunners. This aggressive new phase of WorldSBK preparation is focused on unlocking the full potential of their unique machine, turning early-season podium finishes into consistent race-winning performance.

The KB998 Rimini: A Promising Foundation

Bimota’s return to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in 2025 was marked by the debut of the KB998 Rimini. This machine represents a compelling blend of Italian chassis excellence and proven Japanese engine technology, utilising the robust and competitive Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR powerplant within a bespoke Bimota frame. The pairing of Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani provided the new project with a potent blend of experience and youthful aggression. Lowes, in particular, demonstrated the bike’s potential, securing multiple podiums—a remarkable feat for a machine in its inaugural year of World Superbike competition.

However, the team, backed by the immense resources and technical expertise of Kawasaki, understands that success in WorldSBK racing demands relentless innovation. The 2025 WorldSBK campaign highlighted a key area for improvement: straight-line speed. The unique aerodynamic fairing of the KB998, featuring prominent front wings, while contributing to cornering stability, introduced a drag penalty that the ZX-10RR derived engine struggled to fully overcome against lighter, more aerodynamically efficient rivals. Addressing this crucial weakness is central to their 2026 development plan.

The ‘Extreme Chassis Direction’ and Jerez Testing

The first major steps towards the 2026 Superbike season were taken at the post-race test at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in October. This test served as the crucible for the new philosophy, where the team began to explore what Lowes described as a more “extreme chassis direction.”

This extreme development doesn’t merely imply minor tweaks; it signifies a fundamental push against the limits of the current technical regulations to maximise the performance envelope. Key test items included:

  • Radical Chassis Geometry: Experimenting with significantly altered settings to improve turn-in, mid-corner speed, and crucial corner exit grip. The focus is on making the KB998 an even easier bike to manage through complex sections.
  • New Swingarm Design: A different swingarm was tested, a critical component that directly influences rear wheel traction and feel—vital for translating the Kawasaki engine’s power into forward drive.
  • Showa Suspension Components: Evaluating new suspension parts from Showa, aiming for superior damping control and feel, especially under the heavy braking and rapid direction changes that define World Superbike battles.

Alex Lowes, a rider with a history of adapting to and developing machinery, provided encouraging feedback from the Jerez test. He specifically noted a significant improvement in Sector One of the Spanish circuit, finding the bike “a lot easier to manage” when stopping and changing direction. This early positive confirmation offers a clear development direction for the winter break.

2026 Blueprint for Success

The team’s strategy is a multi-faceted approach blending racing performance with brand exposure

  • Bimota WorldSBK 2026: Targeting fans searching for the future of the Italian marque in the premier production-based series.
  • KB998 Rimini Extreme: Emphasising the unique model and the aggressive nature of the new development phase.
  • Superbike Development: Highlighting the ongoing technical progress and R&D effort.
  • Kawasaki Racing Team Partnership: Stressing the established, winning lineage backing the project.
  • Alex Lowes Podium: Celebrating the early success and the rider’s role in the development.

The 2026 WorldSBK preparation now moves from initial track testing to intensive winter development. Team Manager Guim Roda has acknowledged the need to work within the confines of Superconcession possibilities and the restrictive engine rules. The team must find solutions in aerodynamics and chassis efficiency to compensate for the inherent limitations in engine tuning. This involves:

  1. Aerodynamic Overhaul: Refining the fairing and wing design to reduce drag without sacrificing the critical downforce that Lowes praised for cornering stability. A focus on aerodynamic efficiency will be key to unlocking better straight-line speed.
  2. Engine Power Delivery: Working on flexible engine tuning and electronics to maximise acceleration out of corners, ensuring every horsepower is efficiently deployed to the tarmac.
  3. Chassis Fine-Tuning: Leveraging the “extreme” data from Jerez to build a refined race-ready KB998 Rimini that maintains its cornering prowess while being less demanding for the rider over a full race distance.

The re-signing of both Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani provides vital rider continuity—a non-negotiable factor when undertaking such an ambitious development project. Their intimate knowledge of the KB998’s initial traits allows for precise feedback on the new, aggressive setup changes. The goal is to elevate the Bimota KB998 Rimini from an occasional podium challenger to a consistent WorldSBK frontrunner, proving that the unique chassis/engine combination can deliver race wins. The 2026 WorldSBK grid will be fiercely competitive, but Bimota’s move towards an extreme direction showcases a serious intent to make a definitive mark on the championship. The winter testing program will be instrumental in bridging the performance gap, ensuring the Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team is fully prepared for the opening round at Phillip Island.

👍 Excellent choice! Let’s dive into the technical heart of the Bimota KB998 Rimini‘s extreme development for the 2026 WorldSBK season and how the Superconcession rules provide the necessary framework for this push.

🛠️ The KB998 Rimini’s Extreme Chassis Direction: Technical Breakdown

The Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team (BbKRT) is leveraging Bimota’s legendary expertise in chassis design to find performance gains where the WorldSBK rules are most flexible: the chassis and electronics. The Kawasaki ZX-10RR engine, which powers the KB998 Rimini, is tightly regulated, meaning significant power increases are almost impossible without an expensive road-bike update. Therefore, the 2026 WorldSBK preparation is focusing on making the existing 200hp engine package as efficient and easy to use as possible.

1. Radical Chassis Geometry Adjustments

The “extreme direction” mentioned by rider Alex Lowes points to a willingness to push the limits of motorcycle geometry.

  • Rake and Trail: The team is likely experimenting with significantly steeper rake angles and shorter trail figures than the stock or initial race settings. While the standard KB998 features a unique frame—a billet aluminum alloy plate structure bolted to a steel trellis—Bimota has historically engineered its chassis for high adjustability.
    • Goal: A steeper rake makes the bike turn faster and requires less effort to change direction, critical for the tight chicanes and rapid transitions on most World Superbike circuits. The downside is potential instability, which the team must balance with sophisticated suspension settings.
  • Swingarm Pivot: The Jerez test included a new swingarm design. This is a major change because the swingarm pivot point dictates how the bike transfers weight and deploys power to the rear tire.
    • Goal: Altering the pivot height can change the amount of anti-squat effect. By fine-tuning this, the team aims to improve rear-wheel traction under hard acceleration, directly compensating for any horsepower deficit by ensuring maximum forward drive.

2. Showa Suspension and Feel

The KB998 Rimini already uses premium Showa Balance Free components (BFF fork and BFRC lite rear shock), but the 2026 development involves new parts and setup concepts.

  • Enhanced Damping Control: The focus is on achieving a more responsive and communicative feel from the suspension, particularly when the rider is braking hard and leaning into the corner. Lowes mentioned the bike feeling “easier to manage” during turn-in, suggesting a major improvement in the fork’s ability to remain stable and controlled under compression.
  • Custom Links: Changes to the suspension linkage (the rocker system connecting the shock to the swingarm) are common in this kind of extreme development. This alters the rear suspension’s progression, making it softer or stiffer through its travel to find the perfect compromise between bump absorption and bottoming resistance.

⚖️ The Superconcession Rules: Bimota’s Engine Lifeline

The WorldSBK Superconcession rules are the crucial tool that allows the BbKRT to legally improve the performance of their Kawasaki-derived engine.

Understanding Concessions

The WorldSBK technical rules restrict manufacturers from making significant changes to the engine of the race bike unless a corresponding change is made to the production model (homologation special). However, a system of Concession Points exists to help manufacturers who are underperforming relative to the leaders.

  • Concession Points: These are awarded based on race results (or lack thereof). A manufacturer accumulates points by finishing outside of certain positions.
  • Engine Upgrades: Once a manufacturer gathers enough concession points, they can use them to apply for Superconcessions. This grants permission to modify certain restricted engine parts—specifically, the crankshaft, connecting rods, and camshafts—that are typically fixed.

Bimota’s 2026 Superconcession Strategy

BbKRT Team Manager Guim Roda has explicitly stated the team is banking on Superconcession possibilities for the 2026 WorldSBK season to address the KB998’s biggest weakness: straight-line speed compared to competitors like Ducati and BMW.

  • Targeting Revs and Acceleration: The most likely engine modifications Bimota will pursue, if granted Superconcessions, are:
    1. Camshafts: New profiles would allow for higher valve lift and/or duration, which can significantly increase peak power and top-end performance, directly addressing the speed deficit.
    2. Crankshaft: A lighter crankshaft could be used, leading to quicker throttle response and faster engine acceleration through the gears.

By pursuing an extreme chassis direction (making the bike faster through corners) while simultaneously leveraging Superconcessions for potential engine upgrades (boosting straight-line speed), the Bimota KB998 Rimini is positioning itself for a major leap in its 2026 Superbike season performance, aiming for consistent race victories rather than just podium finishes.

👨‍🔬 Rider Continuity: The Key to Bimota’s Extreme Development

The core of the Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team (BbKRT)‘s aggressive push toward an “extreme chassis direction” for the 2026 WorldSBK season is the unwavering commitment to rider continuity. In the highly technical and nuanced world of Superbike development, the consistency of feedback from the riders is arguably as crucial as the hardware itself.

The decision to re-sign both Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani early for the 2026 Superbike season was a calculated strategic move by Team Manager Guim Roda, prioritising the project’s long-term success over immediate short-term results.

Alex Lowes: The Development Anchor and Podium Finisher

Alex Lowes has emerged as the development anchor for the Bimota KB998 Rimini. His value to the project is immense, stemming from three key factors:

  • Deep Kawasaki Lineage: Lowes spent five years with the former Kawasaki factory team (Provec Racing), the same team now running the Bimota operation. He possesses an intimate, institutional knowledge of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR engine and electronics package, which powers the KB998. This allows him to distinguish between engine-related issues and chassis-specific problems instantly.
  • Precise Technical Feedback: As seen in his comments from the Jerez test, Lowes is articulate and precise about the effects of the extreme chassis changes. He noted the bike was “a lot easier to manage” when stopping and changing direction. This specific, reliable feedback is what engineers use to validate new parts like the different swingarm or the new Showa suspension components. His ability to translate feel into technical data is priceless during a Superbike development program.
  • Delivering Results Under Pressure: Lowes secured all four of the team’s podium finishes in the 2025 WorldSBK debut season. This demonstrates that he can extract the maximum potential from the bike, even when it is still in its infancy. His results validate the general development direction and keep the Bimota brand visible and relevant in the highly competitive championship.

Lowes’ experience means he knows what a winning chassis feels like. His endorsement of the “extreme” direction provides significant confidence for the engineers to push harder on the design concepts.

Axel Bassani: The Raw Talent and Aggressive Comparator

Axel Bassani, nicknamed ‘El Bocia,’ provides the perfect counter-balance and comparator to Lowes’ experienced feedback.

  • Aggressive Riding Style: Bassani is known for his aggressive, rear-end-heavy riding style, which can push a bike’s limits in terms of rear-wheel traction and chassis stability. If the new extreme chassis geometry can handle Bassani’s high-demand style, it suggests a robustness that will benefit all riders.
  • Identifying Weaknesses: Bassani was quick to point out the KB998 Rimini’s weakness at the start of the season, specifically stating they were “struggling on the straight.” His feedback helps sharpen the focus on aerodynamic efficiency and the engine modifications that the team hopes to secure via Superconcessions. His desire for improved straight-line speed is a direct performance target for the 2026 development plan.
  • Growth Potential: Bassani is still a young rider in the World Superbike paddock. By keeping him on the project, the team is fostering a talent who can grow with the bike. As the machine improves, Bassani’s potential to secure his first WorldSBK race win increases, representing a massive return on investment for the team and the Bimota brand.

Why Continuity is the Ultimate?

In the context of motorcycle racing R&D (Research and Development), rider continuity acts as a foundational element that ensures every single lap of data gathered feeds into a consistent knowledge base.

  • Minimizing Variables: Developing a complex machine like a WorldSBK Superbike is about minimizing variables. A change in the rider introduces a massive variable. By keeping Lowes and Bassani, the only major variables are the new extreme chassis parts and the Superconcession-related engine upgrades. This speeds up the process of identifying whether a change is genuinely beneficial or simply suited to a different riding style.
  • Targeting Consistency: The goal for 2026 is to elevate the KB998 Rimini from a sporadic podium contender to a machine that is consistently fast at all tracks. Lowes’ and Bassani’s combined feedback from a full season provides the team with a “wish list” of improvements tailored to specific circuits (e.g., better corner-exit drive at long-straight tracks, or more stability at bumpy circuits).

The Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team’s early commitment to their riders for 2026 solidifies their belief that they are on the cusp of an engineering breakthrough. The technical foundation is being laid through extreme development, and the riders are the essential link ensuring the final product is truly race-winning.

Source

Rider Continuity for 2026 (Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani)

These sources confirm the early re-signing of both riders, which is crucial for the ongoing extreme development project:

II. Superconcessions and Engine Strategy

These links discuss Team Manager Guim Roda’s confirmation that the team is relying on the WorldSBK Superconcession rules to fix the KB998 Rimini‘s straight-line speed weakness:

III. Jerez Test and Technical Development Direction

These links cover the essential post-season testing where the “extreme chassis direction” was explored:

Our Social Media Handles

0 0 votes
Article Rating
ads botom

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments