EICMA, Bimota-Kawasaki: marriage for the Italian

EICMA 2019 officially celebrated the return, not only of a historic Italian brand, but also of a historic partnership. That between Bimota and Kawasaki is a partnership that is renewed after, already in the 70s and 80s, there was a supply of Kawasaki engines for Bimota models KB1, KB2, KB3.
The difficulties of recent years, with ownership Chiancianesi-Longoni, which took over the brand in 2013 from Roberto Comini, thanks to the agreement reached should be water under the bridge. And looking at the enthusiasm of Marco Chiancianesi, while observing the many enthusiasts who stormed the box with the Thesis H2 inside the Kawasaki stand, he says it all about what this marriage represents for the future Bimota. A future that will see, immediately, a new one KB4 with engine 4 in line of the Z1000 SX.

Where do we start to understand how this agreement was reached with Kawasaki?

"I would say from 2015, when they presented two bikes (Tesi 3D and the supercharged naked Impeto, nda), but after some time and a lap among the various dealers we saw that of just 17 orders had been collected. A little few. At that moment we realized that the road we were taking was probably not the right one. "

What was the problem in your opinion?

"Bimota, although we made beautiful bikes, did not have an adequate sales network in addition to a well-structured marketing organization. We therefore came to the conclusion that, by continuing on that road, we risked doing more damage than good. "

Then the next move

"It was time to decide on the future and we went in search of a partner. So not necessarily sell the company, but we needed a partner that could help us relaunch Bimota, with a robust marketing structure and provide economic support."

Then the research started

"Through our lawyers in Milan, toWe have sent proposals to various companies in the motorcycle sector and we immediately found a great interest, but in particular from Japan and not only from Kawasaki … "

What was the approach with Kawasaki?

"I must say that we immediately found ourselves in great harmony with them, especially with Hiroshi Itoh (General Manager of Kawasaki's motorcycle division, nda) impressed by the great passion he showed us. I am a fan and even Itoh himself, and when we met we talked about bikes almost like children. We then talked to Pier Luigi Marconi and from there everything was born. "

What is the distribution of the company's shares?

"We remain the owners with a share of 50.1% and production in Rimini, while at Kawasaki the remaining 49.9% but with financial support and at the level of the sales network, as well as technical, with the supply of engines and various types for other future models but I would prefer that – in this regard – you talk about them Pier Luigi Marconi" (go HERE for the video)

What was the job of bringing Bimota back to the market?

"My job was to ferry Bimota, when we realized that we didn't have the means to relaunch it. We focused on finding the ideal partner, but not just any one, who put his hand in his wallet, but who was a fan of motorcycles and the Bimota brand. We refused a more interesting economic offer, certainly the best among the various arrivals, but which included the use of the brand on scooters or mopeds. I would say that it was not something that could do for us … "

Can you name it?

"I can't, but I say it's a company based near Japan …"