Italian boutique manufacturer Bimota has revealed one of its most intriguing models in years: the all-new Bimota KB399, alongside the more premium KB399 ES (Edizione Speciale). What makes this launch particularly interesting is not just the design or craftsmanship, but the segment it targets—a smaller-capacity, high-performance class that Bimota has rarely explored in modern times.
A familiar heart, reimagined by Bimota
At its core, the KB399 is built around the platform of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR, including its high-revving 399cc inline-four engine. However, Bimota has extracted slightly more performance, claiming 79 bhp, a modest but meaningful increase over the Kawasaki donor bike.
But as always with Bimota, the real story lies in the chassis and finishing. The KB399 receives bespoke bodywork, aerodynamic winglets, billet-machined components, and premium detailing that elevate it far beyond its donor platform. The ES version goes even further, adding carbon fibre fairings, adjustable billet rearsets, and Öhlins rear suspension, reinforcing its position as a more track-focused and exclusive variant.
Performance meets craftsmanship
Suspension across both models is already impressive, with Showa SFF-BP front forks and BFRC-lite rear shock, though the ES upgrades to an Öhlins STX46 unit for improved performance. Braking is handled by Brembo Stylema calipers, a high-end component typically reserved for larger, more powerful machines.
The inclusion of a bespoke Akrapovič exhaust ensures that the KB399 retains one of the defining traits of small-capacity inline-four bikes: a high-pitched, race-inspired soundtrack that many enthusiasts feel has been missing from modern middleweight machines.
Electronics are inherited from the Kawasaki platform, including traction control, power modes, riding modes, and a standard quickshifter—ensuring modern performance without unnecessary reinvention.
Competing in a niche but growing segment
The KB399 enters a unique space in the market. Its closest technical rival is clearly the Kawasaki ZX-4RR, but the Bimota positions itself as a premium, handcrafted alternative rather than a direct competitor.
It also indirectly overlaps with bikes like the Aprilia RS 457 or Yamaha R7, though those machines follow a different philosophy—focusing on affordability and accessibility rather than exclusivity and craftsmanship.
In many ways, the KB399 is less about outright performance per pound and more about experience, design, and rarity.
Price and exclusivity
That philosophy is reflected in the pricing. At £10,999 for the standard version and £14,699 for the ES, the KB399 sits well above its Japanese counterparts. Limited production windows further reinforce its exclusivity, making it more of a collector’s piece than a mass-market sportbike.
Final perspective
The Bimota KB399 is a fascinating blend of old-school high-revving performance and modern boutique engineering. By taking a proven platform and elevating it with premium materials and design, Bimota has created a machine that stands out in an increasingly homogenized market.
It may not appeal to riders seeking the best value or outright performance numbers, but for those who appreciate craftsmanship, rarity, and character, the KB399 offers something genuinely different.
