Bimota is taking an unexpected turn with the KB399, a 399cc sport bike that opens the Italian marque to a new generation of riders. Long associated with high-displacement, limited-edition machines, the company is moving into a smaller category with a model designed for an A2-license-restricted configuration.
The KB399 is the smallest-displacement motorcycle in Bimota’s modern lineup. It draws on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R/ZX-4RR platform, while Bimota gives it distinct bodywork and its own premium presentation. The partnership dates to Kawasaki’s 2019 acquisition of a 49.9% stake in Bimota. Kawasaki supplies the engine and electronics, along with other components, while Bimota develops its own chassis solutions.
At its heart is a liquid-cooled, 399cc inline four-cylinder engine. Motorbike publications including Motorbox and Moto.it report output of 58.7 kW, or 80 CV, approximately 79 hp, paired with a six-speed gearbox and slipper clutch. The engine is derived from Kawasaki’s high-revving Ninja ZX-4R/ZX-4RR powerplant. A titanium Akrapovič exhaust, described as model-specific, comes as standard equipment.
Bimota presents the KB399 for A2 riders in a configuration electronically limited to 35 kW. Its reported full-power output is substantially higher, so A2 use depends on the restricted version. That puts Bimota in a license-conscious segment while retaining the brand’s emphasis on premium components.
The chassis pairs a double-beam aluminum frame with a 41mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork and a Showa BFRC Lite rear shock. Radial Brembo Stylema calipers handle braking. The reported electronic package includes selectable riding modes and three-level traction control; a quickshifter is standard. The bike also gets full LED lighting, with a USB port available as an option.
Bimota is also preparing the KB399 ES, or Edizione Speciale. The special version adds dry-carbon-fiber bodywork and aerodynamic winglets, along with machined components, and replaces the standard rear shock with an Öhlins STX46. Reports also list dedicated clip-on handlebars, plus machined levers and adjustable machined footrests, among its distinguishing equipment.
Prices in Spain are listed at €11,149 for the standard KB399 and €18,499 for the KB399 ES. The gap reflects Bimota’s premium specification and positioning, not an attempt to match the price of the Kawasaki platform donor. The first European customer deliveries are scheduled for December 2026.
The delivery schedule is expected to coincide with the launch of a Bimota smartphone app that connects owners with their motorcycles. Moto.it reports smartphone-to-bike connectivity, with an Android release expected first and an iPhone version to follow after certification.
This expansion reflects a broader effort by established motorcycle makers to attract newer riders with smaller-displacement, feature-rich models. Spain’s electric SUV market shows a similar push toward more accessible vehicles, including the BYD Atto 2’s entry into Spain.
Bimota has long been associated with large-displacement superbikes and limited production runs. The KB399 brings that identity to a wider audience, pairing Italian styling and premium hardware with a 399cc platform and an A2-oriented configuration.
