At EICMA 2008 in Milan, Bimota unveiled the DB7, powered by the Ducati 1098 Testastretta Evoluzione–named 90° V-twin engine with four valves per cylinder. The V-twin is suspended in a composite frame made of oval steel tubing and CNC-machined aluminum sections, to which the self-supporting carbon-fiber rear subframe is also bolted. From 2010 onward, Bimota produced the DB7 in the special edition “Oro Nero” – Black Gold.

Compared with the conventional DB7, the Oro Nero replaces the steel tubes of the composite frame with a carbon-fiber structure made of oval tubes, which are bolted to the aluminum plates carried over from the DB7. The swingarm follows the same principle: steel tubes are replaced by carbon fiber and bolted to aluminum plates for the axle mounts and chain adjusters. The bearing seats and axle mounts are made of aluminum and laminated into the carbon structures. As a result, frame and swingarm reduce weight by seven kilograms while offering 30 percent higher stiffness. It is the first road-legal production motorcycle with a carbon frame and carbon swingarm, and another technological milestone from the small high-end manufacturer in Rimini.

The DB7 shown here is an absolute one-off. The Italian buyer was determined to own a DB7 Oro Nero, but without a carbon chassis. The reason for his lack of confidence in carbon suspension components was reportedly a failure of a carbon-fiber add-on part on one of his motorcycles (naturally not a Bimota). As a result, he had the motorcycle custom-built at the factory to his specifications as a special model with a steel frame and swingarm.

The DB7 has since been sold to Germany and is now part of a small collection alongside other Bimotas. Its current owner also gave it the name “Oro Carbonio”: “Oro” because of the gold-colored wheels, and “Carbonio” because of the still abundant carbon parts.