Designer	Pier Luigi Marconi	First presentation	Milan 1989
Production period	1989 – 1990	Production numbers	60
Power	105 KW (143 PS)	Displacement	989 ccm
Topspeed	262 km/h	Weight	wet 216 kg dry 199 kg
Price	43.750 DM (1989)	Colours	red / silver
Technical basis	Yamaha FZR 1000

The YB 6 Tuatara is an exclusive special edition model that, at the time, was the most expensive and fastest production motorcycle, differing both visually and technically from the YB6. The engine, known from the YB 6, was upgraded with a Weber-Marelli system for ignition and fuel injection to optimize responsiveness and performance, delivering 143 hp in Bimota trim. The power-to-weight ratio was also improved, thanks in large part to the fairing and monocoque, which were not only given a new paint job but were also laminated with stronger and lighter carbon fiber instead of fiberglass.

Photos by Harald Thurner, Oberickelsheim, Germany

For the front Bimota used a 40 mm Marzocchi upside-down fork, adjustable for both compression and rebound damping, for the first time. The specialist press praised its improved responsiveness. In issue 05/1990, the German motorcycle magazine PS tested the Tuatara at Misano, the racetrack near Rimini, and described the ride on the „tuned YB 6“:

„The inline-four accelerates powerfully—it’s amazing how it pushes forward. But when the pale band on the display surpasses the 8000 mark, things get critical. The Tuatara gains so much speed that all I can do is hold on tight.“ The tires „allow for incredible lean angles. The chassis and brakes of the Tuatara perform excellently.“

In issue 17/1990, the German motorcycle magazine Motorrad published a test report on the Tuatara, including test rides at the Hockenheimring, where tire tests with supersport motorcycles were conducted simultaneously.

„From the Suzuki GSX-R 750/1000 and the Kawasaki ZXR 750 to the Yamaha FZR 1000—everything that could compete with the Bimota is here. But none can hold a candle to the outrageously expensive Tuatara. Ali Gräser, former Grand Prix rider, and Motorrad editor Axel Westphal are astonished at how fast the Bimota flies around the track—faster than any other. However, it’s not the power that secures its advantage, but rather its precise accuracy, surprising handling, and forgiving nature at the limit.“

As another technical highlight, Bimota equipped the Tuatara with a digital cockpit. Speed, total and trip mileage, fuel level, and water temperature were displayed numerically, while the revs were shown as a horizontal bar. However, readability—especially of the speed—was worse than with classic round instruments. As a result, the era of such displays quickly came to an end after the YB9 Bellaria, the Tesi 1D, and some YB4 models.