Yesterday we showed you the mind-boggling Tamburini T12 Massimo superbike and today we're happy to be able to shed more light on this intriguing machine. As we reported already, the T12 is the last motorcycle designed by the legendary Massimo Tamburini, and the one project he worked on until the very last days of his life.
It feels truly glorious to see and hear Massimo's son tell the story of the T12, naming it the most extreme project his father ever created. In a way, the T12 will be remembered as the ultimate Tamburini sport bike, the crown jewel of a spectacular career that has also given us the MV Agusta F4, the Ducati 916, the Bimota machines, and many more.
The bike got the 12 moniker because Massimo started working on it in 2012. It appears that he also had a non-competition clause with MV Agusta which prevented him from showing the bike earlier. During these three years stipulated in the contract, Massimo Tamburini ruminated on all his past ideas and decided to design the consummate sports bike, one that defies racing class limitations and exudes the zero-compromise attitude that should characterize all similar machines. And this 230 hp BMW-powered beast is just the perfect proof!
Repeatability defines the true motorcycle creation
We were thrilled to learn that one of the noblest ideas of Massimo Tamburini regarding the process of creating a motorcycle is repeatability. Namely, the capability of a bike builder to deliver a design so well put together that once the working prototype is ready, a factory could start production of the machine right away.
Unfortunately, Tamburini died before seeing his amazing creation reach a complete physical form, but Modena-based company CPC and his family carried out the project and built two prototypes.
The entire bike was created around the tuned BMW S1000RR engine, but Massimo was not willing to make compromises. The result is a machine that's more compact and lighter than anything else. Speaking of weight, the dry T12 tips the scale at 154.5 kg (341 lb), while having it in running order minus the fuel, it still taps the MotoGP territory, weighing less than 160 kg (353 lb).
Faithful to his creator's ideals, the makers of the Tamburini T12 left the bike exhibit the cold, sober sheen of the carbon fairing. Tamburini himself strongly believed that an authentic high-end sports machine must proudly display the nature of the materials it is made of and not taint this beauty with colors.
The variable architecture puts it even more in line with the MotoGP machines
As for other tech trivia, Tamburini's son also reveals that the T12 has a variable architecture with micrometric adjustability thanks to the smart front and rear suspension designed by Massimo. This allows mechanics to alter the frame's shape to tailor its response according to a rider's style, not unlike MotoGP or World Superbike machines are being set up for a race.
Finally, the most intriguing declaration set us on fire, as Mr. Tamburini unveiled that T12 production could start anytime if there are customers willing to pay for this bike. This means we now have excellent odds to see people ordering the bike, the most extreme and advanced motorcycle designed by Massimo Tamburini.
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