As we reported yesterday, Bimota is synonymous with large capacity sportbikes but has since launched the KB399 small capacity sportbike. But that is not all, as the company, now under the Kawasaki umbrella, had also launched the Bimota BX450 enduro bike. It marks the boutique brand’s first foray into the off-road market. Just like the KB399, the BX450 is based on a Kawasaki – the KX450X, in this instance. As such, the single-cylinder engine and frame are the same on both the BX and KX but that is as far as it gets. The BX450 uses an Athena GET ECU with a fuel injection mapping designed specifically for the Bimota. The ECU allows for two power maps, besides 10 levels of traction control settings. There is also launch control, selectable via a button on the handlebar. Spent gasses exit through an Akrapovic titanium exhaust silencer. There is also a smaller auxiliary fuel tank. Finally, the package is topped off with Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme Supersoft tyres. The company is also offering additional accessories that will allow it to compete in the Italian Motorally and Raid TT series within the national championship. “For us, racing isn’t a category but it’s our essence,” said Pierluigi Marconi, COO of Bimota. “When we look at our enduro bike we don’t see something completely new, we see a new challenge. Entering the world of enduro wasn’t a strategy for us, it was simply following our DNA.” The Bimota BX450 will be available in the UK from early May with prices starting at £10,599 (RM56,054.22).