Tamburini T12 Massimo Heads Into Production

The name Massimo Tamburini should sound familiar to true-blue biking enthusiasts. If you aren’t one, then let’s just say he was the best motorcycle designer in the world. Period. Often referred to as the ‘Michelangelo of motorcycle designing’, Tamburini is most renowned for creating two of the most beautiful bikes ever built - the Ducati 916 and the MV Agusta F4. Although Tamburini’s work has always set a benchmark in the motorcycle industry, he was often restricted by regulations and guidelines. At least until his twilight years, that is. Two years before he was diagnosed with cancer, Tamburini threw out the rules books and designed the truly bonkers concept bike - the T12 Massimo - that you see here. 

After Tamburini’s death, his son Andrea took over the project and unveiled a prototype of the T12 back in 2016. Recently, he announced that the bike will indeed enter production. However, only a dozen of these track-only motorcycles will ever be built and each one will cost a staggering $1 million (Rs 6.6 crore), making it one of the most expensive motorcycles ever. But one can never put a price on art or history, right?

The design of the track-only motorcycle is reminiscent of the MV Agusta F4, especially the sharp lines and the sleek tail. The headstock and the single-sided swingarm are made out of magnesium. A healthy dose of carbon fibre and a titanium exhaust from Arrow help the bike weigh just 150kg (dry).

The T12 Massimo is built around the BMW S1000RR’s engine, which has been tuned to WSBK-spec. The result - a whopping (claimed) power output of 230PS! The motorcycle sits on a patented bespoke trellis chassis that helps maintain the structural rigidity of the frame. According to the company, the T12 gets adjustable steering axis rake, trail and triple-clamp offsets. Other highlights include top-of-the-line components such as the MotoGP-spec Ohlins suspensions on both ends and top-shelf Brembo radial-mount callipers, rotors and master cylinders with quick-release lines by Staubli.

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The T12 also gets Motec engine management and a BMW S1000RR HP4 Race inspired instrument cluster. Being a bike designed to be used on racetracks, its magnesium forged Robert Marchesini rims come wrapped in Pirelli racing slicks.

With all the top-shelf goodies you could ever think of and Tamburini's name attached to it, the T12 Massimo’s asking price of a million dollars doesn't look too outlandish now, does it?