Review by Michel Levy
The Lamborghini Motorbike was designed in 1984-85 as a result
of a close collaboration between Lamborghini and the French
leading-edge racing bike constructor Boxer-Bike.
Boxer Bike has been famous since the seventies for their sophisticated
racing bikes: hand-built in Toulouse (the French Aircraft and
Aerospace Valley) with extensive use of aerospace-technology,
ultra lightweight frames theses motorbikes offered the highest
performance.
In 1986, in search of expansion and diversity, Lamborghini decided
that a motorbike would bear their name. Boxer was the only partner
capable of building the ambitious, ultra-expensive Lamborghini
Design 90, powered by a state-of-the-art, 4-cam, 4 valve per
cylinder straight-4 Kawasaki engine.
The price was twice as high as the most famous high-end motorbike
of the period. This outrageous price factor, in addition to
the extremely limited series - Lamborghini announced that 20
to 25 would be built, but only a handful were actually completed
- contributed to establish the myth of the Lamborghini bike.
Chief Engineer for this bike was Claude Fior, famous for his
unique high-tech racing bikes. Fior unfortunately died young
a few years ago in aircraft accident.
With an estimated 130 HP for 170 kg, and with its radical shapes,
this bike was a dream for millions of enthusiasts. Five to possibly
six of these exclusive motorbikes were ever built with the complete
fiberglass dramatically aerodynamic bodywork, inspired by the
world-famous "25th Anniversary" Countach. One is still owned
by one of the founders of Boxer-Bikes.
The market value of theses bikes, in perfect order, are estimated
between $50,000 and $70,000 USD (£30,000 - £40,000).
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