1997 Bimota YB9 SRI

1997 Bimota YB9 SRI sits in the small Rimini firm's supersport range as its 600cc entry, built around a Yamaha-sourced inline-four wrapped in a chassis that owes nothing to Japan. This is a bike engineered for corner speed rather than straight-line bragging rights, with a trellis frame and geometry tuned to change direction with little effort. The fuel injection setup was still a relative novelty in this class at the time, giving throttle response that feels sharper and more immediate than the carbureted 600s most riders were used to. It rewards a rider who wants to work the bike through a set of switchbacks, not one looking for a comfortable commuter. The 1997 model carried over without significant mechanical changes from the prior year, buyers comparing it to a 1996 example should focus on mileage, service history, and condition rather than spec differences. Production numbers were always limited, so parts and specialist knowledge matter more than with mainstream sportbikes. Owners tend to be experienced riders or collectors already familiar with Ducati or Yamaha platforms, drawn to the YB9 SRI's rarity and hand-built character rather than outright performance. Collector interest sits at a moderate level, with values holding steady rather than spiking.