I like to imagine that bikes like this are the product of alcohol-fuelled madness in a loud pub on a Friday night. On paper, machines such as this Superleggera simply shouldn’t exist because they are nothing short of ludicrous – but thank god they do. Ducati has never been shy about coming forward or making a statement, for that matter… which this very much is. While some brands are hung up on the finish of their bike’s new LED lighting, the guys from Bologna obviously have very different thoughts, not least of all what could be achieved if money were no object and performance was the one and only thing that mattered. Well, the result is this…
As already mentioned, this machine is dripping in innovation, precious metals and impressive figures, such as its 215bhp output and wet weight of 167 kilos. You don’t see figures like that every day – at least, you don’t outside the racetrack. In essence, this is very much a racing inclined motorcycle, albeit ironically it’s not eligible for most classes of racing (because of price or materials used), which is why it’s never been raced in the kind of championships where you’d expect to see it. If it had, I dare say it would’ve more than held its own. The truth is that the 1299 Superleggera was pretty much a last hurrah for Ducati and its beloved V-twin.
Yes, there was actually the slightly more affordable 1299 Final Edition that hit the market after this, but as sexy as that bike is, it’s not a scratch on this thing. Consider this as something to the bike world that a Lamborghini Aventador or Buggati Veyron is to the car world; out of reach for most, but the kind of thing we dream of. Or, at least, I do. And I say that by acknowledging that perhaps the best thing about this machine is its looks. Riding one of these isn’t easy, which I’ll get round to, but looking at one in the flesh is the easiest way imaginable to waste an afternoon. This is my mate Alan’s bike, and despite owning it from new, it’s clocked about 700 miles in that time. It’s impeccable, drool-worthy, and assured to grab attention as much as Big Mac would for walking down the street in his undercrackers (again)… albeit for very different reasons.