One horsepower per kilogram: it's the kind of power-to-weight ratio you only see in the world's most exclusive
multi-million dollar hypercars. But at 231 hp and 152 kg (335 lb), the Ducati Superleggera V4 absolutely obliterates that figure, making 1.54 hp/kg.
This, mind you, is with a fancy racing kit and its titanium Akrapovic exhaust fitted. Out of the box (although the racing kit does come in the box), you'll have to make do with a paltry 221 fully road-legal horsepower and a positively corpulent 159 kg (351 lb). Thumbing through the regulations for World Superbike production-based racing, it appears the rules require WSBK bikes to weigh at least 168 kg (370 lb). So there's a genuine chance this one might not stick to the ground, and could float you away over the treetops.
Superleggera is Italian for "Reallylight," and Ducati has
used this designation before for special-edition superbikes that are tuned to the eyeballs and shaved to the last gram for weight savings. This new V4 would instantly become the #1 machine kids would pin up on their bedroom walls, if touchscreens hadn't been invented and kids gave a single, solitary toss about motorcycles any more.
newatlas.com
