2020 Ducati Superleggera First Ride Review
Disrupting the space/time continuum for only $100,000
Review: Troy Siahaan July 25, 2020 | Photos by: Ducati, Kevin Wing | Video by: Ducati, Sean Matic
As the world is flying past at a rapid pace, it’s all I can do to mentally process the rate of acceleration and the sheer speed of the Ducati Superleggera V4. When all 234 horses are unleashed from the mighty Desmosedici Stradale R, forget turn one – all of these thoroughbreds are hell-bent on launching me to the future, completely bending my perceptions of time, speed, and reality. I’m Captain Picard to the Superleggera’s Starship Enterprise, warp drive has just been engaged, and we’re about to leave behind streaks of starlight as we blast off. Doing it again and again is intoxicating, it’s breathtaking, and it’s simply incredible. This is what it’s like when Ducati engineers are allowed to let their imaginations run free and build the baddest machine they can. God bless ’em.
The Superleggera V4, of course, is the pinnacle of Ducati road bike engineering, as it represents the most powerful, fastest, and most advanced Ducati production bike ever. But this isn’t the first time Ducati has built a superleggera – or “super light” in Italian. The 1299 Superleggera represented the pinnacle of Ducati’s V-Twin. This time, we’re seeing the V4 platform freed to achieve its optimum potential, while still being legal to ride on the roads. And this lucky SOB was one of the select few invited to ride it.
But first, let’s put this bike into context. This is a motorcycle firmly placed in the most exclusive of categories. It makes 224 hp (at the crank) in standard trim and 234 hp if you add the Akrapovič race exhaust. Only 500 will be made, and here’s the kicker – each will cost $100,000. Yes, that’s one followed by five zeros.
Is this the epitome of excess? Some might say so. But if you’ve ever wondered what Ducati can do to a road bike if allowed to take off the kid gloves and go full-hog, wonder no more. The Ducati Superleggera V4 is the answer.
If you’re the type who can freely toss that kind of money around then the Superleggera could conceivably be considered a bargain, if exclusivity coupled with premium performance is your thing. Further sweetening the pot, Ducati is offering all Superleggera V4 customers the chance to give the World Superbike Panigale V4 a shot, with full support from Ducati Corse. For 30 extremely lucky Superleggera V4 customers with proper riding skills (yes, you will be vetted), this experience goes one further, with the chance to try Ducati’s MotoGP contender.