Superleggera And Hyper Tech

Blog Date - 14 November 2016

Ducati has just released its all singing all dancing 1299 Superleggera. For the low low price of over £70,000 you too can own a piece of carbon fibre computer controlled cutting edge super lightweight razor sharp exotically materialed hyper motorcycle machinery. Don't tell me you don't salivate at the thought of multiple setting traction control? You're not excited about anti-wheelie adjustment? The thought of a seriously over-over-over square 116 x 60.8 mm bore and stroke doesn't make you shiver with antici...........pation? Isn't 215bhp from a V-Twin just not enough to make you reach for your wallet?

The idea of spending what amounts to about the same value as my 2-up-2-down mid terraced "character cottage" (marketing speak for run down draughty outdated hovel) on a motorcycle seems insane! Then again why a pile of old bricks and some dodgy wiring is worth this much also escapes me. I digress. When you can buy a perfectly serviceable bike that will exceed double the legal speed limit for under £7,000 why would you want a Superleggera? We poor folks see 70k as an inordinate amount of money but to some it is but a mere drop in the ocean. Admittedly Ducati are only making 500 of these bikes AND they have already sold out apparently. Makes me think Ducati really ought to make 500 more - durgh. 

I mean really...who has got a socket big enough to undo that wheel nut? And no centre stand!

C'est la vie. I'm trying (desperately) to see some advantage of this motorcycle for people like myself. I doubt I'd ever buy one even if I won the lottery (I'd have to buy a ticket first). I guess what a motorcycle like this does is act as a demonstration of what is currently possible and what things will be available on considerably cheaper bikes in the future.

Once upon a time motorcycle brakes were drum brakes front and rear. Then cutting edge and presumably expensive bikes started to come with disc brakes until such times as today where even the cheapest Chinese models have a disc at the front at least. Points were once the method of timing a spark for the engine, these were superseded by CDI units and now digital ignition systems. ABS was once only for Formula 1 cars and Grand Prix bikes, soon they will be a legal requirement on all but 125cc machines presently being sold. 

Even my CBF 125 has a disc up front - no ABS yet though.

We're already seeing high end sports bikes fitted with traction control and anti-wheelie, I wonder when the first 125s with TCS-AW will be released? The Superleggera has a carbon fibre chassis, how long before we see the new CB500X-Carbon? 

In my world I hope that carbon fibre makes motorcycles lighter and therefore more efficient as opposed to faster. In my world I hope that titanium valves will equate to better reliability and longevity rather than higher engine revolutions. In my world I hope small light lithium-ion batteries and LED lights will mean under-stressed charging systems that don't fry themselves. My hope is that computerised traction control will make riding through winter a little safer. I suspect I may be a little disappointed but I can hope. 

In the meantime if you have 70,000 pounds sterling burning a hole in your pocket DO NOT buy a Ducati Superleggera. Instead buy me a small workshop and/or garage then sponsor me on a world tour on my CBF 125. I promise I'll share my happiness with you and that warm feeling will be much nicer than having a 70k garage ornament that you can only use on dry racetracks. 

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