Ducati 1199 Superleggera, the facts. With Video

According to Ducati the new Superleggera, of which only 500 will be made, produces the highest power to weight ratio in history for a production motorcycle. WOW, that's a big claim, and I am sure it will be true as Ducati wouldn't want a journo getting hold of one sometime soon and throwing it on the dyno.

Mind you, the chances of a journo getting hold of one and throwing it on the dyno are pretty slim, because as mentioned, only 500 are going to be manufactured and they are sold to a selected client base. So unless you received a shiny envelope in the post recently that came all the way from Italy, dry your eyes.

So about that power to weight ratio, well its claimed power output is 200hp and its WET weight is 177kg, that's about the same as a tea set, or your girlfriends handbag.

BMW R NineT full specs and pics

The R NineT was created to celebrate 90 years of BMW motorcycles. As a result it features an air-cooled boxer twin, a favored motor used by BMW in many of its successful models. Power output is around 110bhp and 119nm. 

2014 KTM 1290 Super Duke R official specs

KTM have finally unveiled the 1290 Super Duke R in its final production specification. Its been a long wait for motorcycle hoonigans.

The spec sheet reads as follows:

• 1,301cc 4 stroke v-twin
• 108 mm bore 71 mm stroke
• 180 bhp
• WP 48 mm upside down forks 
• WP rear shock
• Slipper clutch 
• Bosch combined ABS
• Traction control (same as 1190 adventure)
• Stability control (same as 1190 adventure)
• 189 kg dry weight 
• 18 liter fuel capacity 
• 835 mm seat height 
• Brembo brakes all round 
• 0-200km/h in 7.2 seconds

KTM have also equipped the 1290 Super Duke R with a supermoto mode which will disable the rear ABS allowing the rear tyre to slide under persuasion from the slipper clutch or if you just want to mash the rear brake whilst approaching a traffic light.

Below is a video of the 1290 Super Duke R supposedly 'racing' a BMW S1000RR HP4

I would go so far as to say that this must be the most entertaining motorcycle ever made, yes sure superbikes and supersports are fantastically quick, however for road riding they are not perfectly adequate. The 1290 Super Duke R though looks as if it serves up entertainment in abundance combined with a serious helping of horsepower. 

I have always maintained that the fastest way from point A to B in the real world is on a motard, and the most entertaining derivative has been the Super Duke. The new 1290 Super Duke R is a definite contender for most desirable motorcycle of 2013.