The 234-HP Ducati Superleggera V4 Is Two Wheels of Carbon-Fiber Insanity

Having 234 hp in a small car can feel like a lot. In a bike, it's wild. In a carbon-fiber bike that weighs only 350 pounds, it sounds insane. Yet, that's what Ducati is promising with its new Superleggera V4.

That's thanks to liberal use of carbon fiber, from the frame to the wheels. In fact, per Ducati, it's the first road bike in the world to feature an entire load-bearing structure made out of carbon fiber. That makes it about 35 pounds lighter than the Ducati Panigale V4 on which its based, already a trim bike.

You also get nine more horsepower than a Panigale V4. That—combined with the weight loss—makes the Superleggera the road bike with the highest power-to-weight ratio in the world. To cope with the power, the V4 comes with a lightweight Öhlins suspension system. Brakes are from Brembo, with calipers unique to the Superleggera. Riding modes are not for the faint of heart: Race A, Race B, and Sport. The "comfort" setting is, well, taking one of your other bikes out.

Pricing hasn't been announced, but even the base Panigale V4 starts above $20,000. Don't expect all of this carbon and firepower to come cheap. Deliveries start in June, but you'll need to reserve early if you want to secure one of the 500 Ducati plans to build.