THE QUINTESSENCE

Quintessence—an object in its purest and most perfect form—is the term Ducati Motor Holding CEO Claudio Domenicali used to describe the 1299 Superleggera at the bike’s press unveiling. It’s an apt description. The bike, with a price tag of about $88,000, marks a turning point for the brand, a shift from being a motorcycle manufacturer to a facilitator of extreme experiences.

If one of the 500 Superleggeras isn’t enough by itself, consider this: Each purchase includes an invitation to a racetrack event where owners will not only get to ride the 1299 but also one of Ducati’s own factory MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship race bikes. The comparison will be interesting because the Superleggera is