Even if the sum of your automotive knowledge barely extends beyond “right pedal go, left pedal stop,” you probably know that the Italians have a well-deserved reputation for building some of the fastest and most beautiful sportscars, grand tourers and exotics in the known universe. But while plenty of non-car geeks have heard of Ferrari and Lamborghini, not everyone is familiar with names of Italian superbike makers. And that’s just wrong, dang it.
Thus, as a public service of sorts, we’ve decided to acquaint you with ten of the most magnificent motorcycles ever to emerge from the Land Shaped Like a Boot. Some were built by companies with which some of you may be familiar; others are sure to make all but the most hardcore two-wheeler afficianados say, “Who?” Anyway, without further ado or any particular order, are 10 very bella bikes.
Ducati Streetfighter S
Although naked bikes (that is to say, motorcycles lacking aerodynamic fairings or most other bodywork) typically don’t look as colorful or purposeful as their enclosed counterparts, they aren’t necessarily slower. Perhaps the best recent example of this phenomena is Ducati’s aptly named Streetfighter S. Duc’s Desmodromic valve 1,098cc twin kicks out 155hp, while the low, agressively-raked chassis helps keep it planted in the turns. The “S” designation translates to some notable upgrades over the standard Streetfighter, including five pounds less dry
Aprilia RSV4 Factory
Aprilia’s first motorcycle was a 50cc runabout; its current range-topper, the RSV4 Factory, sits at pretty much the exact opposite end of the performance spectrum. It packs a howling mad 1,000cc 65° V4 producing 180hp at 12,500 rpm. But all that power is useless if it can’t be put to the pavement. Fortunately, the RSV4 Factory also has some neat adjustability tricks up its sleeves, ranging from the position and angle of the headstock, to the height of the swingarm pin, and even the height of the engine within the frame. If that sounds like racing bike stuff, that’s because it is, and it means you can fine tune the bike to fit you and your riding style. Control freaks rejoice!
MV Agusta F4CC
MV Agusta is one of the more exclusive motorcycle manufactuerers on the planet (Think of it as the Ferrari to Ducati’s Maserati), so when they release a limited edition model, you know it’s going to be rare, special and, oh yeah, pricey. Such was the case with the F4CC, the “CC” standing for the company’s once and future patron, Claudio Castiglioni, who originally envisioned this beast for himself. Castiglioni’s friend and master moto designer Massimo Tamburini translated his dream into neck-snapping reality. Only 100 of these black beauties were produced, and they retailed for an eyeball-ejecting $120,000 a pop. For that price you got a bored-out 1,078cc four banger generating 200hp, an electronically-limited top speed of 196 mph, carbon
Bimota Tesi 3D
One thing that’s pretty much guaranteed to make us dig a particular vehicle is a prominent design and/or engineering attribute which waves an upraised middle digit in the face of the accepted orthodoxy for that particular segment. Hence our love for old Saabs, Citroens and other cars which have their engines sitting “backwards” behind the transmission driving the front wheels. Specialty bike builder Bimota’s Tesi 3D brings its own recipie for quirky to the party in the form of a pullrod front suspension with the Bimota-developed Hub-Steering system. Of course, if that doesn’t get your attention, the kick from the 1,079cc Ducati twin certainly will.
Vyrus 985
Unfortunately for Bimota, they aren’t the only maker of motorcycles that have ditched the traditional front fork. Vyrus, another independent utilizing Ducati powerplants, uses a similar setup on its two current models. The brawnier of these, the 985, houses Duc’s 999cc eight-valve twin, which is good for 155hp and a top speed of 181 mph. Combine that with a dry weight of 346 lb. and you have a fast, nimble and unusual ride that’s sure to be a conversation starter, be it with your riding buddies or, um, the local constablry.
Ducati 1198 R Corse
Ducati has been a faithful standby for riders who want something more than just another Japanese crotch rocket for years now, and Bologna’s latest high performance flagship, the 1198 R Corse, is tasty even if you aren’t in the mood for Italian. Check it: The 1,198cc two-pot features two fuel injectors per cylinder, titanium valves and connecting rods and MotoGP-inspired eliptical throttlebodies and yields 180hp in street trim (186hp with the included race kit), an aluminum fuel tank, and a handsome Ducati Corse livery. Bellisima no matter how you slice it.
Ghezzi-Brian Furia S
One of the problems designers face when creating a naked bike is making their’s stand out from the herd since, by definition, you can’t wrap it with bodywork to help distinguish it. The 15-year-old firm Ghezzi-Brian has managed to differentiate its bikes by mounting their V-Twin engines longitudinally (as in the crank is parallel to the wheels). The Furia S utilizes this configuration, as well as a hand-welded aluminum gas tank and room for two (The lighter coloring of the rear cushion helps conceal it.), meaning performance and exclusivity don’t necessarily come at the expense of practicality.
MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR
Any vehicle with a name that translates to “brutal” should be badass, right? MV Agusta certainly agreed when developing its line of nakeds, and the newest member of the Brutale family, the 1090RR, drives the point home. The 1,078cc inline four churns out 144hp and sprints to 164.5 mph. However, with a dry weight of 419 lb., you need to be a brute yourself to extract its maximum potential. Motorcycle as an exercise machine? Sounds good to us.
NCR Macchia Nera
As Lotus founder Colin Chapman was fond of saying, “Adding power makes you faster on the straightaways. Removing weight makes you faster everywhere.” One has to assume the designers and engineers at NCR had a similar directive when designing the Macchia Nera (Italian for “black spot”). This moto is not only naked, but borderline anorexic, tipping the scales at a scant 297 lb. sans fluids. Yet it still features a 185hp 998cc Ducati twin. From what we can gather, no more than a couple have been built, so try to blink as little as possible; otherwise you might miss it.
Bimota DB7
As unusual as the Tesi 3D is, Bimota also knows a thing or two about building conventional superbikes. Their latest crack at it is the DB7, which makes use of a 1,099cc Ducati twin, a carbon fiber rear structure and bodywork, titanium muffler, and fully adjustable shocks front and rear. The result is 160hp, cat-like agility and, perhaps most alluring of all, minimal chances of seeing a twin of your bike parked at the roadside café. Not that spotting another one would be such a bad thing; just look at the gorgeous picture above, for cryin’ out loud.
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