Video: Ducati 1199 Panigale vs BMW S1000RR and Aprilia RSV4

It’s a sad fact for speed freaks that superbike sales have slipped in recent years, while things like naked and adventure bikes are on the up.

So can one of the most exciting, talked-about motorcycles this year – the Ducati Panigale – reignite our passion for all things very fast?

Ducati certainly hope so and have thrown the kitchen sink at the new flagship superbike.

It has the most powerful engine ever fitted to a Ducati road bike, it’s as light as a feather and packed with electronics and pre-set riding modes, which at a touch of a button give you differing levels of throttle response, power delivery, traction control, ABS, engine braking and with this S model, suspension settings, too.

Find out how it got on against its European rivals in the video below