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By Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
It has been dubbed the "next great leap" by European bike magazines. Others have called it the "wave of the future".
After Ducati's 1199 Panigale superbike launch on Friday at Avalon, it is not hard to see why such compliments accompany it.
On paper, the superbike will be a tough act to follow.
Underneath the bodywork, you will notice there is no frame, unlike conventional motorcycles.
The whole bike is built around the engine - its sub-frame, swingarm and die-cast aluminium monocoque which cleverly acts as an airbox and steering head, are bolted to the 1198cc engine.
Without a frame, the twin-cylinder Panigale is lighter than other bikes in the same class.
Weighing less means the Panigale could be an agile weapon of choice on the circuit.
Radical and bold design?
Sure, why not.
No Frame
But the idea of going "frameless" is not unique if you regard similar attempts by Britten in the 1990s with its hand-built V1000 or the 1948 Vincent Black Shadow.
What makes Ducati's attempt a feat is that it is making the technology - usually found on prototype motorbikes - available to the masses.
In this world of extreme litre bikes, also known as the 1,000cc class, you have to be cut-throat and innovative to stay ahead of the competition.
When Yamaha introduced its first variant of the R1 in the late 1990s, the world's press went gaga over the 1,000cc superbike.
It was light years ahead in terms of design, horsepower and performance.
Fast forward to today, the bar continues to be raised.
Superbikes will get lighter and smarter.
In the last two years, the title of top dog must surely fall onto BMW's S1000RR.
Handsome and smart - its electronics can detect if your rear or front wheels are about to slip or rise - the inline four-cylinder BMW became the envy of its rivals who struggled to keep up. Until now of course.
 
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