We’ve got a major surprise this week, with Italdesign revisiting its controversial Ducati 860 for an electrifying update. Elsewhere in Europe, Honda has sanctioned two new custom projects?a pair of Rebels from FCR, and a reworked CB1000R from 5Four.

Ducati 860-E by ItalDesign The Ducati 860 is one those older bikes that looks (slightly) better as the years go by. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign, the angles have improved with age?but it?s not a looker on the scale of the original 750 Super Sport, for example.

Almost half a century later, though, the 860?s time may have come. Italdesign have just released a video clip with the blurb, ?Do you remember the Ducati 860 we had the chance to design back in the 70s" It was so futuristic it was probably way too ahead of its time. That?s why today, almost 50 years later, we asked our designers to re-imagine this model.? The Ducati 860-E concept is electric, and stays pretty close to the lines of its forefather. The panel under the ?tank? continues under the saddle, with extra bodywork (with cooling vents) extending down low, to cover the electric motor.

It?s a good looking bike, with cues from both retro ICE and modern EV machinery, and proves the point that good design as about timing as much as anything.
Unfortunately, there are no production plans for this model. It was not commissioned by Ducati, and Italdesign themselves state that it?s ?a mere exercise in style.? Still, you can bet the folks at Duc...