Sometimes, you see a bike that just commands the entirety of your attention. Ducati just announced such a motorcycle called the Formula 73. It’s a machine that pays homage to the legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo, the very first road-going bike to feature Ducati’s revolutionary Desmodromic valve system. That 750 Super Sport was based on the 750 Imola Desmo that Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari piloted to victory in the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola, a triumphant moment in Ducati’s racing legacy. This new bike perfectly captures the spirit of those legendary cafe racers while mixing in bits of modern performance, creating a bike that's about to rekindle the flames of a forgotten segment. Ducati Launches Formula 73 DucatiAt first glance, you might honestly think the Ducati Formula 73 is actually a vintage cafe racer. The team behind it went to great lengths to ensure it looked the part. From the silver and aqua green livery paired with a gold stripe to emulate a clever fuel-level checking system on the classic Imola Desmo, to the period-correct body lines, this is a throwback done right.The closer you look, the more details you’ll pick up that declare this bike is very much a modern machine. The heart of the Formula 73 is a powerful Desmodue 803-cc L- twin engine riding in a steel trellis frame. The electronic package offers riders amenities like cornering ABS, traction control, navigation, and two rider modes to dial the experience into your demands. Other big updates over its vintage counterpart include a KYB fork and shock, a 4.3-inch dashboard, and Brembo disc brakes. It’s also riding on Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires, which are a massive improvement over yesterday’s rubber. As for the hard numbers, the L-twin is capable of belting out 73 horsepower at 8,250 RPM, with a peak torque output of 65.2 nm, or roughly 48 lb-ft, at 7,000 RPM. With a wet weight of 183 kg, or 403 pounds, this thing's more than capable of making its ancestors proud. For reference, the 750 Super Sport this pays tribute to was delivering roughly the same power. A Limited-Run That’s Rich In Heritage DucatiOffering the same level of performance as the original with the benefit of modern tech makes for what may very well be one of the most well-balanced experiences riders could hope for. It’s certainly something many of us hope to see more of across all segments.Now for the bad news for most of us. Ducati is limiting production to just 873 units. That means very few riders will get to experience this legendary machine for themselves. That said, we have no doubts these future classics will sell out shortly after they hit European dealers this spring.