AS I write this, stinging sweat is running into my eyes.

Why? Because I've just finished thrashing Ducati's 1299 Panigale around the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

My arms ache, my pits stink and my legs are numb. But hey, that's what you get for spending the day piloting a 200bhp weapon around a MotoGP-spec racetrack.

In simple terms, the 1299 Panigale is a progression of the 1199 Panigale. That was a game-changing bike but had faults.

It wasn't road-rider friendly, it could be a bit of a handful and the mid-range power was lacking. So how, with a bigger engine (ten per cent more power and torque), is the 1299 more useable?

The increased power comes in the lower revs, so it gallops from the get-go, rather than snatching in part-way through the rev band. So less nasty surprises for the uninitiated.

It also boasts more electronic gizmos than Currys, all of them making the ridiculous amount of speed more controllable.

The Ohlins electronic suspension is working constantly to negate bumps and compression on the 1299 immensely confidence inspiring.

It feels difficult to lose control of, even though the moment you get on the gas after the apex it flies like a rocket ship.

And the ABS doesn't just work in a straight line, works when cornering too, which is very and potentially

Wheelie control and traction control are also there to keep you shiny-side up at all times. Despite being track-focused, it's a relatively comfortable ride.

I've done track days on other machines and ended up walking like John Wayne for the next few days.

The only real niggle I encountered was the quickshifter.

Towards the end of the sessions it seemed to stick, which once left me bouncing on the limiter on the back straight for a bit too long, to be passed by a lesser Suzuki GSX-R.

Such motorbiking perfection comes at a cost, unfortunately. The standard 1299 R is priced at £16,995.

That's a lot of scratch for a two-wheeled vehicle, and the 1299 S comes in at just over £20,000.

For that you get lighter wheels and the full electronics.

If you are serious about track riding, save for the S. But for most of us the R is all the bike we'll ever need.