Audi->ke14 was out in full force at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show->ke228 and while the undoubted star of its booth was the new R8 supercar->ke177, eagle-eyed observers noted that there was another vehicle there that wasn’t getting as much attention as the new 2016 R8.

But no such thing happens here, which is why I’m devoting some space to give some love to the Audi Sport Racing Bike. Yep. Audi has a new bicycle->ke3798 in the fold, joining the likes of McLaren->ke284, Lamborghini->ke44, and Aston Martin->ke13 as automakers that have recently released their own bicycles.

The Audi Sport Racing Bike is a pretty special ride and I don’t throw that word around too often. It was built by the company in collaboration with CarbonSports, who as some of you may now, is the company that produces those cool Lightweight bikes.

If I’m going to give Audi any credit here, it’s because of the decision to enlist the help of CarbonSports to develop this bike. Not only does it look incredibly sexy, but it carries some materials that you normally would use in an R8. The inspiration is heavy on this one, indeed.

Take the bike’s frame and forks for example. They’re not just made from your run-of-the-mill aluminum; they’re actually made from T1000 carbon, the same material used in the cockpit of the R18 e-tron Quattro. The use of this unique carbon material resulted in the frame weighing just 790 grams. Do the math and that’s not even 1 kilo! Impressed now?

All in all, the Audi Sport Racing Bike weighs only 5.8 kilos, and that already includes a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and 3T finishing kit, a Selle Italia saddle dressed up in the same Fine Nappa leather used in the R8, and an individual limited edition badge.

Audi’s only selling 50 units of this special bike. Really, everything about it is special, including its astronomical price tag of €17,500, which is about $18,620 based on current exchange rates.

Click "continue reading" to read more about the Audi Sport Racing Bike.

Why it matters

I’ll be the first to admit that I was all-in on the Audi Sport Racing Bike. I really was. Then I heard its limited status and accompanying price tag and just like that, I was off the bandwagon.

Make no mistake: the Audi Sport Racing Bike looks like a dream. It really does. CarbonSports’ involvement in the development of the bike is another bonus. The use of high-quality materials like the T1000 carbon already gives the bike the kind of cache normal bikes can’t even begin to understand.

When you combine CarbonSports’ development ingenuity with Audi technology, this is what you get: a veritable, carbon fiber and fine leather-dressed Picasso on two wheels.

But boy, oh boy, is it expensive! At just under $20,000, this limited edition bike is actually more expensive than a fully loaded Suzuki Hayabusa! Is this bike the kind of purchase you want to make when you know that you can spend that money buying an actual superbike like the Hayabusa?

It’s an easy question for me. The question is: is it as easy to answer for you?