We’re absolutely blown away by the Diavel. It’s so light, fast and sophisticated, so good handling and fun, it completely turns on its head everything we thought so-called ‘cruisers were about until now. Or, to put it another way: the Diavel does to the cruiser bike class pretty much – if not more – what Ducati’s Multistrada did to the adventure bike class last year. It adds a degree of performance and sports ability to a class of bike where it simply didn’t exist before.
Engine
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Testastretta 11º engine is essentially identical to that of the Multistrada 1200. Different exhaust and airbox, however, liberates 12 extra bhp to produce a peak bhp of 162 enough for it to be quicker even than the 1198 0-100kph. Fuelling is and delivery is perfect, switchable riding modes (engine maps) allows a choice between Urban (100bhp), Touring (soft 162bhp) or Sports (sharp 162bhp) maps, making it not just fiendishly potent, but practical and versatile, too.
Ride and Handling
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We can’t quite get our heads around how Ducati has managed it, considering the Diavel’s long, low cruiser gait and fat back tyre, but this bike steers and sweeps and scratches and stops almost – almost – as good as a super naked. It’s that good. It steers perfectly neutrally and holds its line without complaint or (amazingly) decking out – and boy we tried. Its ride is smooth and controlled, the suspension exuding strength and quality. And the brakes are simply awesome. Sports bikes WILL be humbled by the Diavel.
Equipment
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Tons of high tech as standard, including ABS, DTC (traction control) the riding modes system, TFT instruments, top spec brakes, not to mention a ‘car-style’ keyless ignition, novel LED head, tail and ‘strip’ indicator lights, footpegs with detachable rubbers, billet mirrors and a large diameter exhaust which includes not one but two lambda sensors, a catalytric converter and an power valve. High tech? The Diavel’s certainly got it…
Quality and Reliability
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Too early to pronounce on reliability, although recent Ducatis are generally much improved with extended 15,000-mile service intervals, but quality certainly impresses: all the wiring and hosing is neatly hidden away; the raised badging is mouthwateringly tactile; all the surfaces are either glossy paint, saucy carbon fibre or mouthwateringly milled aluminium; the fold-away pillion pegs and retractable grab handle are exquisite, I could go on…
Value
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£13,000 for the standard version is a lot of money in anyone’s book, with the carbon versions substantially more, but we think it’s still good value, especially compared to competition such as Yamaha’s (currently £22K) VMax and Harley’s
£14K VRod Muscle. You get an awful lot of tech, quality and style from Ducati and, best of all, performance that simply blows away anything else in the class.
£14K VRod Muscle. You get an awful lot of tech, quality and style from Ducati and, best of all, performance that simply blows away anything else in the class.
Insurance
Insurance group: 17
Model History
2011: Diavel launched
Other Versions
Diavel Carbon: £15,495£2500 extra gets you carbon fibre body panels and mudguard in unpainted black plus a black nitride coating on the forks and forged Marchesini wheels with matching, machined disc carriers – all of which trims weight by 3kg (the wheels alone are 2.5kg lighter).
Diavel Carbon Red £15,895As the Carbon but (as tested here) with red paintjob. Carbon models will be available first, but all models are expected to be in dealers before the end of the month.
Diavel Carbon Red £15,895As the Carbon but (as tested here) with red paintjob. Carbon models will be available first, but all models are expected to be in dealers before the end of the month.
Specifications
| Top speed | mph |
|---|---|
| 1/4-mile acceleration | secs |
| Power | 162bhp |
| Torque | 94ftlb |
| Weight | 210kg |
| Seat height | 770mm |
| Fuel capacity | 17 litres |
| Average fuel consumption | mpg |
| Tank range | miles |
| Insurance group | 17 |
| Engine size | 1198cc |
|---|---|
| Engine specification | 8v liquid-cooled V-twin, 6 gears |
| Frame | Tubular steel trellis |
| Front suspension adjustment | Preload, compression and rebound |
| Rear suspension adjustment | Preload, compression and rebound |
| Front brakes | 2 x 320mm discs, Brembo 4-piston callipers, ABS |
| Rear brake | 265mm disc, twin-piston calliper, ABS |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 ZR 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 240/45 ZR 17 |
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