Ducati's original Diavel was a prosperous oddity - a future-cruiser physique with all the heart of a superbike. It handled effectively and went rapid, even if it created my butt go to sleep. Nevertheless it did not quite nail that relaxed cruiser really feel, because it normally, usually wanted to go more rapidly. This year, Ducati is kicking back a gear with the XDiavel, unveiled these days at EICMA Milan, which utilizes a stroked-out engine to place the torque reduced in the rev variety, and provides a accurate feet-forward cruiser riding position, while pulling all the silly plastic off the sides for a a great deal cleaner, sweeter look.
Ducati XDiavel S: daytime driving light Ducati XDiavel S: machined highlights around the engine and rear wheel set the appear off nicely Ducati XDiavel S: distinguished by glossy black paint Ducati XDiavel: regular model with matt black paint
To everyone else, the Diavel was Ducati's cruiser. Not to Ducati, evidently. The Italian business unveiled the XDiavel right now at EICMA, calling it the brand's first cruiser and shifting the Diavel to "sport cruiser" status. Righty-o then.
The XDiavel borrows a lot from the base Diavel, but it really is by no implies the identical bike. The engine has been stroked out to 1262cc from the Diavel's 1198cc, in search of a broader torque spread. So while the common Diavel hits peak torque at eight,000 rpm, the XDiavel hits its stride at 5,000 rpm, putting out 95 ft-lb (129 Nm). Peak horsepower is down from 162 (121 kW) to 156 (116 kW).
That ought to tell us all we need to have to know regarding the engine. Exactly where the preceding Diavel's superbike heritage gave it a rev-hungry feel that didn't fairly jive with all the riding position, the XDiavel aims for any far more relaxed ride that'll nonetheless open up to get a ton of top-end horsepower if you want it to.
The styling looks wonderful, pulling all those naff chunky futuristic components from the front and sides from the Diavel to reveal its Monster-iffic trellis frame and super-flat headlight. The neat tail and twin split dash are similar to the Diavel, but the twin fat shorty pipes do a a great deal better job of acquiring out from the way of that amazing 240-section rear wheel on its single-sided swingarm - even when you shed the classic pretty bent pipes on the Diavel's exhaust.
Ducati felt it wouldn't be a cruiser with out a belt drive, so it fitted certainly one of these as an alternative to the chain. Fair enough. It really is also got a far more cruisy ride position - properly, 60 ride positions to be precise, since there's 4 different footrest positions, 5 diverse seats and three distinct handlebars to select from to suit the looks and ergonomics of every single rider. Either way, it's a far more foot-forward, danglies-to-the-wind position than the Diavel, which does start seeking far more like a musclebike dragster in comparison.
The XDiavel gets a complete electronics suite to manage its considerable functionality capabilities, with an Inertial Measurement Unit feeding info for the traction handle and Cornering ABS systems. There is riding modes and cruise control, as well as a launch manage system in the event you require your pants scared off anytime.
An S version is also around the way, distinguished by glossy black paint as an alternative to matte, as well as a daytime operating light, DLC-coated forks, bigger Brembo M50 brake calipers and machine-finished highlighting on some of the metal bits. No Ohlins, then? Fair enough, it's a cruiser I suppose.
It might not have the baked-in appeal of a Harley or Victory cruiser, but the XDiavel certain is one fine-lookin' bike, and it's got the performance credentials to wipe the floor with even by far the most Screamin' Eagled-up Fat Boy. Needless to say, the important efficiency indicator is going to become how it sells in the American market, and that'll be very exciting to find out!
