Ducati News Today

The Ducati Diavel information has been coming thick and fast over the last 24 hours. Today we give you the in depth analysis on the new model that represents a brave new direction for Ducati. If you want all the details, we have them for you!

Introduction

Ducati claim the Diavel is the new shape of power and style combining twin-cylinder heritage and Italian style with confidence to extend the boundaries of motorcycle design. We’re not so sure the boundaries are being that extended that much in actuality, but probably by enough to radically redefine the dynamic of what a power cruiser is. The power cruiser class represented by Harley’s V-Rod, Yamaha’s V-Max and Suzuki’s B-King all combine comfort with superlative straight line performance. Ducati claims to have added a healthy dose of sporting dynamics, primarily by controlling weight.

At just 456lb (207kg) for the slightly lighter Carbon model, the Ducati Diavel is at least a moderately obese male lighter than the competition. Put another way, you could likely ride the Diavel with your significant other as pillion and luggage for you both and the combined weight would still be less than the competition with a solo rider. Or put still another, this Ducati will perform like a V-Rod on steroids (the Harley would need 220bhp to match the power to weight ratio). The breathless in 2.5 seconds claim (referring to the 0-62mph dash) is likely correct and that makes the Diavel crazy fast off the line.

Although Ducati has tried hard to instill its performance first ethos into the Diavel there are still plays to style. Ever since the 999 disaster, the company has been careful to ensure that styling touches that are critical remain even if they are not the most technically sound option (think the return of the single sided swing-arm on the 1098). For the Diavel the styling play is the massive custom 240mm rear wheel mounted on an 8″ rim. Ducati counters the obvious physical limitations with a specially designed Pirelli tire.

Design & Styling

The Diavel has very clean styling enhanced by a number of clever solutions for things such as grab rails, pillion pegs, indicators and tag (number pate) mounting hardware. This results in the production model being able to look like a show bike without any obvious street mandated accoutrements beyond mirrors. The headlight cowl shape certainly strikes us as having a locomotive inspiration which was of course a major influence in Pierre Terblanche’s 999. In Ducati’s own flowery words:-

“The challenge of building a muscular silhouette over a pure-bred competition motor had to be met with determination and a delicate touch, and the result is a frontal area that looks like a power athlete on the starting blocks,” explains the team at Ducati Design responsible for the project. “With the front wheel kept close to the Diavel’s body and using the short tail of a sport bike, we were able to blend this muscular design with a chassis that matched. If the stance of a Streetfigher is that of “anger,” the stance of the Diavel is that of readiness, dominance, and confidence bordering on superiority.”

The vertically challenged have always had, well a challenge, in mastering a Ducati at slow speeds. No more with the Diavel which has the lowest seat height in the range at 770mm (30.3″). The low slung chassis combined with a weight of no more than 210kg (463lb) should make it very manageable for shorter riders. This should make the Multistrada 1200 feel like a sportbike when it comes to the comfort stakes.

Pillions are well taken care of too. The rear seat cowel comes away to provide accommodations and a T-bar shaped grab rail slides to allow the passenger to hold on. This is matched with clever fold down pillion pegs.

The Diavel uses two clear vertical strips of LED lighting to provide tail and brake light illumination as well as directional indicators. The strips follow the precise line of the under-seat panelling, providing great visibility of the rear-end while keeping the external lines of the bike clean. The front directional indicators are clear lens LED strips mounted vertically down the leading edge of the lateral radiator covers.

Performance and Technology

The heart of the Diavel is in fact the Testastretta 11º powerplant first seen in the Multistrada 1200. Lke in the Multi, the 11º refers to the degree of valve overlap. The Superbikes run 41º for greater top end performance whereas the reduction to just 11º of overlap makes for a stronger bottom end and mid-range. Peak power is 162bhp for the Diavel along with 94lb-ft (127.5Nm) of torque. Like the multi, the clutch is wet and has a slipper function. The greater power over the 150bhp multi is likely due to the different intake and exhaust systems. The Diavel features 58mm headers and large, and functional air intakes along each side of the 17l (4.5 US gallon) tank. The engine is cooled via twin lateral radiators positioned on either side of the bike.

In keeping with recent models and the current industry trend the Diavel drips with electronics. Bosch ABS is included standard in the full model range. All models also have hands-free ignition actuated by an electronic key you can keep in your pocket, ride by wire throttle with traction control and 3 riding modes – Sport, Touring and Urban. Sport is the full monty, Touring has the same peak power but with softer mapping and Urban restricts output to 100bhp.

Instrumentation is all digital with an upper LCD display on a bar riser and a lower, tank mounted display. The lower, full colour Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display is styled into the fuel tank and provides an incredibly clear account of current Riding Mode, gear selection and DTC setting as well as total mileage and trips. The Diavel’s TFT display senses the surrounding light to decide upon a black or white background colour for maximum visibility. When stationary, the lower display also doubles as the latest user-friendly control panel to personalise DTC and Ride by Wire settings within each Riding Mode before saving.

Frame and Suspension

The signature Ducati trellis is in evidence along with two lateral die-cast aluminium sections that flow into the rear subframe. A die-cast aluminium, single-sided swingarm is specified for a long, Bevel style wheelbase of 1590mm (62.6in) with ground clearance that provides lean angles of up to 41°.

The Diavel uses black-bodied 50mm Marzocchi front forks, fully adjustable for spring pre-load, compression and rebound damping. The forks are gripped by a slash-cut triple-clamp – cast aluminium for the lower and forged for the upper with a rubber-mounted riser to tapered alloy bars. Rake and trail are 28º and 130mm (5.12in) respectively. The Diavel Carbon uses the same suspension as the Diavel, but with fork sliders black-finished in super low-friction diamond-like carbon (DLC). Both versions of the Diavel have a Sachs rear suspension unit slung low under the chassis in a horizontal position, operated by a progressive pull-rod linkage from the swingarm. The shock is adjustable for compression and rebound damping, the unit uses a handy control for easy spring pre-load adjustment.

Ducati partnered with Pirelli for the special Diablo Rosso II tires. The front is a standard spec 120/70-17 whereas the 240/45 – 17 rear represents an attempt to combine custom width with a sport oriented profile. The rear features two different compounds combined with something labelled Enhanced Patch Technology, whatever that is! Only time will tell how it all comes together but Ducati’s own action shots show a rider really hanging off and muscling the bike with a boot close to touching the ground!

Models

The base Diavel comes in traditional Ducati red with red frame and black wheels or a pearl white silk and metallic black scheme with black frame and black wheels.

The Diavel Carbon will be available in “red carbon” (gloss red over matte carbon) with red frame or “black carbon” (both gloss and matte black carbon weave) with black frame. Carbon fibre is used for the tank panels, single-seat cover and front mudguard whilst a low friction diamond-like carbon finish differentiates the Marzocchi fork sliders.

It seems like Ducati struggled to work out what to put on the ‘S’ model since the forged 9 spoke Marchesini 5.5lb (2.5kg) unsprung weight saving seems like a dubious benefit in this sort of application. The wheels, which are finished in black, are machine-turned and milled for maximum weight reduction and intricately engineered decoration. The black disc carriers undergo a similar milling process to enhance the recess around the weight saving cut-outs, the natural aluminium colour contrasting effectively against the original black carrier.

Pricing

Pricing hasn’t yet been announced in the USA, but UK pricing appears to be be £12,995 for the base model and £15,495 for the Carbon Black model. The Carbon Red is a little more expensive at £15,895. This pricing seems consistent with what we are hearing, namely $16,995 for the base and $19,995 for the Carbon model (perhaps $20,495 for the Red).

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