Ducati Diavel

I gotta say, following on from a generic theme of 'don't fancy yours much' when it comes to prototype spy shots, and then having my head turned once it's got it's lippy on - the new Ducati Diavel (Bologna dialect for 'Devil') really does look rather good in the flesh, of the first official pictures.

The muscle cruiser looks now seem more polished with a lick of paint. There's some really nice detail touches, like the upper curve edges of the tank which seem to stand proud in a line fro front to rear. The vertical line stop and indicator lenses look better on the ducktail, and the wide rear tyre seems to suit the styling over function imposing presence.

That tyre, and the longer wheelbase, not to mention a dozen extra kilos or so over the Multi, will naturally affect dynamic ability, particularly the wrong side of a ton. However, over here in the land of sunshine and pose, the drag-strip cruiser looks outweigh any R1 annoying abilities.

The overpriced and undersold VMax may have a model specific heritage, but at the end of the day it's still a Japanese four. Harley's have brand heritage, but they are heavy and there's much to clean, even if it rarely rains in the south here, and salt is reserved for cajun shrimps. The Ducati has brand coolness second to none, little to clean and surely su ffice performance form the MTS derived 11 degree testastretta L-twin. If they down gear it to 130 terminal speed, lob a tad off the bhp in favour of even more torque, and keep the DTC, then it will be a very credible 0-60 and midrange crushing heavy presence cruiser.

Not everyone, or maybe very many, will want that. But those who like the idea of a power cruiser, but find Harley's and Victory's too antique. And Vmax's and Stars, too Japanese. And Rockets too heavy and imitation. Then for those, I think it could be just what they've been waiting for. And perhaps the fewer Ducati sell, the more exclusive that will make it feel, and the happier those owners will be? I don't know? But I do know that I'm strangely drawn to it. And that means it probably makes the short list for now.

Sorry Rob O didn't answer your question. Official unveiling is at the start of Nov, but it's already in the news section of the official Ducati web site, so expect an EOY journo launch. And spring for availability.

The Diavel's natural competitors are the Vmax, VRod Muscle, Victory Hammer and Rocket 3. It will be much faster and more dynamic than the Hammer. It will have far less weight and a much kinder gearbox than the R3. And it will be far cooler with the Ducatisti beautiful people than the VRod is with the Hogniscenti. Just add full Termi and Chilean coal-minor Oakley's, then bathe in the admiring glances as you haul away from Starbucks...

What they said... :-D

Same pic as first link in thread! :-D

The red and carbon compliments each other really well. I like the front to back ridge on each side and the embossed Ducati logo of the tank. It is getting DTC and ABS, so expect a stock and bling S version, as per MTS. Ducati claim 456 lbs and based on proto spy shots the seat height won't be a problem for anyone.

The fat painted bars look nice and the rear hoop looks bigger than 200 to me, maybe 230 even. But unlike a small wheeled Hammer it doesn't look pancake flat, rather it has a decent profile, so will hopefully turn well enough.

I don't think the wheelbase would be a problem in the US but may need tempering on some of Blighties b-roads. Its adventure bike long, but not American cruiser long, would be my impression. And the name is naturally very cool.

It is definitely the sort of bike that is going to make its owner feel special each time they stroll up to it with key in hand. And for many that will be justification enough to buy into what will undoubtedly become a whole collection of Diavel logo'd Ducati-wear and trinkets. Its the Il Monstro for the tens...

No worries - like me, you've been off air a while, but its good to have you back!

I'm not really sure just how launch control will actually work, in the technical sense. I'd really like to see you write an article on that (apologies if Im too late) for airing in MCN (which I can no longer get - please ask The MCN Editor to sort an iPad download app, or subs via existing Zinio iPad app etc btw!) and reproduced on this site. It would be good to understand how launch differs from simple TC.

Also some tech stuff on the new ZX10s TC which seems even more techie than the gyro usage of the SRR. I'm a big fan of ever lightened and sophisticated forms of ABS and TC, even more so than power modes and lecky-suspenders, so the occaisonal geek in me wants to know all this stuff! Cheers for listening chap....

I spoke with a reputable dealer today and he claims it will come with ABS and DTC but not DES. He said the price for the bling version (read: red and carbon fibre adourned) is 'twenty three nine hundred' (US dollars, nb: MTS S is about 20k). Add state tax and OTR costs and you're probably looking at another seven percent (depending on state).

At the current exchange, that's abaht sixteen large of your queen's English. So definitely premium, as it's more than a Mutleystrada fitted with lecky Ohlins and pretty carbon nostrils. I suspect the nice man at the shop can also sell you a ceramic lined Termi for that proper boss sound too.

This of course should be suffice to put everyone off. Unfortunately when manufacturers take the urine price wise, it annoyingly just makes me want their products even more! I wonder if Lizzy will sell off some corgis for a bit of Bologna bling? ;-D

P.s. The VRod Muscle is the same power cruiser genre (M109, R3, Hammer, VMax, being the other most obvious competitors), but in terms of looks, design and execution they're very different animals IMHO. As for pillions and panniers? You'd probably be best to look towards a K1600GT. drag bikes don't do large pillions or globetrotting.