Ducati XDiavel

Ducati’s Diavel has been a great success for the Italian brand. Marrying true v-twin high-performance engines in low-slung cruiser style designs.

The Ducati difference to the cruiser market, however, comes with quality suspension, brakes and a moderate degree of lean angle not available on most cruiser style motorcycles. The Diavel was always going to be a hit, and Ducati have raised the stakes a little further for 2016 with the Ducati XDiavel and XDiavel S.

The XDiavel, Ducati say, ensures the “low speed excitement” typical of a Cruiser, and the adrenaline rush of sports riding that Ducati has made its own. That’s what the X in XDiavel stands for: the merging of two apparently separate, distant worlds on one bike, a superb combination where both are accomplished without compromise.

Ducati XDiavel

The XDiavel has a larger 1262cc engine than the regular Diavel, achieved through a longer stroke. Despite it’s larger capacity, with 156hp @ 9500pm the XDiavel produces six less horsepower than the regular 1198cc Diavel. The XDiavel also produces fractionally less torque, but there is only 1.6Nm difference between the two machines.

The major difference is where this maximum torque is delivered, while the regular Diavel requires 8000rpm on the tachometer to deliver maximum twist, the XDiavel is pumping its 128.9Nm maximum torque at only 5000rpm. That’s sure to make a huge difference on the road.

Ducati Australia are expecting first stocks of the 2016 Ducati XDiavel in February, and will retail the model for $27,490 (+ORC), and the 2016 Ducati XDiavel S will be priced at $32,490 (+ORC).

Ducati XDiavel

5,000, 60, 40. Three numbers that sum up the XDiavel concept

5,000 as in the rpm at which the twin-cylinder engine achieves maximum torque (13.1 kgm). Extremely low revs for a Ducati engine but perfect for a Cruiser. Moreover, at 2,100 rpm the XDiavel power unit already ensures a torque of over 10 kgm, with an extremely flat curve all the way to the rev-limiter. Yet the engine remains a Ducati engine through and through, with a maximum power of 156 hp and thrilling performance across the rev range.

To obtain that performance Ducati engineers pushed the Testastretta engine through its ultimate development phase to create the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262. Increased engine displacement, together with the DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) system, results in delivery of full yet fluid torque at low revs, but ensures sports bike performance when the throttle is twisted wide open. Moreover, the design work on the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 has been meticulous: for example, relocation of the water pump inside the intra-cylinder V means the cooling system pipes are no longer visible on the left.

60, as in the number of different ergonomic configurations for the rider. The XDiavel provides vast scope for personalisation thanks to 4 different footrest positions, 5 different seats and three different handlebars. It’s also possible to fit a comfier passenger seat, even with a small backrest. All this, then, because comfortable riding means full “low speed excitement”.

Lastly, 40, as in the maximum attainable lean angle. The XDiavel is a Ducati and as such ensures dynamic performance and the thrill of a sports bike, but only when you really want to push it to the limit. Frame, suspension, brakes and the chassis set-up have been designed to maximise sports-style riding fun, but without compromising on the comfort and easy handling that are essential when exploring the highways at a more relaxed pace.

Ducati XDiavel

The XDiavel is the first Ducati to use belt-type final transmission. A must within the Cruiser world, this system has been developed for the XDiavel by Ducati engineers to ensure reliable, secure transmission of the power provided by the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262. Belt drive offers the advantages of more silent running, cleanliness, reduced maintenance and the fluid throttle response one wants from a Cruiser.

Design and technology merge again on the Full LED light assemblies, which play a key role in the styling of the XDiavel.

Like all latest-generation Ducati bikes the XDiavel features the Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which dynamically measures pitch and roll angles plus the speed of relative variations in attitude, thus raising performance and safety standards even further. This system, together with Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Riding Modes, Bosch Cornering ABS , Cruise Control and the innovative Ducati Power Launch (DPL) make the XDiavel a technological gem offering high performance and, above all, safety.

Available also as an S version, the XDiavel features a black-only colour scheme (on the S version the matt black becomes gloss). The bike also has the innovative DRL (Daytime Running Light) at the front, forks with DLC coating, Brembo M50 front brake callipers, a special seat and parts with machine-finished highlights. These include eye-catching alloy wheels and aluminium engine belt covers, given even greater allure thanks to the gloss black paintwork.