The Ducati that our photographers spied not so long ago is finally here; it’s called the XDiavel and it’s a beast of a motorcycle.
Fortunately, Ducati didn’t transform the regular Diavel into a full-on cruiser, but instead created a variation of the bike to comply with the aforementioned standard. Still, don’t believe for a second that this terrific looking machine lost its Ducati pedigree, as it’s still capable of making grown man cry.
The XDiavel clashes the relaxing world of cruisers with the thoroughbred Ducati characteristics, possibly spawning one of the coolest motorcycles ever in the process. In fact, according to Ducati, the XDiavel “ensures the low speed excitement typical of a Cruiser and the adrenaline rush of sports riding that Ducati has made its own”. So, after the original Diavel was intended to be a relaxed-riding, long-journey machine, but it turned out to be, well, a Diavel, it seems that this is the nearest thing to a cruiser we’ll get from Ducati,
Powered by a new 1262cc, twin-cylinder Ducati Testastretta DVT, Euro 4 type-approved engine, with a (Desmodromic Variable Timing system, the bike produces a maximum power output of 156 hp at 9,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 128 Nm (94 l-ft) at 5,000 rpm. With the torque in a lower-range rev band, Ducati aims to make the XDiavel as relaxing as possible, even though the bike still has a bucket-load of raw horsepower at its disposal. Of course, the original Diavel’s choleric character isn’t emphasized as much, especially as the new bike features a laid-back riding position and a cruiser-approved belt drive, but it does keep some of the sporty Ducati attributes, such as a 40-degree incline and a launch control system.
Styling wise, the machine looks stunning. Long, beefy, low, and with sharp lines, this bike can’t possibly pass unnoticed. But who would want such a thing to happen, anyway? Especially as Ducati designed he XDiavel “element by element”, investing a lot of resources in its short and modern frame, its teardrop fuel tank and balanced style cues.