Leaving the Fold , lured by the Vtwin sirens song.

[Corky]

Originally Posted by slowrider

What tailbag is that? I run the topbox currently, but its overkill for 90% of my rides.

Also, what is that screen? Shorter than stock?

I bought the tailbag in the Harley section @ Chaparral in San Bernardino.. It's made by "Riggpacks" Holds a roll of TP as I seem to have been scaring the sheet out of myself on this rocket lately. And room for a few other things. Whenever I get on a bike with a topbox it gives me the feeling of a high center of gravity. So I only use one when going for a BIG long ride.
I'm not a fan of tall windshields so I bought that short one. I can't remember the name of the company. I know a company called National Cycle windshield makes some real nice shorty's so U might want to check them out. I just bought a carbon fiber number plate holder that takes the place of the windshield. It was left over from the guys who prepped the Pike Peak race bikes. If I like it I'll sell U the one in the picture cheap.

[chewie]

Kieran, the reviews on the Tuono have been fantastic, at least in the OZ mags getting around. Really good looking thing and an absolute blast to ride they say, something like "best real world sports bike I have ever ridden"

they mentioned that the fuel range was ordinary but was that when wringing it's neck or commuting/fwy riding? 180ks and it's done? might've been less

the multi looks the bomb in the pikes peak colours, not that we will see that particular machine here, looks like a lotta fun

now that Col has unloaded his R12S, it's one less reason to keep mine, safety in numbers...mob mentality and all that, don't think I will have the 12S this time next year either

[Kieran R1100S]

Cop this one, absolutely beautiful!!!


‪Aprilia Tuono V4 New Look‬‏ - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHcL61rSbwU&feature=player_detailpage

[lennie]

Kieran,

Give me a call if you decide to sell your R1200R.

[Kieran R1100S]

Ok Lennie, will do!

[shreddr]

Originally Posted by Kieran R1100S

Cop this one, absolutely beautiful!!!


‪Aprilia Tuono V4 New Look‬‏ - YouTube

‪Aprilia Tuono V4 R APRC -11 Motorrad schwarz 2011‬‏ - YouTube

that really is something, love that MotoGP exhaust!

[Kieran R1100S]

‪Ducati Diavel on track‬‏ - YouTube

[Guest24]

I think Col has left the building.

[Sofatester]

Originally Posted by BXR12NT

After much to-ing and froing about a new bike including very nearly buying an S1000RR , Iam off , having just ordered (much to my surprise) a Ducati Diavel. It's been a fun 5 years with the S but the Diavel pushed all the right buttons when I rode it this morning , there are none available until October so I have a few months to sell the S. There are a great bunch of folks here and although I don't post much I have learned so much.

Thank you all and see you on the road.

Mein herzliches Beileid !

Was für eine entsetzliche Verwirrung !

Ich wünsche Dir, das Du stark genug bist, wenn Dich die Reue übermannt !

[Corky]

Originally Posted by Kieran R1100S

‪Ducati Diavel on track‬‏ - YouTube

Nice sounding motor!

[OwenM]

Greetings to all, been occupied elsewhere for a while.

Got a ride on the Diavel a couple of days ago, as others have said it looks a lot better in the metal than in photos, not exactly attractive in my view but certainly purposeful.
Its low and feels remarkably light while stationary, a feeling that continues when under way. The look my be cruiser but the weight is certainly not.

Once under way the first thing that struck me was the grunt of the motor, the milder cam timing and 70mm exhaust give the 1198 motor huge torque, just twist the throttle and you are gone, no waiting for revs to build. With 4000rpm or more on board it feels like it would send you into orbit, great fun.
Unlike the 1198 sports bike I rode throttle response was smooth and very manageable even in the most aggressive "Sports" mode. Combine that with the smooth and relatively light wet clutch and city progress is easy, well done Ducati.

I did not spend much time at freeway speeds but airflow seemed smooth with not much pressure pushing against my chest. The small screen that is available would likely make things worse and result in turbulence.

The suspension setup on the bike I rode was firm, too firm for comfort as far as I am concerned. This was quite different to the other bike on the showroom floor that was soft in the rear and firm up front.
I am a big fan of supple suspension with very good front rear match so I remain unconvinced the Diavel is up to the task suspension wise.

Steering was quite accurate and turn in good, however once leaning over there was no escaping the influence of that massive rear tyre as the bike wants to stand up rather than stay leaned over. The big tyre is simply a case of fashion over function, not a good move IMHO.

After only 15 minutes the seat became quite uncomfortable due to the unusual shape, and for a bike of this type this is a serious failing. There is a "touring" seat available as an option but I don't know how much of an improvident it provides.


I was looking at the Diavel as a replacement for a true sports bike but with greater comfort and a more relaxed riding position. The engine is fantastic but unfortunately the ordinary suspension and seat where a great disappointment. Add in the limitations imposed buy the big rear tyre and the Diavel is not for me.

The Diavel's case was not helped when I stepped off it and onto the new Multistrada. Wow what a great bike that is to ride.

[John Lyon]

Originally Posted by OwenM

The Diavel's case was not helped when I stepped off it and onto the new Multistrada. Wow what a great bike that is to ride.

Might check out the Guzzi Griso as well - I'm quite happy with mine, although I did have to back the rebound way off from factory settings in order to get a supple ride.

[Kieran R1100S]

Hay Owen, great report, can you tells us about the Multi ?

Cheers

[Corky]

I stepped off it and onto the new Multistrada. Wow what a great bike that is to ride.[/QUOTE]


NO DOUBT!

[BXR12NT]

Originally Posted by Corky

I stepped off it and onto the new Multistrada. Wow what a great bike that is to ride.

NO DOUBT!

[/QUOTE]

Funny you should mention the Multistrada , there are serious difficulties getting the Diavel before Xmas , so this Friday I am riding the MTS1200S, the dealer is convinced it is a better bike for me and I am willing to be convinced,plus they are available from stock.

[josephvman]

Originally Posted by Kieran R1100S

Hay Owen, great report, can you tells us about the Multi ?

Cheers

I've had a Multi 1200S Sport since the beginning of the year, and I've got around 3k on it. I would have more except I've put so much time on the HP2 Sport since I got it a few months ago. I've done a pretty extensive ride on the Diavel in the Texas Hill Country, and I can offer some comments.

In terms of fit, finish, and overall details the Diavel is head and shoulders above the Multi. The one area that I'm a little disappointed in with the Multi is the panel fit of the front bodywork, which is pretty poor.

The engine note, power and feel are basically the same, though the Diavel had far better fueling than my Multi (a 2011). A couple of weekends ago I had the software on my Multi updated (the full-Termignoni race ECU update) and it was a night/day improvement, so I'd call them even.

The suspension on the Diavel was way too firm for me, and I'm a pretty average 180lbs. I thought it was the setting of the particular bike I was riding, but it appears to be a characteristic of the bike's limited rear suspension travel, and something a lot of owners are noting. I was surprised by the handling overall, and didn't really feel like the bike wanted to stand up in corners. The bike is very low and I didn't push any extreme lean angles since it wasn't my bike, but I don't see how you could have the same handling clearance on the Diavel that you can on the Multi. Low speed maneouvers had a bit of a "tipped-in" feel that took a little getting used to, but I never thought it was an issue. I wasn't crazy about the riding position, as it felt like my ass was too far back and I had to reach for the bars. Anyone who's used to riding a cruiser should find it very comfortable though. The Diavel invites massive acceleration and high speeds, but the riding position and lack of a shield (on the one I rode) made this kind of riding tiring after awhile. I'm sure a small shield would make a huge improvement. The bike just exudes "cool", and feels and looks much more compact in person.

It's a hard bike to compare to the Multi, but objectively the Multi is more comfortable for me, has better wind protection, more versatility (especially in suspension setup), limited dual-sport ability, better 2-up, luggage/touring options, etc. I don't see them as competing for the same buyers at all, though I admit after riding the Diavel I was convinced it would join my Multi in the garage at some point.

I think the Diavel will attract a lot of metric and American cruiser riders looking for more performance and something different, as well as existing Ducati owners who are attracted to it simply because it's a Ducati. I think the bike is kind of a bargain when you consider what it offers relative to the other "power cruisers." It seems to be selling extremely well, and when I was at the Ducati factory a few weeks ago they were definitely building more Diavel's than anything else, and there was great enthusiasm for the bike. It will be interesting to see if it has serious staying power once the newness wears off. I think the Streetfighter is a very underrated bike, and probably a more fair comparison to the Diavel than the Multi.

If you're a 1-bike guy, I can't think of anything that works as well as the Multi though. It blows me away everytime I get on it.

[BXR12NT]

Well it's not a Diavel but I picked this up yesterday, It's a 2011 Multistrada 1200S Sport. I manged to get the panniers and topbox & tank protectors included in the deal and a grand off the list price. I rode it home via some twisties yesterday and it was instant love.

[1100s nut]

Col...that bike is sick. You will love it. I don`t know you, but coming of the 1200s I would think this is a better fit for sport and sport touring bike owners. I like the Dievel but to me it is a one dimension bike and what you have is like 2 or 3. Also, from your avitar, are you on the herk? I have 2000 hrs in the back....loadmaster. Love that plane.

Be safe,
Lane

[shreddr]

Nice purchase, isn't that the ST though and not the pure S?

[BXR12NT]

Lane , thanks, it is an awesome machine ,can't wait to get some decent rides and a track day under my belt.

Yes that is a Herc,I have 5000 hrs in Lockheed products, 3000 in Hercs and 2000 in P3C Orions , as a Flight Engineer. Retired from the the Royal Australian Airforce 3 years ago after nearly 22 years , the last 14 of them as Aircrew.