Ducati Diavel. What do you think?

[javadog]

Moses,

You ought to go test ride one. Ducati is giving demo rides on these in the month of April. You can try your local dealer or get on the Ducati USA web site and schedule a ride.

JR

[Geronimo '74]

*Cough* ugly *cough*

Looks HEAVY!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

ugliest bike I've seen in a long time.

can't wait to get my back on the road this weekend.

[VINMAN]

[javadog]

Wow, harsh crowd today...

While all you guys are sitting on a lawn chair in your driveways, admiring your bikes while they are perched on their sidestands, I'll be out actually riding one of mine.

It's about how they ride, not what they look like in your driveway... until I ride a Diavel, I'm not going to pass judgement on it.

Fair enough?

JR

[Shaun @ Tru6]

why not have both? First drive of the year was yesterday, going on a longer one today. Riding it was great. Walking back to it with an ice cream cone in hand, admiring it, was great. Having a hot chick with a Streetfighter (not with her) accost you and want to know all about it, was, well, great. Her boyfriend was a little sullen though.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Moses

It's 162 HP. More upright than a sportbike. Sort of a sport cruiser. They don't have typical Ducati looks, but I think I like it.

What do you think?

I think you'll break a leg...

[Joe Bob]

Does it come with a collapsible walker?

[Gogar]

Is that the license plate holder hanging out in the back there? That's the only thing that really bugs me. Otherwise I think it looks ok, Sort of like a monster with some extra appendages.

Shawn, you're just nervous because it has double the horsepower of your SS.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

sometimes I feel so, so, so inadequate, brings a tear.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by javadog

Wow, harsh crowd today...

While all you guys are sitting on a lawn chair in your driveways, admiring your bikes while they are perched on their sidestands, I'll be out actually riding one of mine.

It's about how they ride, not what they look like in your driveway... until I ride a Diavel, I'm not going to pass judgement on it.

Fair enough?

JR

a good ride doesn't need to be an ugly ride.

[Rufblackbird]

Originally Posted by cstreit

Don';t like the lower scoop, HATE the headlight. Otherwise like....

agreed...

[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.

[Jim Bremner]

Must Ducatis are a beauty to see.












































this one, well I'm sure that it's Mother love it.

[Brando]

It does look like a "street fighter" competitor. The whole "street fighter" class of bikes IMHO are becoming retarded cross-breeds. I haven't seen or ridden one that I would like. I think they are designed with the intention of getting from point A to point B in style, in less than 5 miles and 4 minutes. Extended highway trips are not comfortable and high-speeds are not economical.

I'll stick with a cruiser or get a sport bike. All of these cross-breeds I'm seeing just don't cut it (yet).

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Brando

It does look like a "street fighter" competitor. The whole "street fighter" class of bikes IMHO are becoming retarded cross-breeds. I haven't seen or ridden one that I would like. I think they are designed with the intention of getting from point A to point B in style, in less than 5 miles and 4 minutes. Extended highway trips are not comfortable and high-speeds are not economical.

I'll stick with a cruiser or get a sport bike. All of these cross-breeds I'm seeing just don't cut it (yet).

I don't think there's much difference between a streetfighter and a sportbike. A streetfighter is just a sportbike with trashed fairings.

Ducati will sell a buttload of Diavels. It's a cruiser that scoots, and would appeal to those who would have otherwise looked at V-rods or V-Maxes. For a cruiser, it goes, it corners, and it stops. Didn't someone post awhile back when there were rumors of Harley and Ducati merging that some demographic studies showed there was a surprising percentage of bikers who owned one of each marque in their garages?

[nostatic]

I hate it. As in HATE. And people think Multis (or GSs) are fugly...that thing looks like someone took a Harley, random Japanese Cruiser, and a Monster and put Photshop on "frappe."

Went to the top of Mt. Wilson and back today on the GS (ACH is finally open). Saw almost a dozen CHP - busy revenue enhancement. I'd buy a dozen GSs before I even would pick up a brochure for the Diavel.

Then again, there's a butt for every saddle...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

could we lock this thread, or at least delete the pics? every time there's a new post, have to click and read, and there it is... making Baby Jesus cry.

[jyl]

Groovy lines, for a jet ski.