Ducati Diavel - Taking cruisers to a new level. (w/ video)

In what is their first shot at the cruiser segment, Ducati has officially released its brand new Diavel motorcycle  

At first glance the bike looks like a "butch"ed out Monster and the design cues are very  strongly "Ducati". 

The Diavel has typical cruiser characteristics - a longer swingarm with relaxed handle-bar and foot peg positioning.  But thats not it. What Ducati seems to want to achieve with this motorcycle is not simply a cruiser with an attractive Ducati design. One look at this list of goodies on the Diavel will make you wonder if we're talking "looking cruiser - talking sportbike". Here's where Ducati introduces the sportbike genes in the Diavel...

- 1198 cc V-twin (same mill as that in the 1198 bike) with a 162 horsepower output.

- Dry-weight of just over 450lbs/200kilos, despite its size, a longer swing-arm, a fat MotoGP style rear-tire profile, and chunky rims, 

- 320 x 4.5mm double disc brakes in the front and 265 x 6mm brake in the rear which is complete supersport bike hardware. Ducati claims better stopping ability than their sportbikes.

- ABS

- Ducati's riding mode system (with a button to choose between, urban, sport and touring), while changing power delivery and traction control settings.  

 - Hands free key (from the Multistrada) which can stay in your pocket at all times even though you're riding.

Beyond these tangible changes Ducati says they have payed close attention to ergonomics for rider comfort. 

Ducati has been promoting the Diavel as a sportbike in their press-conferences, with videos of the bike on winding roads appearing to corner very well and images of it doing wheelies etc.  It also comes in two versions, a standard Diavel and the Diavel Carbon. The Carbon comes carbon fiber replacing bits and parts of steel on the motorcycle and with rims that are lighter by 5lbs from the standard Diavel.

Basically Ducati has redefined what a cruiser can/should be. They've created a motorcycle that stands out on its own, that is highly customizable, a cross or a hybrid bringing the best of two motorcycle segments together. A motorcycle that is totally uncategorized, totally Ducati. And WE LOVE IT !!