The Ducati XDiavel has been unveiled at the ongoing EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy. Offering a mix of Ducati’s trademark riding dynamics and the comfort of a traditional cruiser for ‘slow speed excitement’, the XDiavel is being marketed as the company’s first ever cruiser.
Apart from its moniker, the XDiavel shares very few traits with its power cruiser sibling. It is built around a brand new steel tubular trellis frame with a single-sided swingarm. The ergonomics have been completely revised to offer a more laid back riding position. Customers can choose between five seats, three different handlebars and four footrest positions. When it comes to electronics, the Ducati XDiavel is pretty modern and comes equipped with cornering ABS, traction control, rider modes and even a launch control system!
At the heart of the XDiavel is a Testastretta L-Twin engine, borrowed from the Ducati Multistrada. This state of the art 1262cc liquid-cooled mill delivers 155bhp and 129Nm of torque to the rear wheel through a belt drive. The engine has been tuned to offer flat power delivery and smooth acceleration. This is the first time that Ducati is using a belt drive for a motorcycle, though this should provide a quieter ride and reduce maintenance costs.
While many would regard the Diavel to be Ducati’s first ‘cruiser’, the Italian manufacturer has always tried to dissociate the Diavel from this tag. Ducati even went as far as using ‘Don’t call me a cruiser’ motto for the Diavel. Now though, Ducati seems to have no qualms in associating itself with this new segment with the XDiavel. While cruisers aren’t very popular in Europe, they make up a big chunk of two-wheeler sales in the American market. Available only in a black paint scheme, the Ducati XDiavel will share the market space with other cruisers like the Harley-Davidson V-Rod and the Triumph Rocket III.
