new Ducati xDiavel

[peterbaron]

...sorry, but to me personally this bike is ugly, no room for it in my garage.

[fritzwilliger_imp]

The whole Ducati scene has 3 typical hallmarks: SPEED / DESIGN / LIGHT WEIGHT or... dash / flash / and (low) mass.

Ducati SPEED is usually owing to:
1) very high engine revs, in this case up to 10,000 rpm redline (some other Ducati models even higher) made possible by their proprietary Desmodromic valving system - no springs, but mechanical levers that push and pull the valves up and down, open & close, to very high reciprocating speeds to avoid the "valve float" that usually arises with valve springs at very high engine rpm's - a system which can be very temperamental, and downright self-destructive, if not kept in perfect tune and timing sequence;
2) high cylinder compression due to the very tight Desmodromic valving system; and
3) very sporty ECU engine mapping that emphasizes rapid acceleration.

Ducati DESIGN usually showcases an Italian flair for sleek lines and proportions that suggest panache and sophistication all rolled into one edgy package.

The LIGHT-WEIGHT aspect of Ducati bikes is due to the extensive use of magnesium alloys and components along with minimalist sizing and scaling of rods, cylinder walls, engine blocks, trellis frame, rims, levers, etc.

While the reliability of Ducatis from a maintenance perspective has never been up to Honda standards, the racing pedigree of Ducatis has certainly bested far larger manufacturers often enough over the years. That all of this emanates from what is essentially a VW-funded mom & pop outfit in the small suburban town of Panigale (just on the outskirts of Bologna) is pretty remarkable when compared to the likes of H-D, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW, KTM, and even the likes of Aprilia and Moto Guzzi. Having toured the factory last year, it is pretty amazing just how much comes out of this somewhat modest location!

With this XDiavel sport-cruiser, it strikes me that Ducati is trying to broaden its product line to appeal to both a younger and older demographic. Whether they have the right combination to compete with better known and more plentiful cruisers from the likes of H-D, Triumph, Honda, among others, remains to be seen, but at least Ducati is giving this wider product band-width a serious go-round!

Only time will tell...!
-fritz

[Cormanus]

Ducati has certainly given Honda and the other big Japanese factories a run for their money in the MotoGP this year. Lucky you getting to tour the factory, Fritz.

As for the Diavel, while I'm not sure I want one, I like that it looks what it is: a muscle bike.

[Riko_imp]

while I still consider myself a Honda man, I do love my Duc and also this XDiavel loaner is a pleasant surprise for what it is, a naked muscle bike.

What really pleasantly surprised me was the clutch, it felt Japanese-like, slick and precise with a satisfactory feel when shifting.
Only finding neutral was an issue.

The updated engine is also more livable on low speeds/high gears. Big pull from low speed without judder, again more Japanese like than typical Ducati, old school Ducatista maybe won't like the more civil manners of their recent bikes but I like em.

I'm curious to know how the new clutch and engine feel like on the latest Multistrada since they should be the same, other than gearing of course.

[Riko_imp]

The whole Ducati scene has 3 typical hallmarks: SPEED / DESIGN / LIGHT WEIGHT or... dash / flash / and (low) mass.

Ducati SPEED is usually owing to:
1) very high engine revs, in this case up to 10,000 rpm redline (some other Ducati models even higher) made possible by their proprietary Desmodromic valving system - no springs, but mechanical levers that push and pull the valves up and down, open & close, to very high reciprocating speeds to avoid the "valve float" that usually arises with valve springs at very high engine rpm's - a system which can be very temperamental, and downright self-destructive, if not kept in perfect tune and timing sequence;
2) high cylinder compression due to the very tight Desmodromic valving system; and
3) very sporty ECU engine mapping that emphasizes rapid acceleration.

Ducati DESIGN usually showcases an Italian flair for sleek lines and proportions that suggest panache and sophistication all rolled into one edgy package.

The LIGHT-WEIGHT aspect of Ducati bikes is due to the extensive use of magnesium alloys and components along with minimalist sizing and scaling of rods, cylinder walls, engine blocks, trellis frame, rims, levers, etc.

While the reliability of Ducatis from a maintenance perspective has never been up to Honda standards, the racing pedigree of Ducatis has certainly bested far larger manufacturers often enough over the years. That all of this emanates from what is essentially a VW-funded mom & pop outfit in the small suburban town of Panigale (just on the outskirts of Bologna) is pretty remarkable when compared to the likes of H-D, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW, KTM, and even the likes of Aprilia and Moto Guzzi. Having toured the factory last year, it is pretty amazing just how much comes out of this somewhat modest location!

With this XDiavel sport-cruiser, it strikes me that Ducati is trying to broaden its product line to appeal to both a younger and older demographic. Whether they have the right combination to compete with better known and more plentiful cruisers from the likes of H-D, Triumph, Honda, among others, remains to be seen, but at least Ducati is giving this wider product band-width a serious go-round!

Only time will tell...!
-fritz

interesting insight, and I imagine if you like Ducati's, it must be very a cool experience to visit their factory in their home town in bella Italia

Last month I went to the Triumph factory in Hinckley.
My mate owns a Triumph and his dealer organizes these annual 2 day trips to England wich also includes a visit to their factory.

It was rainy and to be honest, I wasn't very excited beforehand and after the visit, although a fun day out, it was nothing more to me.

But a visit to the Ducati factory in Italy itself, now that would be a different story...

Talking about their high red lines, I seldom actually go seek the red line, maybe its because I was used to my CB wich doesn't acquire to red line it (although it made a nice sound in the higher rev range), but even my Multi rarely finds itself in the redline range.
But when I rev it, it certainly feels like it comes alive the higher it goes, the kick and sound sensational.

Never ridden an Italian bike, but liking their designs, I also thought they were unreliable as cuss, so I followed the clichés of people that never owned one.
They don't have the same level of reliability as a Japanese bike, but look after it, and it should go a long while.
There is also a lot of exaggeration, mainly from non owners indeed.
Especially the aspect of 'character' I didn't understand and found it hard to believe, but revving that engine, gave me a hint of what owners mean with that "character".

[GoldOxide_imp]

Ducati has certainly given Honda and the other big Japanese factories a run for their money in the MotoGP this year. Lucky you getting to tour the factory, Fritz.

As for the Diavel, while I'm not sure I want one, I like that it looks what it is: a muscle bike.

The Diavel's looks funny from behind on the freeway. Almost like some sort of accelerating Lazy Boy chair.

[Riko_imp]

I cant get over that fat rear tire, if anything, it looks muscular from the rear and passing it from the side without the swingarm is even more jawdropping

However, when looking at their first alterations of the bike, the Diavels witouth the X, that bike again grows on me more and more, because of that bulky front end, wich many may also find funny looking

Their 2019 Diavel is again the same as those first generations: bulky front, high pillion seat and chain driven.


I dig the fact you can make it a cruiser or a tourer in a relative short time without some ugly luggage frame ruining the look, when going for the Shad system.
With saddlebags


Without saddlebags + mini saddle bags


A topcase however is no option on this bike in terms of how it would look, imo.

[apex1_imp]

He's got a nice stable thus far, a goldwing and a diavel

Makes me wonder about Ducati reliability now most of the bikes they have are released under Audi..the Scrambler, this Diavel, the new Multistrada

I think it's gotten a lot better since Audi took them over. Their valve adjustment and oil change intervals went way up, and they've ditched timing belts and dry clutches for a more "normal" setup.

Friends who ride them, say they've gotten way better. In terms of initial quality, they also seem to be on another planet. The old Duc's were sweet, but some of them looked like they had the quality of a homebuilt project.

They have?
I will say that changing cam belts on my older air-cooled Multistrada is not difficult. But when it comes to adjusting valve clearances, it is a huge pain in the neck.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Aren't most V2 and V4s a pain to adjust valve clearances? The only exception that comes to mind are the Moto Guzzis. My understanding is Guzzis can be done while changing diapers.

[apex1_imp]

Aren't most V2 and V4s a pain to adjust valve clearances? The only exception that comes to mind are the Moto Guzzis. My understanding is Guzzis can be done while changing diapers.

Some are worse than others. Harleys have hydraulic lifters so they never need adjustment. Guzzis and airhead BMWs are very straightforward. Many bikes have shims under buckets so camshafts must be removed if shims need to be swapped. A pain. The thing about Ducati is their desmodromic valvetrain complicates things. All bikes have intake and exhaust valves opened mechanically, and all but Ducati rely on valve springs to close the valves. Ducati desmo valves are closed mechanically by a separate forked rocker, not by a valve spring, so both the intake and exhaust valves are adjusted by shims. Here is a short video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocfIYUc5bpU