New Diavel Video

[junior varsity]

french bulldogs are ugly.

[jc.cyberdemon]

and stupid

[The Architect]

I have nothing to add until I see it and possibly ride it. 

[Wang]

I have two French Bulldogs 

Not decided on the bike.  Doesn't appeal to me visually, but I bet it will attract more riders to Ducati from other markets.  I just hope it doesn't influence the design of some of their other bikes.

[DoubleEagle]

Why Marzocchi Forks ?

It does look like a V-Rod to me.

Looks kind of cheap in the pictures for a Carbon example that is suppose to cost $20,000.

How does a 240 rear tire handle compared to a 190 ..... (on a longer wheelbase than most Ducs) not as well I wouldn't think !

Dolph       

[zooom]

Why Marzocchi Forks ?

 

$$$ if I had to guess....

How does a 240 rear tire handle compared to a 190 ..... (on a longer wheelbase than most Ducs) not as well I wouldn't think !

slower turn in....look at what a bike does (and feels like) difference wise between a 180 and a 190 profile...now imagine it as a 240...hence why I asserted (earlier in this thread)that the rider in the video is muscling the bike around the turns...

[junior varsity]

Why Marzocchi Forks ?

Marzocchi doesn't just make crap forks, it is just what we are used to when we see that name. The EVO SP Hypers have outstanding Marzocchis, and the Marzocchi works fork is fantastic too. I'm sure there are high quality Showas, but most of the Marz's and Sho's are budget-oriented supply.

[ducatiz]

Marzocchi doesn't just make crap forks, it is just what we are used to when we see that name. The EVO SP Hypers have outstanding Marzocchis, and the Marzocchi works fork is fantastic too. I'm sure there are high quality Showas, but most of the Marz's and Sho's are budget-oriented supply.

Marzocchi forks were the standard for Ducati superbikes in the 70s and 80s.  Part of the reason for the move to Showas was due to the onslaught of Japanese bikes coming into the US with them and the public's familiarity with them.

[Raux]

Marzocchi's race forks are PHENOMENAL and expensive

[DoubleEagle]

Marzocchi's race forks are PHENOMENAL and expensive

Then why Jerry so many MOTOGP bikes running Ohlins ?

Dolph     

[zooom]

Then why Jerry so many MOTOGP bikes running Ohlins ?

 

cause they make some unobtanium even moreso superfantastically phenominal and uber OMFG expensive....

[Raux]

Sponsorship 

[twolanefun]

How does a 240 rear tire handle compared to a 190 ..... (on a longer wheelbase than most Ducs) not as well I wouldn't think !

Dolph        

Well it depends, despite what some have posted, it's the front tire and of course the overall geometry that will affect turn-in, the rear tire will mostly affect your ability to hold the chosen line in the turn, typically a fat tire bike will try to stand-up in the turns and you the rider have to prevent it from doing that by keeping the pressure on the bars. So that is the short story, but the truth is there are more factors involved and in reality we won't really know until we ride one. Now if you believe well placed Ducati types they will tell you that the rear has more of a v profile and is in fact just a wider sport bike tire, looking at the videos and still pictures I've seen it would appear they are right. Now that and the weight of the wheels could make all the difference in the world. If you doubt that go ride a Victory Jackpot and then ride a Hammer S. Me I'm optimistic that the bike is going to handle more like a Ducati and less like a cruiser, although there are some cruisers that have more handling than most can use. - Just MHO - Gene

[the_Journeyman]

Ducati is welcome to send me one to test here in the mountains.  I'll test sweepers and all day ridability on the BRP and I'll test it in the tight stuff over at Deals Gap.  I'll report back for everyone to know.  I'll give up a few weekends for that 

JM

[Raux]

there are two factors that really turn me off on the bike the more i look at it...

price. of course a 848 version around 4k less would alleviate that

rear end. the lack of anything after the passenger seat is uncomfortable for the wife. she won't like it. it's too abbreviated. kinda like the old Caddies with the cut trunks.


I really think the Ducati designers are on crack though.
they haven't created a smooth flowing complete looking bike since the SBK replaced the 999 (and IMO the 999 was a complete smooth bike, just not in the vein of the 916). I'm kinda scared what they'll dream up on the next gen SBK.

I love my bike...
but...
Monster (continuity in design- split cast frame)
MTS (horrible front end and no flow to front sides, wierd exhausts - split  cast frame)
Diavel (bulldog ugly looks- split cast frame)
HM (derivative style that added too much 'weight' to the look )

Ducati is hitting homeruns due to marketing and motors, but the style is lacking passion.

Motors
150hp now 164 hp 11 deg Testastretta... 4 riding modes, etc. cool update to the 4v
100hp now for 2v Monster... the target of sooo many aftermarket builds

marketing
MTS vs GS... hit the field winner with as much HP and tech as possible
Diavel... remains to be seen, but this is a real contender to the VMax-VRod scene
Monster... fresh update with much improved out of the box handling
HM... Ducati is making a motard?!

honestly, Ducati will continue to grow and that's great. I hope it helps some of those dealers in trouble as well. Though the engineers are hitting on all cylinders, Ducati really needs to get some new Industrial Designers for the style of the bikes.