Diavel first ride

[Punx Clever]

The Diavel has really grown on me, especially after seeing this Husqvarna concept.   

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/husqvarna-mille-3-concept/

Looks like something you'd build out of legos....

[Triple J]

So I stopped by Duc Sea to pick up a part for my 748, and they had their demo ready to go. Unplanned test ride!  Thanks to Dave R for lending me a jacket, gloves, & helmet...and convincing me to take it out. 

While I wasn't a fan of the concept at the begining, I have to admit that Ducati has done a very nice job. I actually really liked the bike. 

It looks better in person than in pics, and the production models look a lot nicer than the ones which were displayed at the IMS shows. There are a lot of nice styling touches, and fit and finish were excellent. Dave had installed the "sport" screen which helped a lot with the looks, as it made the extreme slope of the front end less noticeable. I still don't think it's the best looking bike Ducati ever made, but I do like it now.

It definitely isn't a cruiser. The brakes were awesome. The motor was great. Good power in Urban mode (100 hp), and superb power in Sport and Touring modes (162 hp per the display). Fueling was nice…at least as much as I could tell on my short ride. The 240 rear tire isn't noticeable, as the bike tipped in well and held a line easily. In short it handled and rode very nicely. Slow speed handling was very good as well. The stock exhaust even sounded very good…I'm not sure how they got the cans past the EPA sound police!

Seating position was comfortable, especially the seat itself. The reach to the bars felt natural. I'm 5'-9” and could flat foot it, so a good bike for the vertically challenged. The pegs are a tad more forward than I'm used to, but they weren't too far. My only complaint was that my heel hit the exhaust header shield, making riding on the balls of my feet difficult. Sliding the foot forward a little solved the problem, and honestly didn't feel bad given the peg location. I also had on work boots, which have wider soles than my riding boots, probably making the interference worse than normal.

If I was in the market for a new Ducati this would probably be the one, despite my first assumptions about the bike. I really liked it. 

[DoubleEagle]

Dolph

[Triple J]

Is that yours, a test ride rig, or just pics? If you rode it...impressions?

[DoubleEagle]

Is that yours, a test ride rig, or just pics? If you rode it...impressions?

An acquaintance of mine just got it 2 days ago.

It's his 1st Ducati.

He has a BMW Adventure 1200 and another dirt bike.

He really likes it so far.

Dolph       [moto]

[muskrat]

I hate to say this but having heard the Termi's tonight on one there's no option but to drop the 3 grand.

[DoubleEagle]

I hate to say this but having heard the Termi's tonight on one there's no option but to drop the 3 grand.

Full Termi System is.....3,000$ for the Diavel ?

Does that include installation ?

Dolph     [moto]

[DoubleEagle]

Dolph   

[geoffduc]

Well Dolph are you going to pull the trigger...

It certainly is a carrot... 

Unpacked two last friday... they never even made it to the show room...

PDIed and straight on the road... [moto]

[DoubleEagle]

Well Dolph are you going to pull the trigger...

It certainly is a carrot... 

Unpacked two last friday... they never even made it to the show room...

PDIed and straight on the road... [moto]

Hi Geoff,

I don't know , I've had Acute Bronchits going on 3 weeks and feel like I'm on death's door.

The weather isn't any good even if I do pull through.

Nothing out of the 40s farenhiet here or when it does get to 50 it 's rain , rain , rain.

I talked to my Sales guy by email , he said the one Diavel that came in for the showing this past Friday was already sold and wouldn't be around for long.

So it doesn't sound like he will have a Demo anytime soon.

Right now I'd say I'm 60/40 for getting one.

I'd really like to ride one before I buy it . ...or may be just bite the bullet and call the Dealer and tell them to deliver one to my place.

The tough part is do I part w, the GT or have 4 bikes ...been there before and that's not a good situation.

One bike at least get's left alone....and even harder w. the bikes I have now.

Dolph     [moto]

[GLantern]

Hi Geoff,

I don't know , I've had Acute Bronchits going on 3 weeks and feel like I'm on death's door.

The weather isn't any good even if I do pull through.

Nothing out of the 40s farenhiet here or when it does get to 50 it 's rain , rain , rain.

I talked to my Sales guy by email , he said the one Diavel that came in for the showing this past Friday was already sold and wouldn't be around for long.

So it doesn't sound like he will have a Demo anytime soon.

Right now I'd say I'm 60/40 for getting one.

I'd really like to ride one before I buy it . ...or may be just bite the bullet and call the Dealer and tell them to deliver one to my place.

The tough part is do I part w, the GT or have 4 bikes ...been there before and that's not a good situation.

One bike at least get's left alone....and even harder w. the bikes I have now.

Dolph     [moto]

Any reason you would part with the GT over one of the superbikes?  I personally would prefer every bike to be different and up to a different task.  The S1000 and the 1098R are similar bikes albeit different motors and feel.  Unless you have one as track only?

[muskrat]

Full Termi System is.....3,000$ for the Diavel ?

Does that include installation ?

Dolph     [moto]

$3290 and no installation.  Another Termi rip-off but it makes the bike look a thousand times better.  Here's to hoping other manufacturers jump in and lower that ridiculous price.  It doesn't even change the route of the exhaust.  The full system is much nicer looking than the slip-ons.
Ducati Diavel with Termignoni Full System

[DukeDenver]

I am a Termi fanboy,  Love how they allow you to see the SSS over the stock bits.  Cheers to them on a job well done 

[sbrguy]

It's his 1st Ducati.

He has a BMW Adventure 1200 and another dirt bike.

this is exactly who ducati is going to rope in with this bike.  so in a way ducati was somewhat ahead of the curve by making the gamble on this bike.

[DoubleEagle]

Any reason you would part with the GT over one of the superbikes?  I personally would prefer every bike to be different and up to a different task.  The S1000 and the 1098R are similar bikes albeit different motors and feel.  Unless you have one as track only?

GLantern,

I just got the S 1000 RR last year and it is one hell of a fun bike to ride fast . Handles great. Not afraid to throw it into any corner at just about any speed.

The 1098 R , I doubt I will ever let that one go. It's an Icon. A Torque Monster.

The GT is a great bike in it's own right. No faults and almost as much fun as the 2 Sportbikes.

If I could only have 3 including a Diavel , the GT would draw the short straw only because I like speed and handling and w. 2 Sportbikes I can put 1/2 as many miles on each.

The Diavel from what I've read and heard  gets me excited in a different way than my Sportbikes do.

More comfortable, lots of low end Torque  ( not that I don't already have that  ) higher Bars, Muscular look, lower Seat, those Termis are beautiful IMHO , and more forward pegs. .

Dolph     [moto]