I Rode the XDiavel, Here's my Takeaway

[showerfan]

Just got back from a weekend in San Diego, where we rode the XDiavel out about 160 miles in one day. It was fun, here's my take:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-02/ducati-xdiavel-review-a-techno-cruiser-aimed-squarely-at-harley 

[1.21GW]

It also pulls hard, hitting its maximum torque of 95 ft-lbs at a lowly 5,000 revolutions per minute. That's a big deal for Ducati, most of whose motorcycles need to be revved up to 8,000 rpm or higher before they hit peak pushing power.

Is that true?  I always felt peak was more in the 5-6k range, but that is purely anecdotal based on my albeit limited Duc experience.  My M900 really struggles to get out more "umph" above 6k.

Anyway, nice write up.

[ducpainter]

Is that true?  I always felt peak was more in the 5-6k range, but that is purely anecdotal based on my albeit limited Duc experience.  My M900 really struggles to get out more "umph" above 6k.

Anyway, nice write up.

You need to ride a 4V Duc. Completely different animal, and I suspect these newest bikes are completely different than the 4V bikes I'm used to.

[1.21GW]

Am I being an grumpy old man if I say I much prefer the ducs of 10-20 years ago to all the new stuff they are putting out?  Sigh.  Sometimes, better is not always better.

[NAKID]

You need to ride a 4V Duc. Completely different animal, and I suspect these newest bikes are completely different than the 4V bikes I'm used to.

Yup, my first 4V is the 821 and it makes peak Tq at 7700

[ducpainter]

Am I being an grumpy old man if I say I much prefer the ducs of 10-20 years ago to all the new stuff they are putting out?  Sigh.  Sometimes, better is not always better.

I get accused of it all the time.

[showerfan]

haha -- no i was talking about the new bikes they build. i, too, have a 2v m900 and you are right, it is better. but the new 1198 motors, on which this is based, start hitting their peak power around 8000 and the panigale motor hits it at 10 and change.

to me, this engine felt a bit underwhelming, but there were BSB champions on the launch, like shakey byrne, who thought it was mad powerful. so i leave it up to you to decide. test ride one when they come to a dealer near you. i think it'll make you love your monster even more

[koko64]

A 1300cc two valve grunter only making 110-120hp but 100ft/lbs of torque over a broad rpm range would probably be a better cruiser motor. I guess they would need water cooling to keep the EPA happy.
A simpler, cleaner looking motor might be more attractive to the cruiser brigade. Ducati will never listen to the likes of me.

One thing for sure, after getting off a HD (and I can say this coz I've owned a few), the Diavel and XDiavel would be a revelation.

[MadDuck]

If I was ever tempted in this direction the XDiavel would be at the top of the list!

[DarkMonster620]

what I like the most about this bike are the hidden hoses . . . and to some point, the exhaust . . .

[showerfan]

True they put the hoses mostly on the inside and they even kind of hide the headers

[MadDuck]

I get accused of it all the time.

Me too.   

[ducatiz]

Is that true?  I always felt peak was more in the 5-6k range, but that is purely anecdotal based on my albeit limited Duc experience.  My M900 really struggles to get out more "umph" above 6k.

Anyway, nice write up.

2v vs 4v

[ducatiz]

Am I being an grumpy old man if I say I much prefer the ducs of 10-20 years ago to all the new stuff they are putting out?  Sigh.  Sometimes, better is not always better.

Am I being a grumpy old man If I say I much prefer the ducs of 20-30 years ago?  LOL

[froggert]

Interesting that it's capable of 40 degrees of lean angle.  I think that might be more than my monster!