2015 Ducati Diavel | First Look Review

2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon in Red (left) and Star White (right)
2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon in Red (left) and Star White (right)

When the Ducati Diavel debuted for 2011, it made a splash. It was the most over-the-top power cruiser since the Yamaha/Star Vmax, making a claimed 162 horsepower from its 1,198cc Testastretta 11˚ L-twin, a rowdy engine derived from the 1198 superbike. The Diavel, which means “devil” in a Bolognese dialect, had a cruiserish riding position and a fat 240-section rear tire, but its futuristic, brawny styling bore no similarity to any motorcycle we’d ever seen. In my first-ride report on the Diavel, I could barely contain the hyperbole: “Few bikes can provide such a neck-snapping, arm-straightening, eyeball-flattening, mind-bending, cliché-invoking experience.”

Read Rider’s 2011 Ducati Diavel review

Read Rider’s 2014 Ducati Diavel Strada vs 2014 Star Vmax comparison test

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2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon in Red/Carbon Matt
2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon in Red/Carbon Matt

For 2015, the Diavel gets an updated engine with higher torque, a new exhaust system, full LED illumination, a new seat and revisions to the styling and instrumentation. The dual-spark version of the Testastretta 11˚ L-twin in the Multistrada and new Monster 1200/S now powers the Diavel, and a unique 2-1-2 exhaust system helps it achieve higher claimed output—162 horsepower and 96.2 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the wide rear wheel through a 6-speed transmission with a wet slipper clutch and chain final drive. Twin side-mounted radiators kept the engine cool and the bike’s shoulders broad. Ducati’s Ride-by-Wire system enables riding modes—Sport, Urban and Touring—that offer unique settings for engine output, throttle response, ABS intervention and Ducati Traction Control.

The Diavel’s chassis uses Ducati’s signature steel trellis frame architecture with the engine as a stressed member. Two die-cast aluminum sections bolt to the rear of the trellis and form the base of the subframe. Suspension features a 50mm Marzocchi fork and a Sachs shock, both fully adjustable, and brakes are by Brembo, with dual 4-piston radial monobloc calipers up front and a single 2-piston caliper out back. The 14-spoke wheels with machined details are shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires.

2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon in Star White/Carbon Matt
2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon in Star White/Carbon Matt

A new LED headlight is mounted in a new brushed-aluminum housing, which complements the LED brake/taillight and turn signals. The stepped, two-person seat is longer and has been reshaped. The rider sits just 30.3 inches above the ground, and a removable pillion seat cowl is standard. Instrumentation is comprised of an LCD display mounted above the handlebar and a full-color TFT display atop the 4.5-gallon fuel tank. The TFT display features a new fuel gauge and sidestand warning icon.

Claimed weight is 463 pounds for the Diavel and 452 pounds for the Diavel Carbon. The Carbon model is lighter and more expensive thanks to forged Marchesini wheels (5.5 pounds lighter than the standard wheels) and carbon fiber tank panels, pillion cowl and front fender. The front brake calipers are also milled, giving them a unique look and shaving off a few grams.

The 2015 Ducati Diavel is priced at $17,995 and will be available in Dark Stealth only. The 2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon is priced at $20,995 and will be available in Red/Matt Carbon or Star White/Matt Carbon.

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