Objavljeno: 29.05.2016
Well, well, well XDiavel is the first true cruiser from the Ducati.
So far there was Diavel that was more in the area of power-cruiser meets naked philosophy, and now there is a true cruiser from Ducati that all the custom-cruiser fans were waiting for.
All Ducati motorcycles have this special sporty character which is a part of the charm and Ducati charisma, XDiavel is a cruiser but the sporty spirit and the charisma are present.
Letter X stands for marking the two lines, sides, that bind the two worlds the best from the world of cruisers and the best from performance world.
After this test we can confirm that above said is very much true and then some.
Starting from the looks, the bike is beautifully designed, the master art of engineering architecture and technology, at first it was hard to believe that a cruiser could be so compact and light on the one side, and so long with the wide back tyre on the other side.
If we add to above said the fact that the XDiavel S is packed with modern technology such as, ABS, Traction Control, and has the latest evolutionary step to the Testastretta engine, the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262, we can say that it's amazing how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together so perfectly with all the details and finish on the highest level of quality.
What is DVT engine?
Desmodromic Variable Timing system (DVT). The increase in engine capacity compared to the Testastretta 1200, together with the use of the Desmodromic Variable Timing system, enables supply of incredibly full and at the same time fluid torque at low running speeds, while also guaranteeing sports performance when the throttle is fully opened. In addition, the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 has a particularly detailed design which, thanks to the repositioning of the water pump inside the V of the cylinders, does away with the cooling system pipes on the left side.
The silhouette of XDiavel S is long and compact with nothing sticking out or out of place.
Back end is dominated by the big wheel that has a tyre dimensions 240/45 ZR17, single sided cast/trellis frame swingarm and the belt drive.
Of course there is a short tail with two Diavel signature tail lights.
Central part of the XDiavel makes the heart DVT 1262 engine that produces 156 hp (114,7 kW) @ 9500 rpm and 95,0 lb-ft (128,9 Nm) @ 5000 rpm of torque, combined with beautiful tubular steel Trellis frame in the monocoque style, that means that the front part of the frame is mounted on the cylinder heads and the rear swingarm is mounted on the engine block.
Front is dominated by the big adjustable fork Ø 50 mm (Ø 1,97 in) USD with DLC treatment, the LED headlamp is eye-catching even in daylight, and the massive cooling radiators.
Ducati states, 5.000, 60, 40. Three numbers that sum up the XDiavel concept. 5000, the number of revs at which the engine supplies maximum torque; 60, the number of ergonomic riding position configurations; 40, the maximum lean angle in degrees.
During our test ride we were amazed by the maximum lean angle the XDiavel S is capable of!
The foot pegs are far upfront and in the higher position than on the Diavel.
We didn't even came close of scraping pegs in the mid-corners, but the foot pegs are so far upfront that the shorter riders will have to use 60, the number of ergonomic riding position configurations, to get more comfortable.
Riding position for the riders 1.80m to 1.85m tall is very comfortable, the deep seat makes the rider feels...you are going for a ride, and the tray swallowing you into the cockpit.
On the other hand co-rider seat is very small and hard.
So if you are thinking of taking the „better half“ for a long ride...mmm we wouldn't recommend, unless maybe your „better half“ is around 1.60m tall.
XDiavel S pulls cleanly from 3000 revs all the way its 10,000 rpm redline, with the maximum torque at 5000 rpm it's easy to imagine how strong accelerations can be, and how fluid the ride can be.
In the 6th gear XDiavel can hold the speed of 130 kph at 4600 rpm and easily accelerate up to 200 kph just by twisting the throttle.
Engine is very smooth and working well with the belt drive, there are no gaps, twitchy effects or unwanted surprises.
Although XDiavel has no fairings the wind pressure is minimal up to 150 kph, which is an excellent result, after 150 kph the wind is so strong on the neck, shoulders and knees that the rider immediately decides to reduce speed to the cruising standards.
Rider, when sitting on XDiavel, doesn't have a feeling that the bike is long and heavy at all.
In fact XDiavel feels very light and agile even in dense traffic conditions at low speeds.
Cornering behaviour is also excellent for a cruiser, the huge back tyre makes the bike a little bit heavy in the harder leans and the far upfront positioned pegs enables the rider to use them as lever, so the cornering speed's are moderate.
XDiavel S is a true cruiser with lots of style, sophistication and performance, words not typically synonymous with the V-Twin cruiser segment.
The slick-shifting six-speed gearbox makes passing easy in any gear, as can help during hardy acceleration.
X is the first Ducati that comes with a belt drive, which is very sophisticated, no noise, very clean, easy going and it helps to feel cruising experience.
The mufflers are short and sharp, and the noise that they produce is deep V-Twin symphony, it's the only part of the bike that is noisy.
Sometimes maybe too noisy.
During the low-rpm ride in third and fourth gear we have noticed a high resonance sounds that were little bit irritating, it's a good thing that they appear only under 4000 rpm, area that is not used offten while riding.
Brakes are impressive! Front brake 2 x 320 mm (12,60 in) semifloating discs, Radial Brembo monobloc 4-piston M50 callipers and radial master cylinder, Bosch cornering ABS as standard equipment, and rear brake 265 mm (10,43 in) disc, 2-piston floating calliper, Bosch cornering ABS as standard equipment make the X one of the safest motorcycles on the road.
Braking feeling is very precise in the front and the rear brake, the rider can feel how much reserve the brake has and the braking progression.
XDiavel S is low, long and very stabile, previously said in the combination with excellent brakes, makes stoping and deceleration a child's play!
Suspension, overall works very good, but sometimes it can be a little to rigid, especially during hard accelerations on the bumpy road or on the bumps in the corner.
In these situations the bike can kick you out of the seat and shake you up real good, the good thing is that the bike stays stabile.
Rear view mirrors are nicely designed and optimally positioned, but they tend to vibrate a lot over the 5000 rpm, so the rider can't see anything, not even the road during high rpm ride.
All the controls and the dash are very intuitive and nicely designed, instrumentation is made of 3,5" TFT colour display and dedicated warning light display.
One of the best things about the XDiavel we would like to stress out is the consumption. Fuel tank capacity is 18 l (4,75 US gal) and on our test the fuel consumption was around 5.5 litres to 8 litres per 100 km.
Considering the 1200 cc and 156 hp motorcycle that weighs around 240 kg it is very impressive result!
One other good thing is valve clearance check at every 30.000km (18,000m) which reduces the maintenance costs significantly.
Standard Equipment for the „S“ version is:
Riding modes, Ducati Safety Pack (Bosch cornering ABS + DTC), DPL (Ducati Power Launch), RbW, Cruise control, Hands-free, Full-led lighting with DRL, Backlit handlebar switches, Bluetooth module, Infotainment system, Glossy black engine with machined belt covers, Premium seat, Machined aluminium mirrors.
Overall Ducati XDiavel S is a very sophisticated, smooth and charismatic ride.
It offers riding experience and technology that is head and shoulders above all the others currently existing custom-cruisers on the market, it turns heads everywhere you go, kids, young people, older people, everyone would like to own one.
The question is the price range. In EU price for the XDiavel S is around 24.000 eur.
Well, well, well if you want to own XDiavel.
Author, Test Rider: Marko Heder.
