DUCATI XDIAVEL (2016-on) Review

I was initially a little hesitant in pushing on any harder because I wrongly assumed the long wheelbase and raked out front wheel was going to make the bike unwieldy and hard to steer. But in reality it’s nothing of the kind and you can still push hard on that front Pirelli tyre and have direct knowledge of what’s going on.

On the move that length just never becomes an issue. It still handles, goes and stops like a real Ducati and the new 1262cc version of the Testastretta V-twin has thumping torque to make riding on the road easy.

Combined with the shove from the engine, the ferocious braking power from those Brembo M50 calipers on the S model and the decent 40 degree lean angle on offer, this is a cruiser that can still deliver great handling with all the cool you could ask for.

The 1262cc, 156bhp V-twin installed in the XDiavel is essentially a new engine when compared directly to the Diavel or Multistrada 1200 DVT. The 1262 DVT motor produces peak power of 153bhp at a lowly 5000rpm. The torque peaks at 95ftlb but it produces 72ftlb at just 2000rpm!

The engine has the Desmodromic Valve Timing (DVT) system first seen on the Multistrada 1200 DVT last year. The hydraulic variable valve timing system has been designed to take the lumpiness and piston slap out of the motor, smooth off the revs low down and make low speed riding more comfortable. While the hardware of the DVT system remains the same, the way it has been programmed to work has been retuned for the XDiavel.

The build quality on the XDiavel is top-notch and the more expensive and higher-specification S model takes this to another level again. The diamond cut rear wheel, different engine case finish and a host of other cosmetic changes set the bike apart from the standard bike and in the UK market is expected to make up around 80% of sales.

There’s no getting away from the fact the entire Diavel and XDiavel range are expensive bikes but that’s never stopped anyone from buying Ducatis before. We don’t think they are necessarily overpriced as the equipment and quality of the bikes, along with the available performance and handling do make them class competitive. When you look at the cost of a Yamaha VMAX or a top line Harley-Davidson cruiser then the price looks more reasonable. 

Combined with the new motor is a full complement of electronic control systems including cornering ABS, traction control, anti-wheelie, three riding modes, cruise control and Ducati Power Launch, which is a three-mode launch control system. It all seems a very long way from the simplicity of a Harley-Davidson cruiser for sure.

There are three different handlebar options, five different seats and three footrest mounting points which Ducati say offers so many ergonomic options for maximum comfort. Seat height is just 755mm which offers even those of a shorter leg the option to be able to get feet onto the floor easily.