If symptoms of demonic possession were confined to a ridiculous power and an intimidating appearance, I daresay that the Ducati Diavel is possessed, and it transmits it to anyone who gets on it. And I think that Ducati knows, as it has been baptized in honor of the fallen angel as it is told in the scriptures. Like all motorcycles badged by Ducati, the Diavel has a great personality, is a different bike to everything in the market, without counterparts in a segment which, like the one created by Ducati with the Monster; in this case it’s the sport cruiser.  

 

 

ESTHETIC

Impeccable, intimidating and powerful, a series of attributes of the  Borgo Panigale brand. A bike that combines various styles and makes it difficult to fit into a segment, it has Dragster, Muscle Bike and Custom with a sporty engine. All finishes are first class and excellent workmanship, especially the Carbon version we had on test, with details in this material in the panels of the fuel tank, seat cover and front mudguard with Marchesini wheels forged achieves a reduction which weighs only 250KG. the digital instrument has just the right amount of information and access to different power modes, traction control and ABS intervention, that can be customized to suit the user.  At the top of the tank is the gear position indicator, fuel level, the onboard computer and selected power mode.

The optical group LED technology provides excellent illumination in blue tone very clear, which makes night into day; guaranteeing to see the road clearly. Behind the stop of two lines on the sides of the bottom of the tail along the single-arm anchor plate holder complement the radical aesthetics of the Diavel.

 

MOTOR

 

The Diavel mounts the  Testatretta 11 ° 1198.4 cc that produces 162 hp at 9500 rpm and a maximum engine 130.5 Nm at 8000 rpm torque. diabolic figures for a bike with only 205 kg. This engine we tested recently in the Monster 1200 S where we find impressive performance, generating us some curious to know how it would behave in a motorcycle so different.

 

ON THE GO

 

The Diavel was the bike Ducati had not passed through our hands, so we set out to get to know the diabolical creation of the brand, yes, if not before making a few prayers and sprinkled with holy water to not be possessed by the evil spirit.

 

The interface is similar to that of other bikes of the brand, starting with proximity key and a dashboard with so many possibilities to do a course to understand it and learn to use in the optimum manner. On the Diavel you find a position somewhat strange handling, wide seat, low, comfortable, high handlebars and slightly forward that forces you to lean a little while footrests remain almost parallel with the front seat. The engine comes to life and lets  you hear its deep voice through two exhaust located on the right side, you convey a sense of power and makes you feel invincible. The Diavel has three selectable modes of power from the handlebar, Urban, Touring and Sport, the first limited to 100 hp with the intervention of security systems at maximum level while the other two have 162 hp but with a delivery modified and traction control and ABS. Residual vibrations disappear, when the engine delivers power linearly from 3000 revolutions per minute, first tried the Urban mode, where there is plenty of power to move very fast in the city, of course, depending on traffic, and rules of traffic. It is remarkable smoothness of the hydraulic clutch, and the response of the gearbox and throttle- ride that responds to any movement of the right hand. Despite the displacement and the two side escapes, the Diavel is not noisy but the depth of sound is able to set off alarms of all vehicles in the neighborhood, especially in enclosed parking.

 

The first curves become somewhat difficult by the width of the rear wheel, but after a few attempts it becomes natural and very funny because the Diavel achieves astonishing inclinations safely. I dare say that of all the motorcycles we tested, the Diavel is the most visual appeal, it is impossible to go unnoticed because the aesthetic breakthrough is able to attract attention of both young and adults, children or the elderly of any kind, a perfect bike to expand the social circle of those who ride.

 

In another scenario in search of higher feelings, we change the drive mode to Sport and we enter highway to leave the city. The power delivery is impressive, really feels, unlike other bikes where the mapping is very similar in all modes. The rear tire Pirelli Diablo Rosso II measuring 240, is firmly grips the asphalt catapults forward fortunately the seat has been designed to stay integrated into the bike, otherwise would stay sitting on the floor to make a strong acceleration. The maximum speed is well above any legal limit is about 200 km / h in fourth gear away from the engine and have demanded much more to give. In winding road crosses the bike with ease and aplomb, has a good angle of rotation and can be tilted up to the limit set by the footrests, suspensions behave properly even in areas with bumps and irregularities are much transmitted to the occupants. The brakes are perfect, forward good touch and excellent mordant while the rear is limited to support the first, the ABS system does not feel unless you make an emergency braking at high speed or you stop on a zebra crossing.

We needed to try the Touring mode, so we changed to prevent high fuel consumption in Sport mode. Again the delivery Diavel 162 hp but more gradually, being still plenty of power available by simply opening the throttle. The motor rotates merrily about 7000 rpm, away from power outage but enough to deliver nearly 80% of the maximum power, allowing maintain speeds of a sport with the comfort of a cruiser.

The Ducati Diavel is a bike of those that has both supporters and haters, but with a simple test drive, the evil spirit that embodies it is able to make you change your subjective opinion and you fall in love with her. A bike that although it has a specific segment, adapts to different groups where for aesthetics and performance is going very well.