Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1162518
R I D E R E V I E W P104 2019 DUCATI DIAVEL 1260 S security system actuated by a remote sender you keep in your pocket, which communicates with the bike within a distance of two meters—and which also, after parking up, allows you to actuate an electronic lock on the steering simply by apply- ing full steering lock, and pressing the ignition-off button a second time. The list goes on and on, for one way that Ducati has considerably exceeded its own ex- pectations in sales volume of the Diavel—leading it to invest in this revamped 1260 version—was that it made sure from the beginning that while showcasing the latest in performance technology, the Diavel is also tailored to entice older, more affluent customers in the premium cruiser sector, without at the same time straying too far away from its traditional sportbike clientele. Indeed, the fact that this new version of what's arguably Ducati's most unique model, which nobody else has ever quite succeeded in replicat- ing, is so much easier to ride and ultimately more accessible without any sacrifice in performance, has almost certainly re- moved the need for Ducati management to consider developing a Diavel 950, as they did so spectacularly suc- cessfully with the Multistrada 950. This is a motorcycle with the same wicked-is-wonderful aura as before, but which no longer inspires any latent fear on the part of potential customers that they're good enough riders to control it. It's a friendly devil of a bike. Nobody else could have done this, and nobody probably ever will. It's a true Ducati. CN The Diavel team: Project Manager Eugenio Gherardi (left), Product Manager Stefano Tarabusi (center) and Giovanni Antonacci Senior Designer (right). 2019 DUCATI DIAVEL 1260 S ($22,995) ENGINE: .....Ducati Testastretta DVT with Desmodromic variable timing, L-Twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder, dual spark, liquid-cooled DISPLACEMENT: ............................. 1262cc BORE X STROKE: ................106 x 71.5mm CLAIMED POWER: ....157 hp @ 9250 rpm CLAIMED TORQUE: ... 95 lb-ft @7500 rpm COMPRESSION RATIO: ......................13.0:1 CLUTCH: ............................ Wet multi-plate TRANSMISSION: ............................6-speed CHASSIS: ................... Tubular steel trellis FRONT SUSPENSION: ......Fully adjustable Ohlins 48mm inverted fork REAR SUSPENSION: ........Fully adjustable Ohlins shock FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: .................... 4.7 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: ...................... 5.1 in. FRONT BRAKE: ............. 2 x 320mm semi- floating discs, radially mounted Brembo monobloc M50 4-piston calipers, radial pump with Bosch Cornering ABS as standard equipment REAR BRAKE: ........ 265mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper, with Bosch Cornering, ABS standard FRONT TIRE: .......... Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 III 120/70 x 17 in. REAR TIRE: ................Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 240/45 x 17 in. RAKE: .....................................................27° WHEELBASE: ..................................... 63 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ................................. 30.7 in. FUEL CAPACITY: .............................4.2 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED): ......... 538 lbs. COLOR: ........Total Back; Sandstone Grey S P E C I F I C A T I O N S