VOL. 53 ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 2, 2016 P85
enough go on tap to seriously
test the Ducati Traction Control
system, even though you're
transmitting all that push into a
rear tire the size of which is not
even on many passenger cars.
The motor's character takes
on three different guises in the
Ducati Power Modes—Sport,
Touring and Urban—all deliver-
ing slowly diminishing levels of
outright performance. I must be
getting old because I'm really
starting to enjoy the Touring
mode on Ducatis these days—I
first realized this back in 2014
with the Monster 1200. Getting
old sucks.
Sport-mode will give you the
full house rage of an engine
ripped from its natural racetrack
habitat, slamming you back
into the comfortably cupped
seat with such zeal you imme-
diately try to haul yourself back
towards the handlebars, pushing
on the forward mounted pegs
while pulling on the one-piece
bar. Touring provides a nicer,
smoother throttle response:
it's still godly fast, just tem-
pered with a touch of maturity,
almost like a retired racer that
says, "yeah, been there, done
that, could easily do it again if I
wanted too…"
Is this bike Casey Stoner?
Urban mode is one I'll admit
to spending little time in. In this
guise the XDiavel's throttle re-
sponse becomes too muted for
my tastes, but it's nice to know
you have the option of reducing
that thumping Italian torque to
further sane levels.
It's not just the overall torque
of the V-twin that's impressive.
It's the smoothness of delivery
City cruising? Club hopping? You'd be hard-pressed
to find a sexier cruiser than the XDiavel.
