Preview: The Ducati XDiavel is more cruiser-centric than its sibling

The Ducati Diavel is a unique motorcycle in the brand's portfolio. It is the Italian motorcycle maker's interpretation of how a cruiser should look like, breaking away from the conventional design. Rishaad has ridden the Diavel and mentions, "The Diavel is stunning and menacing, one of the biggest attention magnets I've ridden." This is high praise. While the Diavel focuses more on a high-performance muscle bike, there is a calmer version based on the same platform that has a more cruiser-centric approach, the XDiavel. The X in the name stands for the combination of "low speed excitement, typical of a cruiser and the adrenaline rush of sports riding," states Ducati.

Ducati unveiled the XDiavel at the 2015 EICMA show in Milan. Both the machines get distinct styling bits that give them a unique character. Mechanically, there is also difference as the XDiavel gets a larger 1,262cc twin-cylinder Testastretta engine with belt-drive (Ducati's first). The Ducati XDiavel enters Indian shores by the end of this year and is expected to be priced between Rs 16-20 lakh.

Design

The Ducati XDiavel draws inspiration from the regular Diavel but gets a more cruiser-like styling. The super-flat headlight gets LED daytime running lights. The low-slung muscular tank design paired with the compact tail section looks unique. The XDiavel gets black anodised 50mm Marzocchi front forks. Adding to the appeal is the exposed trellis frame that houses the new Testastretta DVT 1262 motor, which dominates the side profile.

The XDiavel gets adjustable front suspension with the spring preload on the left and extension register on the right. Ducati claims that with a steering inclination of 30 degrees and a 130mm trail, the XDiavel gets an agile and controllable front end that guarantees exceptional handling. The rear too gets an adjustable spring preload and extension mono-shock set-up. The XDiavel runs on 120/70 ZR17 tyres in the front and 240/45 ZR17 in the rear (both Pirelli Diablo Rosso II). It gets Brembo brakes with M4 32 radial monoblock calipers.

The XDiavel also gets adjustable footpegs with three different positions. It will be offered with three personalisation packs â€" Sport pack, Touring pack and Urban pack. These packs offers different combination of seats and handlebars along with features that are relevant to each pack, like forged aluminium rim set, magnetic tank bag and billet aluminium footrests.

The cluster on the Diavel gets a TFT screen with an independent module placed above the handlebar which has four different displays: default, classic track, full and city, depending on the riding mode engaged. The switchgear on the left side can adjust and personalise various settings like the DTC (Ducati traction control), DPL (Ducati power launch) as well as select from three ABS levels: Expert, Sport, and Safe and Stable. Similarly, there is a dedicated switch to activate cruise control. Different riding modes â€" Sport, Touring or Urban Riding â€" can also be chosen irrespective of whether the bike is static or dynamic.

Engine

The Ducati XDiavel is powered by a liquid-cooled 1,262cc twin-cylinder Testastretta motor that is 64cc more than that of the regular model. The larger displacement has been achieved with a longer stroke of 71.5mm instead of 67.9mm. This motor is paired to a 6-speed transmission. This motor gets variable valve timing (Desmodromic Variable Timing) and makes 156PS of power at 9,500 rpm and generates 128.9Nm of torque at a mere 5,000rpm. Compare these numbers with that of the Diavel's 162PS at 9,250rpm and 130Nm at 8,000rpm and you realise that this motor has been tuned not to have as frantic response as that of the Diavel. The longer stroke in the motor helps generate greater torque at a lesser rpm thus making it suitable for long-distance riding. Also, the XDiavel weighs 220kg compared to the Diavel's 210kg dry weight.

Ducati has moved the engine's water pump to the space between the twin-cylinder layout. The XDiavel also comes equipped with Bosch-sourced electronics like the fuel-injection system and a ride by wire throttle with three riding modes: Sport, Touring and Urban. In addition, it uses a Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that monitors the bike's position, which is then communicated to the cornering ABS system.

Price

We expect the prices of the Ducati XDiavel to be in the range of Rs 16-20 lakh. In terms of rivals, the XDiavel competes with the likes of the Yamaha V-Max, Triumph Rocket III and Harley-Davidson V-Rod in the international markets. Ducati is expected to bring the XDiavel to the Indian shores by the end-2016.