Ducati made a bold move when it launched the Diavel for 2011. It was a power cruiser from a company known for sportbikes, it had a 240mm-wide rear tire and it had a hunched-shoulders stance that was, shall we say, unique.
Read our 2011 Ducati Diavel Carbon road test review
But the Diavel was a Ducati, so it was in no way dumbed down. Powered by the liquid-cooled, 1198cc Testastretta L-twin, it made a claimed 162 horsepower in a 456-pounds-dry package and would go 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. Riding modes, traction control, ABS, Brembo Monobloc front calipers and sportbike-spec suspension were not the usual power cruiser fare.
Leaning further toward cruiser orthodoxy, for 2016 Ducati introduced the XDiavel, with more conventional yet still muscular styling, a feet-forward riding position, belt final drive and a new 1,262cc Testastretta L-twin with more low-end torque.
Read our 2016 Ducati XDiavel S first ride review
For 2019, the Ducati Diavel 1260 offers the best of both worlds with styling and the Testastretta DVT 1262 from the XDiavel and the midmount footpegs and chain final drive from the Diavel. Ducati says the Diavel 1260 cranks out 159 horsepower and 95 lb-ft of torque, and it has a new tubular-steel trellis frame.
Standard electronics include a Bosch six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Bosch Cornering ABS Evo, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) Evo, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) Evo, Ducati Power Launch (DPL) Evo and cruise control, and the S model is equipped with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up & down Evo.
Suspension is fully adjustable in front and adjustable for preload and rebound out back, and the front calipers are Brembo M4.32 Monoblocs squeezing 320mm discs. Lighting is LED and instrumentation is TFT.
The 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 will be available in Sandstone Grey with a black frame and black wheels. Pricing and availability are TBD.
The 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 S, which adds fully adjustable Öhlins suspension, Brembo M50 Monobloc front calipers, machine-finished wheels, an LED Daytime Running Light (DRL), Ducati Quick Shift up & down Evo, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS) and a dedicated seat with a special insert, will be available in Thrilling Black and Dark Stealth with red frame and black wheels or Sandstone Grey with a black frame and black wheels. Pricing and availability are TBD.
Check out Rider’s Guide to New/Updated Street Motorcycles for 2019
Source: RiderMagazine.com