Bikes

The All-New Ducati Diavel 1260 Is One Mean-Looking Cruiser

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The third of Ducati’s all-new machines for the 2019 model year (check out the Panigale V4 R and Hypermotard 950), the Ducati Diavel 1260 takes an original concept, and cranks it up to 11. Part streetfighter, part power-cruiser, the Ducati Diavel 1260 is the sportier cousin to the Ducati XDiavel, with mid-controls for the feet.

The two Italian cruisers now share a power plant, the Testastretta DVT 1262 engine, which means 157hp  (117 kW) on tap, with a peak torque figure of  95 lbs•ft (117 Nm). Tipping the scales at 480 lbs wet (218kg), there is plenty of “umpf!” to launch one down the street, which is good considering that the 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 comes with a power launch feature.

Like all motorcycles in Ducati’s 2019 lineup, the Ducati Diavel 1260 comes with cornering ABS, and it also gets traction control and wheelie control. Everything a rider needs is available with the new TFT dash.

As you would expect, a 240mm tire is fitted to the 17″ rear wheel, for that power cruiser look. Ducati has revised the steel trellis frame on the Diavel to handle the extra torque and power from the Testastretta DVT 1262 engine, and the Italian company says the chassis is now more responsive, thanks to this redesign.

A daylight running light (DRL) is fitted on the “S” model (and looks very similar to the one used on the XDiavel), as well as Brembo M50 calipers, fully adjustable Öhlins suspension, special machined wheels, and a quickshifter.

First shown at the World Ducati Week 2018 event at Misano, the Ducati Diavel 1260 started life out at as Project 1309 in Ducati’s R&D bay. Now the second-generation iteration of this power cruiser model, the Diavel 1260 fits better in Ducati’s lineup, and offers more distinction to itself from the XDiavel.

As such, Ducati has styled the bike to look more like a streetfighter, without actually being a Streetfighter model (stay tuned for EICMA 2019).

This makes for a very aggressive model that should speak more to the performance-focused Ducatisti in the brand.

Source: Ducati

As always, Asphalt & Rubber will be covering all the new bikes debuting at EICMA this year. Be sure to follow our coverage for the most recent news and photos.

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