2018 EICMA: Ducati Diavel 1260 unveiled

Ducati unveiled the much-awaited Diavel 1260 at the Ducati World Première 2019, a few days before the 2018 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan. As the name suggests, the new motorcycle gets a larger 1,262cc, liquid-cooled, V-Twin motor churning out 159hp at 9,500rpm and 129Nm of torque at 7,500rpm. The new powerplant also features Desmodromic Variable Timing (DVT) and a new engine mapping for better performance. Transmission duties are handled by a 6-speed gearbox, while bi-directional quickshifter comes standard on the higher-spec Diavel 1260 S.

In terms of electronics, the 2019 Ducati Diavel features Bosch’s six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), three riding modes (Sport, Touring and Urban), eight-level traction control, eight-level wheelie control and cornering ABS. The new Diavel 1260 also gets fitted with a launch control system, dubbed the Ducati Power Launch, as seen on the XDiavel.

The steel trellis frame employs the engine as a stressed member and is suspended on a USD fork at the front and a monoshock unit at the back, and it continues to feature a single-sided swingarm.  The higher-spec Diavel 1260 S sports a fully adjustable 48mm front fork and a rear shock, both from Öhlins. Braking hardware consists of dual 320mm front rotors and a 265mm rear disc, and the Diavel 1260 S employs Brembo’s M50 monobloc calipers while the standard version uses Brembo’s M4.32 calipers.

The power cruiser rides on Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres with a 120/70-ZR17 section at the front and a massive 240/45-ZR17 tyre at the rear. The standard Diavel 1260 uses 14-spoke wheels while the Diavel 1260 S uses 10-spoke wheels with a machined finish. Seat height is low, at 780mm, and the bike weighs 218kg (dry weight).

Ducati designers have made the Diavel 1260 look sleeker and sportier than its predecessors, while maintaining the aggressive stance and design DNA of the original bike. The tail section is much more petite and even the twin-exhaust mufflers are stubbier than the older bike. The Diavel 1260 also features an LED headlight (the S version gets LED DRLs), TFT console, cruise control and backlit switchgear.

The 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 will come to our market next year and, given the more powerful powerplant, electronics and new features, it will be priced at a premium over the existing Diavel that retails for Rs 16.10 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).