Saturday, 05 February 2011 10:43 by Alice Margaria

Marbella (Costa del Sol, Spain).

In the old science fiction movies you would often see some strange hybrid creatures, an odd mix of two different animals created in some dark and mysterious laboratory.  The Ducati Diavel must have been born out of the same thought process, with Bart Janssen Groesbeek playing the part of the eccentric scientist.  After designing the latest Ducati Monster, the Dutchman found a combination of characteristics that the production market has never seen, creating this diabolical machine that necessitates a category all its own.

The Diavel (“Devil” in Bolognese dialect, which the Ducati mechanics apparently exclaimed when they saw it), can be described anthropomorphically as an Olympic sprinter: powerful, muscular and dynamic.  The sloping line from the tail to the front wheel is decidedly sporty; the rear wheel screams custom; the relaxed riding position is all tourer; the "flyline" is that of a true naked; and the futuristic lighting package, almost completely composed of LED's, reminds one of a concept bike.

If it's difficult for find the right category for the Diavel, it's just as tough to define its character. The considerable level of technology, completely at the disposition of the rider, allows the bike to change its mood at the flick of a switch.  You can go, for example, from 100 to 162 horsepower simply by changing the riding mode (from URBAN to TOURING to SPORT, as with the Multistrada 1200), listed on the TFT color display above the fuel tank.  There is also ride by wire, traction control, ABS, and keyless ignition (as long as it's in your pocket, of course).

The 1198 cc Testastretta 11° engine puts a wonderful growl through the double 58 mm exhausts (Euro 3), and the silenced wet clutch allows you to enjoy it fully.  The engine also features a new water pump boasting 35% greater cooling efficiency, mated to longitudinally mounted dual radiators.

The trellis frame has a layout somewhat similar to the Multistrada 1200, but the most captivating design element is the aluminum single-sided swingarm, impressively long at 635 mm.  The front Marzocchi forks mate to fairly tall handle bars, mounted very close to the rider, and provide for a 70° turning radius, incredible for a bike of this nature. The rear suspension centers around a Sachs monoshock.

Since the bike can accelerate like a dragster, 0 to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds, it's a good thing that it can also brake like a sportsbike, with two Brembo monoblock calipers, as seen on the 1198, grabbing a pair of 4 mm discs up front, in addition to a 265 X 6 mm disc in the back.

Even amongst the several eye grabbing features on this bike, the rear tire simply cannot be ignored.  An extreme "sport custom" (if we can call it that) design, it was created by Pirelli just for the Diavel.  They have named it the Diablo Rosso 2, and it features dual compound technology to maximize both grip and tire life.

Because an 18” wheel would have created to much of a humpbacked profile, Ducati decided to mount a 17” rear, also helping to batter match it with the 17" front wheel.  The result is an amazing 41° lean angle!

We tried the Diavel first in the city, then on the highway, and finally on the marvelous coastal road from Andalusia to Ronda, and winding stretch asphalt that most riders can only dream about.  Before we set out, I tried put aside any preconceived ideas about this extreme Ducati, and indeed I was surprised from the moment I first swung my leg around it.  The comfortable seat is narrow and low (770 mm), and it makes you feel totally integrated with the bike while also allowing you to touch your feet down easily.  I started it without putting the key in, and after enjoying the sweet sound of the 1198cc twin for a moment, I kindly asked the 210 kg beast if we could be friends, setting the riding mode to URBAN to keep things calm at the start.  We're off!

Frankly it shocked me.  The weight, which I was expecting to be an issue, isn't felt at all, and the Diavel's prompt throttle response helps to further mask the mass.  It accelerates powerfully yet fluidly, allowing you to dance amongst the city traffic and mountain curves with similar ease.  Once I hit the highway, I changed the riding mode from URBAN to SPORT (from 100 to 162hp), but not before the display kindly informed me to close the throttle for a moment.  When I opened it again two seconds later, I could clearly feel the extra ponies knocking around in the v-twin, and now I have some idea what it feels like to "put on the afterburners."  The only problem was that the wind blast began to get a tad fastidious at 150 km/h, and I found myself thinking that a small windscreen wouldn't be amiss.  Good thing there are several options for one amongst the long list of accessories Ducati makes for the bike.  And those brakes we mentioned earlier?  They work as well as you would expect from such a setup, allowing you much more braking potential than you might ever need, with the assurance of ABS for added peace of mind.

Amazingly enough, the Diavel felt most at home in the curves and the high speed direction changes, where the Diablo Rosso 2 really works its magic.  I never expected the confidence to lean as far as I did, for a riding experience that was uniquely fun and totally unexpected.

The Diavel isn't bad on the back seat either, and despite being perched slightly higher than the rider, the seat is very comfortable.  To facilitate transport of a passenger, you simply remove the seat cover (with some easily accessible screws under the seat), and fold down the passenger foot pegs.  Former 250cc world champion Mario Lega was kind enough to let me try both ends of the two up experience, and from the riders perspective things are just as pleasant.

Between Valentino Rossi in MotoGP and the Diavel on the road, Ducati has really decided to go for it this year.  And while I know that this may all sound something like a marketing pitch by now, I strongly encourage you to try the Diavel before you judge it.  Nobody likes to eat their words!

The Diavel is available in two versions: versioni: the "base model" (it's a little bit strange calling a bike with so many options a base model) which costs 16,990 Euro, and the "Carbon", which weighs 3 kg less and costs 3 thousand Euro more, thanks to forged Marchesini wheels and various carbon fiber parts splashed around the bike.  The two color options are Carbon Red and Carbon Black.

In the aftermarket catalog, aside from the windscreens mentioned earlier, there is the almost requisite Termignoni exhaust system, billet aluminum handlebars, central and lateral soft bags, and two seat options (one taller and one shorter).  The Diavel also has some dedicated apparel for both men and women, leather accessories by Dark Rider, and a model specific helmet.

A curiosity: the Pirelli Diablo Rosso 2 rear tire is priced at 360 Euro, and the front 170 Euro.  They can be personalized with up to 8 characters by visiting the Pirelli website.

What a Devil!