It's safe to say that “cruiser” isn't exactly the first word that comes to mind when I think of Ducati, or even the third, yet here we are with the XDiavel and its slightly dressier “S” stablemate carrying the brand into uncharted waters. The “X” signifies the cross and blending of the two worlds -- cruiser and sport -- and the end result is what the factory calls a “Techno-cruiser” due to its melding of Italian performance DNA and a more cruise-tastic rider triangle than you normally see from this brand. Powered by a 1,262 cc Testastretta engine, the XDiavel duo put the “sport” in “sport-cruiser” and opens the performance field to folks that ordinarily wouldn't have such an option.

2016 - 2020 Ducati XDiavel / XDiavel S

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 - 2020 Ducati XDiavel / XDiavel S
  • Engine/Motor: Testastretta L-Twin
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Ducati XDiavel / XDiavel S Design

- Wide handlebar - Forward controls - Low seat height - Configurable ergonomics - LED lighting

Individually, most of the features and components on the XDiavel are very sporty in appearance and would look at home on bikes with a racier bent. Heck, they look racy on the “X” as well, but the adjustable forward foot controls and pullback handlebars place the rider well into the windsock position, which of course, is unique to cruiser-country.

A solid-looking front end comes with blackout, usd forks, and a boxy little headlight can complete with daytime running lamps built in for a distinct look from the front and a little extra visibility/safety. This Italian stallion has a definite passionate side with some sexy curves in the lines of the fuel tank, saddle, and ass-end components. A minimal subframe supports an almost non-existent p-pad area, and the tucked-away taillights and fender-mount turn signals keep the tapered rear squeaky clean.

The single-side swingarm and short tail section leave the massive rear wheel almost completely exposed with only a pair of teensy, sportbike-style tire huggers that leave nothing to the imagination. Like I said, a combination of very sportbike-ish features arranged in a cruise-tastic format, but not too cruiser-ish.

Stock seat height is right at the border between the two factions at 29.72-inches high, and is probably one of the reasons the Diavel range is so popular with the fairer sex. The factory offers a selection of seats, handlebars, and foot controls for a variable rider triangle with a total of 147 possible configurations, features that allow for minute adjustments and comfort customization.

Ducati XDiavel / XDiavel S Chassis

- Bosch Cornering ABS - Sportbike-like suspension - Traction Control - Lightweight

Visible below the fuel tank is the exposed, tubular-steel, Trellis-type frame that gives the XDiavel siblings a naked-streetfighter vibe on top of its already exotic looks. The single-side swingarm is a tubular Trellis construction as well with a removable forged steel section for extra rigidity. Rake and trail measure out at 30-degrees and 5.12-inches respectively, so it retains a measure of stability even in hard corners. In order to lighten the frame, the engine is used as a stressed member, eliminating the downtube and cradle section of the frame.

Brakes are top shelf with the Bosch Cornering ABS to manage the dual Brembo four-piston front calipers that bind a pair of 320 mm discs with a twin-pot caliper and 265 mm disc in back. The suspension components are definitely more typical of the sportbike field with adjustable spring preload as well as variable compression and rebound damping.

Much like the DBP forks, these struts split damping duties between the right and left side, with the preload adjuster joining the compression on the left side, and rebound damping by itself on the right. The front end on both models received the Diamond-Like Coating treatment that helps reduce wear and friction, and the rear monoshock comes with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping.

Frame:

Tubular steel Trellis frame

Rake:

30°

Trail:

5.1 in (130 mm)

Lean Angle:

40°

Front suspension:

Adjustable Ø 50 mm (Ø 1.97 in) usd fork (XDiavelS: with DLC treatment)

Rear suspension:

Single shock absorber, Adjustable preload and rebound, Remote reservoir, Single sided swingarm, Cast/trellis frame (XDiavel S: natural anodized and brushed swingarm )

Front brake:

Dual 320 mm semifloating discs, Radial Brembo monobloc 4-piston M4-32 calipers (XDiavel S: M50) and radial master cylinder, Bosch cornering ABS as standard equipment

Rear brake:

265 mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper, Bosch cornering ABS as standard equipment

Front wheel/Travel:

Light alloy, Cast, 3.5"x17"/ 4.7 in (120 mm)

Rear wheel/Travel:

Light alloy, Cast, 8.00" x 17"/ 4.3 in (110 mm)

Front Tire:

Pirelli Diablo Rosso II, 120/70 ZR17

Rear tire:

Pirelli Diablo Rosso II 240/45 ZR17


Ducati XDiavel / XDiavel S Drivetrain

- Testastretta DVT 1262 engine - Ducati Power Launch - 152 hp @ 9,500 rpm - 93.0 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm - Riding Modes - Belt final drive

A 106 mm bore and 67.9 mm stroke give us a 1,262 cc total displacement, hence the ingeniously clever name, but a hot compression ratio of 13-to-1 will put you at the supreme pump every time.

The four-valve heads are timed by Duc's Desmodromic Variable Timing that uses oil pressure to adjust the timing of both the intake and exhaust cams to vary the valve overlap. Yes, that's right. Rather than choose between tuning for top-end or bottom-end power, Ducati opted to go for both, and the DVT allowed it to do just that while keeping within strict Euro 4 emissions standards.

A Ride-by-Wire throttle controls power delivery through the Rider Mode function that provides three separate profiles for variable performance based on prevailing conditions and rider tastes. Additionally, the traction control feature has eight levels of intervention to control rear-wheel slip, and it comes bundled with the riding modes for hassle-free use. The traction control enables the use of the drag-tastic Ducati Power Launch feature that assists with the hole shot and on up umtil you hit third gear or about 65 mph.

I started to say something about the DPL being a feature with limited utility for this class, but then I thought of all the light-to-light sprints I've seen from “cruisers,” and decided to walk that back a bit and simply point out that while it can be useful, you usually don't see this on anything short of a streetfighter or full-on racebike.

Engine:

Ducati Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing), L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, Dual spark, Liquid cooled

Displacement:

1,262 cc (77.0 cu in)

Bore x Stroke:

106 x 71.5 mm (4.17 x 2.81 inches)

Compression ratio:

13:1

Power:

152 hp (114.7 kW) @ 9,500 rpm

Torque:

93.0 lb-ft (126 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm

Fuel injection:

Bosch fuel injection system, Full ride-by-wire system, Øeq 56 oval throttle bodies

Exhaust:

Stainless steel exhaust and muffler with dual oval exits, Catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes

Gearbox:

6 speed

Clutch:

Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control


Ducati XDiavel / XDiavel S Price

At $21k, the XDiavel came in a new color for 2019, Matt Liquid Concrete Grey, and carried it over to 2020. The XDiavel S goes for a bit more than $24.5k and comes only in black this year. Ducati offers a 24-month unlimited mileage warranty on your new XDiavel.

Instrumentation:

3.5" TFT color display and dedicated warning light display

Standard Equipment:

Riding modes, Ducati Safety Pack (Bosch cornering ABS + DTC), DPL (Ducati Power Launch), RbW, Cruise control, Hands-free, Full-led lighting, Backlit handlebar switches, for 2019: new dark brown seat (XDiavel S : Bluetooth module, Infotainment system, Glossy black engine with machined belt covers, Premium seat, Machined aluminum mirrors)

Warranty:

24 months unlimited mileage

Color:

└2018:

XDiavel: Black, XDiavel S: Black, White

└2019:

XDiavel: Matt Liquid Concrete Grey, XDiavel S: Black, White

└2020:

XDiavel: Matt Liquid Concrete Grey, XDiavel S: Black

Price:

└2018:

$20,495

└2019:

XDiavel: $20,795, XDiavel S: $24,295

└2020:

XDiavel: $20,995, XDiavel S: $24,495


Ducati XDiavel / XDiavel S Competitors

Duc didn't make it easy for me to find a direct competitor, so instead I looked to bikes that might appeal to the same sort of buyer on some level.

Honda CTX700N

First, I found that the CTX700N kind of shares the same sort of “I'm really a sportbike, just with a cruise-tastic rider triangle” vibe that the XDiavel exudes, and even carries a similar longish fuel tank with a gentle swale to the upper lines. Granted, the Honda ride doesn't have quite the same sex appeal that the Duc brings to the table, nor can its 670 cc mill hold a candle to the almost twice as large plant in the “X,” but Honda does offer something Ducati doesn't, the option for the DCT automatic transmission that allows for push-button as well as full-auto shifting. This feature makes the CTX700N suitable for folks unable to shift because of reasons, and those looking for a more effortless ride than traditional equipment provides.

That, and the ABS, are the only tech nuggets on the CTX so it is a much simpler machine. This is a trade off though, because Honda generates much less pain at checkout with its $6,999 sticker than does the $20K Ducati. Such a huge price difference must make you question my choice, but I will offer that beyond the visuals, another common thread between these two is that they are popular with women riders, and so that ties them together a bit more than may be evident on paper.

Yamaha VMAX

Next up is one of my favorite power-cruiser models, the VMAX from Yamaha. Even though it doesn't have the stock forward controls and instead runs with mid-mounts, the VMAX nevertheless presents a relatively upright riding position over a sporty and muscular machine.

At 1,679 cc, the VMAX is packing a few more cubes than the 1,262 cc Testastretta lump, and naturally this is reflected in the power figures. The Duc is strong enough with 156 ponies and 95 pounds of grunt, but the VMAX crushes it with 170+ ponies and 120+ pounds (depending on whose dyno is used), well into the power-cruiser range. I can tell you from personal experience that the VMAX will come out of the hole like a scalded dog. Methinks it would benefit from Duc's launch control, but alas, no such luck.

Engine control is RbW and both run a slipper clutch, but Duc still holds the technological edge here. Prices are closer than with the CTX. MSRP on the VMAX is $17,999, definitely in the same neighborhood as the “X” family of bikes.

See our full review of the Honda CTX700/CTX700N

See our full review of the Yamaha VMAX.

He Said

“A really good-looking bike, but I think it looks kind of odd; the seating posture simply does not match the sporty stance, and forward controls will never look right on such a bike. The non-XDiavel rides look more natural with their mid-mount controls that pulls the feet back to a more reasonable position. Having said that, the “X” family looks poised to expand the overall Diavel legacy quite nicely.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, "Yes, this is popular with the ladies. Traditionally, women are stuck with cruisers because of the low seat height unless they get practiced doing the tippy-toe-bounce from side to side. Ducati's low seat height is a boon for the gals with inseams that just can't handle the tall sportbikes.

Ducati XDiavel / XDiavel S Specifications

Engine & Drivetrain:

Engine:

Ducati Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing), L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, Dual spark, Liquid cooled

Displacement:

1,262 cc (77.0 cu in)

Bore x Stroke:

106 x 71.5 mm (4.17 x 2.81 inches)

Compression ratio:

13:1

Power:

152 hp (114.7 kW) @ 9,500 rpm

Torque:

93.0 lb-ft (126 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm

Fuel injection:

Bosch fuel injection system, Full ride-by-wire system, Øeq 56 oval throttle bodies

Exhaust:

Stainless steel exhaust and muffler with dual oval exits, Catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes

Gearbox:

6 speed

Primary drive:

Straight cut gears, ratio 1.84:1

Ratio:

1=37/15 2=30/17 3=27/20 4=24/22 5=23/24 6=22/25

Final drive:

Belt, Front sprocket Z28, Rear sprocket Z80

Clutch:

Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control

Chassis:

Frame:

Tubular steel Trellis frame

Rake:

30°

Trail:

130 mm (5.1 in)

Front suspension:

Adjustable Ø 50 mm (Ø 1.97 in) usd fork (XDiavelS: with DLC treatment)

Rear suspension:

Single shock absorber, Adjustable preload and rebound, Remote reservoir, Single sided swingarm, Cast/trellis frame (XDiavel S: natural anodized and brushed swingarm )

Front brake:

Dual 320 mm semifloating discs, Radial Brembo monobloc 4-piston M4-32 calipers (XDiavel S: M50) and radial master cylinder, Bosch cornering ABS as standard equipment

Rear brake:

265 mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper, Bosch cornering ABS as standard equipment

Front wheel/Travel:

Light alloy, Cast, 3.5"x17"/ 4.7 in (120 mm)

Rear wheel/Travel:

Light alloy, Cast, 8.00" x 17"/ 4.3 in (110 mm)

Front Tire:

Pirelli Diablo Rosso II, 120/70 ZR17

Rear tire:

Pirelli Diablo Rosso II 240/45 ZR17

Dimensions & Capacities:

Dry weight:

485 lb (220 kg)

Wet weight:

545 lb (247 kg)

Seat height:

29.72 in (755 mm)

Wheelbase:

63.58 in (1,615 mm)

Fuel tank capacity:

4.75 gal (18 l)

Number of seats:

Dual seat

Top Speed:

150 mph (est)

Details:

Instrumentation:

3.5" TFT color display and dedicated warning light display

Standard Equipment:

Riding modes, Ducati Safety Pack (Bosch cornering ABS + DTC), DPL (Ducati Power Launch), RbW, Cruise control, Hands-free, Full-led lighting, Backlit handlebar switches, for 2019: new dark brown seat (XDiavel S : Bluetooth module, Infotainment system, Glossy black engine with machined belt covers, Premium seat, Machined aluminum mirrors)

Warranty:

24 months unlimited mileage

Color:

└2018:

XDiavel: Black, XDiavel S: Black, White

└2019:

XDiavel: Matt Liquid Concrete Grey, XDiavel S: Black, White

└2020:

XDiavel: Matt Liquid Concrete Grey, XDiavel S: Black

Price:

└2018:

$20,495

└2019:

XDiavel: $20,795, XDiavel S: $24,295

└2020:

XDiavel: $20,995, XDiavel S: $24,495


Further Reading

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