2017 Ducati xDiavel review, test ride

Hot to handle

On paper, this bike shouldn’t handle like it does. The enormous 240 section rear Pirelli Diablo Rosso II sits at the far end of an enormous 1,615mm wheelbase – a big jump from the Diavel’s already expansive 1,580mm wheelbase. Rake is also up from 28 degrees to 30 degrees; the same angle as the Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom. Then there’s the riding position. The original Diavel had a stretch to the bars but the rider's foot pegs were directly below. The new one is far more cruiser-like, with a lower 755mm seat and forward-set foot controls. However, the foot pegs are adjustable to three levels and, along with optional seats and handlebars, Ducati claims up to 60 riding position combinations. Despite looking smaller than the Diavel, kerb weight has risen by 13kg to 247kg. However, in city traffic, the XDiavel feels lighter than the weight suggests. At lower speeds, the fat rear tyre tends to follow imperfections in the road, but you soon grow to predict it. Another quirk is that the tyre tends to aquaplane a bit, especially when mildly leaned over through standing water, but the traction control system keeps things safe.

The XDiavel runs massive 50mm upside-down Marzocchi forks and a Sachs rear shock. The front is fully adjustable, while the rear offers preload and rebound adjust, but misses out on the remote pre-load adjuster. Suspension at low speeds is firm but with a decent level of bump absorption. However, at highway speeds, there’s little give over large bumps or poorly designed expansion gaps. The forward-set foot pegs make it hard to get off the seat, transmitting the entire shock to your lower back. Ride quality is firm but reasonably usable, while the low ground clearance requires caution on larger speed breakers. However, neither is a deal-breaker.

The sportbike-firm suspension reaps benefits in the handling department. Like the Diavel, the long wheelbase and raked-out front end result in the handlebar tending to flop around while cornering. It takes a fair bit of countersteer pressure on the bar to turn the bike in and keep it leaned over. But from then on, the XDiavel will shock you with its capabilities.

With 40 degrees of cornering clearance, the XDiavel can reach considerable lean angles, resulting in some serious corner speeds. Then there are the brakes. The standard xDiavel runs Brembo’s excellent M4.32 radial calipers, while the XDiavel S gets the range-topping M50s, the very same brakes on the 1299 S Panigale! The M50s offer a stunning performance with a bite so sharp it borders on excessive for the city. Both xDiavels get the added security of Bosch's cornering ABS. With this level of capability, a well-ridden XDiavel will keep up with most sports bikes on all but the tightest of roads.