2015 Ducati Diavel

2015 Ducati Diavel Information and Specifications

We first reported on the introduction of the Ducati Diavel during the live event from the 2010 EICMA show in Milan, Italy.

The 2015 Diavel sport cruiser is a modest update to the original design.

Ducati said that the engine and exhaust system is new, designed to provide a somewhat more refined experience without losing the raw Diavel power that attracts the bike’s customers.

In their words, the changes “combine the model’s muscular and assertive look with an elegance and sophistication now synonymous with the premium Italian brand.”

The somewhat flowery press release goes on to say that the newly redesigned Diavel is “built to have a commanding presence” that “takes the man-motorcycle relationship to another level in absolute comfort.”

The latest generation Testastretta 11-degree Dual Spark engine is combined with full LED illumination, ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Riding Modes to deliver a “confidence-inspiring superiority”.

We say that yes, 162 horses at 9250 rpm and 96.2 foot-pounds of torque (at 8000 rpm) will do that to you…

The 2015 Diavel will be available in “Dark Stealth” livery with a black trellis frame and black wheels. The Diavel “Carbon” will be available in traditional Ducati Red over Matte Carbon with a red frame or the new Star White over Matte Carbon with white frame, both with black forged Marchesini wheels that are turned and milled to expose the aluminum.

New Features of the 2015 Ducati Diavel

All 2015 Duati Diavel motorcycles include these new features:

New Testastretta 11-degree DS engine
New exhaust system.
Full LED illumination.
New headlamp cover and mounting.
New bar risers.
New radiator covers.
Redesigned seat.
New fuel gauge and side-stand TFT instrumentation icons.

More on the LED Lighting

The new Diavel now extends its LED lighting package with a full LED headlamp to complement the characteristic twin vertical strips of LED lights, that provide tail and brake light illumination and directional indicators at the rear.

The rear LED strips follow the precise line of the under-seat paneling, providing great visibility of the rear-end while keeping the external lines of the bike clean.

The front directional indicators are clear lens LED, now updated to solid strip technology mounted vertically down the leading edge of the also restyled lateral radiator covers. Mounted in a brand new brushed aluminum outer body, the totally redesigned headlamp gives the new Diavel immediate identity using stylish LED positioning lights to create a stunning surround effect for optimum visibility.

Employing a double strip of multi-functional LEDs for the rear lighting of the Diavel required an innovative solution for the mounting of the number plate. The unique design uses mounts on the rear hub of the single-sided swingarm to extend an elegant framework around the 240 section rear tire, enabling a central mounting of the plate.

The framework carries a hidden power feed to dedicated LED illumination for the number plate, eliminating any reliance on the main rear lights and enabling a clean feature around the rear of the seat.

Diavel Engine Updates

The new Diavel Testastretta 11-degree DS engine harnesses the famous Ducati 1198’s immense power and now makes it even smoother with even more torque, an ingenious step forward in balancing high-performance with an enjoyable ride.

With its 162 HP at 9,250 RPM and increased torque of 96.2 lb-ft (130.5 Nm) at 8,000 RPM, the Diavel Testastretta 11-degree DS engine is all about authentic Ducati Desmodromic performance.

The revised intake and exhaust ports combined with radical adjustment of the cam timing have enabled Ducati to achieve a fantastic torque curve at low rpm, which remains strong through a wider rev-range. The increase in bottom-end torque is managed by Ducati’s Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system to considerably enhance the Diavel’s effortless rideability, while ensuring plenty of power remains on tap ready to be unleashed.

A number of well-proven technical advancements in Ducati’s twin-cylinder technology have been combined with the 1198’s torque-laden 106 mm x 67.9 mm bore and stroke to create an exciting, customizable and user-friendly character for the new Diavel.

Breathing through elliptical Ride-by-Wire throttle bodies, the 1198 Testastretta 11° DS uses the latest fuel injector positioning to target spray directly onto the rear of the hot intake valve instead of the relatively cold surface of the intake port wall. The enhanced vaporization achieved as the fuel hits the valve, fully atomizes the incoming charge, eliminating the chance of compromised combustion efficiency experienced if droplets of fuel enter in liquid form.

With the delivery of a fully vaporized inlet charge, the concept of Dual Spark (DS) with two spark plugs per cylinder-head, provides a twin flame-front that ensures complete and efficient combustion across a shorter period of time. New pistons with an 1198 Superbike-style crown shape further enhance that combustion with a higher 12.5:1 compression ratio.

The new engine, which is cooled by twin lateral radiators – positioned on either side of the bike and fed with highly efficient and stylish air ducts, also uses Ducati’s secondary air system, maintaining performance optimized fuel mapping for smoother cycle-to-cycle engine operation, without compromising emissions.

The Testastretta 11° engine effectively took the original fire-breathing 1198 Superbike power plant and reengineered it with increased user-friendliness. Engineers achieved this to great effect by reducing the amount of valve overlap from around 41°, (typical in performance engines that operate constantly at high RPM) to just 11°, which reduced peak horsepower slightly but considerably enhanced mid-range and overall smoothness.

The massive 58 mm section exhaust headers lead the 2-1-2 system through power-enhancing equal lengths before terminating in brand new short, slash-cut silencers, stylishly angled to match the rear wheel’s radius and underlining the focus on custom detail. The new stainless steel silencers are finished in black for the Diavel and natural brushed stainless steel for the Diavel Carbon.

The engine management system dedicates a lambda probe to each header, providing precise fueling, while the catalytic converters provide Euro 3 conformity and the electronically controlled mid-section valve optimizes exhaust pressures throughout the rev range.

30,000 km Between Major Service

The new Diavel Testastretta 11° DS engine reaches another milestone in Ducati’s constant investment in quality by enabling the distance between major service intervals (valve clearance check) to be set at an owner-friendly 30,000 kilometers (18,000 miles).

Hands-Free Ignition and Ride-by-Wire

The Diavel’s ignition is actuated by an electronic key in the rider’s pocket, which communicates with the motorcycle when within a distance of approximately 2 meters (6.5 ft).

The motorcycle recognizes the dedicated key code and automatically enables the bike’s systems. Pressing the key-on switch then activates all systems to “on” and the engine is ready to be started.

The electronic key, which internally consists of a radio circuit, externally doubles as a mechanical flip-key, required to open the seat and fuel tank cap. When parking the motorcycle, an electronic lock can be actuated on the steering simply by applying full steering lock and pressing the ignition-off button a second time.

The Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system is an electronic interface between the Diavel’s twist grip and engine, which configures an ideal power response depending on the Riding Mode selected. The twist grip no longer has a throttle cable connected directly to the throttle body butterflies, but instead delivers a signal to a control unit, which in turn operates the butterfly opening electronically.

The RbW system uses three different mappings to regulate the power delivery: 162hp with a sports-type delivery, 162hp with a progressive delivery suitable for touring, and 100hp with progressive delivery for city use.

Three Riding Modes

The 2015 Diavel incorporates the very latest in innovative Ducati technologies, including electronic Riding Modes. Selectable from the left-hand switchgear — even while riding — the choice of three pre-set modes are programmed to instantly change the character of the Diavel.

The three modes are enabled by combining class-leading technologies such as Ride-by-Wire (RbW) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC). The RbW system administers different mappings to regulate power delivery by interpreting the rider’s throttle input, while the world-beating DTC uses eight levels of system interaction to enhance control by reducing rear wheel-spin under heavy acceleration.

Although each mode has pre-set values of RbW and DTC, each of these two elements can be finely adjusted within each of the three Riding Modes and saved to create a personalized riding experience.

Sport: The Sport Riding Mode provides the Diavel rider with an adrenalin-fuelled 162 hp ride and enables the rider to have full-on throttle response for maximum acceleration. Ensuring the full Testastretta 11° experience, the Sport mode also lowers the DTC system intervention to level 1 for riders who prefer their performance a little closer to the traction limit.

Touring: The Touring Riding Mode is also programmed to produce 162 hp but with a smoother, more user-friendly power delivery. Rear end traction is enhanced by increasing DTC system intervention to level 3, specifically intended for an enjoyable and relaxing ride ideal for long distance and ensuring maximum comfort for both the rider and passenger.

Urban: Riding on city streets can require more attention to the surroundings than to throttle inputs, so the Urban Riding Mode instantly changes the Diavel to provide a manageable and confident ride. Power output is reduced to 100 hp and DTC is further enhanced to level 5 to provide a higher system intervention during the most chaotic of stop-start traffic.