Ducati X Diavel S

Long, low, beefy, with modern lines and technologically advanced components. And, above all, sexy.
That’s how the XDiavel designers at Ducati envisaged it when they came up with the first sketches. A
bike conceived, on one side, with the Cruiser world in mind… and Ducati DNA on the other. A bike that
takes the Cruiser concept into the future, offering nothing less than a true “Technocruiser”.
Proportions, shaping and details are all explicitly Cruiser. And everything offers a view of the Cruiser
world as Ducati sees it.

The XDiavel has a unique silhouette. It captures the gaze, frames the full volume of the bike, balances it
between the wheels and brings out the beauty of the engine: the new Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262. As
the star of the show, the engine has been meticulously designed down to the very last detail. The
overriding goal was to highlight the intra-cylinder ‘L’, the hallmark of every Ducati. The overall layout, the
outcome of close teamwork between engineers and designers, is elegant and clean. The result is a
futuristic exaltation of mechanics and technology, not just as performance-focused functional elements
but also as pure beauty.

Extreme in its proportions, the XDiavel has deliberately been designed “element by element”. The frame,
short and modern, is immediately recognisable as the classic Ducati Trellis frame. The steel teardrop
tank inevitably brings to mind the Cruiser world, but retains the DNA of the Monster and the Diavel. The
headlamp, an ultra-modern interpretation of the classic Ducati naked headlight, now features the
innovative DRL, giving the bike immediate recognisability. And so on with tailpiece, silencer and seat: all
elements that, observed individually, have their own appeal yet, together, produce an extremely
harmonic, balanced whole. Just as a host of skilled musicians form an orchestra.
This painstaking work has seen Ducati give the entire XDiavel range one specific colour: black. Applied
differently on the standard and S versions, the black is accompanied by red – Ducati’s long-standing
trademark colour – and the same yellow that characterises the Ducati Scrambler, creating a new
distinctive made-in-Bologna feature.

The XDiavel is matt black (Dark Stealth), as are the engine covers
and belt covers. The XDiavel S, instead, is gloss black (Thrilling Black) with a matt black stripe and red
trim. On this version the entire engine is gloss black and the belt covers have been machined to leave
the aluminium in view.

Ergonomics

The riding position tells you everything you need to know about a bike. That’s why, when the designers
and engineers started work on the XDiavel, they did so with one clear aim: a relaxed riding position
worthy of a true Cruiser. The seat had to be low and the footrests positioned forwards. And the
ergonomics had to be modular to let riders fit themselves on the bike just as a tailor-made suit fits the

body. That’s why the XDiavel footpegs can be adjusted to three different positions (+/- 22.5 mm with
respect to the standard setting). Moreover, for those who like a racier riding position, a Ducati
Performance “central footpeg” kit will be available as an optional feature.
When, instead, the designers conceived the handlebars, cables and wires were routed to allow fast
replacement of as-standard bars with a further forward (+ 25 mm) or more retracted (- 25 mm) Ducati
Performance option. With regard to the seat, in addition to the standard one with an above-ground
height of 755 mm, Ducati Performance offers higher (+ 20 mm) and lower (- 10 mm) options, a wider,
more comfortable version and a leather version featuring exclusive design.

Engine

The twin-cylinder Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 is a completely new, Euro 4 type-approved engine
featuring the DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) system. First introduced on the Multistrada 1200, it
has been re-thought and recalibrated to put out high torque even at low revs, ensuring fluid, low-rpm
power delivery and a full toque curve all the way to the high revs. The Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 has
a maximum power of 156 hp at 9,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 13.1 kgm at 5,000 rpm.
The DVT system independently varies the timing of both the intake valve camshaft and the exhaust
valve camshaft thanks to the adoption of a valve timing adjuster applied on the ends of each of the two
overhead camshafts. The DVT system is divided into two parts: an external part rigidly connected to the
pulley driven by the timing belt and an internal one connected to the camshaft, coaxial to the first and
which, with respect to the latter, can rotate earlier or later depending on the oil pressure in the special
chambers. This oil pressure is adjusted by dedicated valves and the timing of each cam is controlled
dynamically by a sensor in the cam covers.

The twin-cylinder Ducati engine on the XDiavel has a displacement of 1262 cm3 with bore-stroke
measurements of 106 x 71.5 mm (as opposed to the 106 x 67.9 mm on the Ducati Testastretta DVT
1200). Compared to the Multistrada 1200 engine, it has a higher compression ratio, now 13:1 (as
opposed to12.5:1); however, it shares the same Bosch electronic injection system, featuring elliptical
throttle bodies with a 56 mm-equivalent diameter and a Ride-by-Wire system that has, of course, been
recalibrated.

The top end of the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 has been given a thorough overhaul. Both cylinder
heads have frame attachments and the horizontal one has been redesigned so it can also support the
further-forwards rider footpegs. The crankshaft features a new balancing system that, instead of the
classic pads, uses ground steel plates.
The DVT also features the Dual Spark (DS) system (i.e. two plugs per cylinder) and employs a
secondary air system; the latter introduces fresh air into the exhaust duct to complete oxidation of
unburned hydrocarbons and reduce the levels of pollutants such as HC and CO without affecting engine
performance.

Of course, the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 uses the Desmodromic engine valve closure system that
has made Ducati famous all over the world. Thanks to this system the intake and exhaust valves are
closed positively with the same precision and similar technique as to be found during valve opening.
Ducati engineers have worked in close collaboration with the designers at the Style Centre to reposition
the water pump. On all liquid-cooled Ducati engines this component is placed on the alternator cover on
the left side of the engine.

This solution involves complex pipe routing that covers a good part of the
cylinders. On the XDiavel, instead, the engine is designed to be a core characterising feature of the
vehicle and, for this reason, the water pump has been positioned in the ‘L’ between the two cylinders.
Engineers and designers have striven to produce an engine as aesthetically clean as possible, leaving it
in clear view at the centre of the bike.

The new water pump is driven by an auxiliary belt that is, in turn, powered by the one of the timing belt
pulleys. It has also been sized to improve on the performance of its predecessor; flow has been
optimised to ensure perfectly balanced coolant flow between the horizontal and vertical cylinders.
Connection pipes and hoses have been hidden while the cylinders, which host the pump couplings, have
a new internal circuit, the result of complex research into fluid dynamics.
The enormous attention to detail that allowed engineers and designers to build the Ducati Testastretta
DVT 1262 can also be observed in the repositioning of the blow-by pipe which on other Ducati bikes
exits from the base immediately behind the vertical cylinder: on the XDiavel, instead, it has been
integrated into the belt covers. Moreover, the surface finishing of all engine parts has been completed
meticulously.

The XDiavel mounts a 6-speed gearbox and features the same gear sensor first seen on the 1299
Panigale; the clutch, instead, is of the oil bath type with slipper function.
For the very first time on a Ducati, transmission is of the belt type. To mount the front pulley the engine
cover has been specially redesigned. The final 28/80 ratio corresponds to a drive ratio of 15/43.
The XDiavel exhaust is a 2-in-1 system with a chamber-type body and two tail pipes. Exhaust pipe
routing deliberately leaves the engine in view; likewise, the central body has been positioned in front of
the rear wheel, making it practically invisible.
Long service intervals
Constant investment in quality – ensured by design, advanced materials and cutting-edge engineering –
has allowed Ducati to provide highly competitive maintenance scheduling; routine maintenance intervals
have been extended to 15,000 km (9,000 miles) – or one year – and valve timing adjustment to 30,000
km (18,000 miles), providing clear advantages for customers This has been achieved by employing
special materials for the valve seats, improving combustion efficiency and limiting the running
temperature of the Ducati Testastretta DVT engine. Moreover, the innovative DVT system does not in
any way complicate the valve timing adjustment procedure.

Electronics

The Ducati XDiavel makes use of Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) inertial platform technology.

This dynamically measures roll and pitch angles and the speed of relative changes in attitude, thus
raising performance and safety standards even further. The IMU allows the Riding Modes (Sport,
Touring and Urban) to give the bike three distinct personalities. Each Riding Mode has different engine
delivery, maximum power, Ducati Traction Control and Cornering ABS settings. All electronic control
systems can be adjusted to intervene as desired and, thanks to the Default function, all values (or just
some of them) can be returned to their standard settings.
Furthermore, on the XDiavel engine power delivery is controlled via a Ride By Wire system. Torque is no
longer adjusted directly by a throttle cable but electronically: a signal is read and processed by the
engine control unit which then modulates throttle body aperture. The Ride by Wire system allows three
different engine power delivery mappings to be used.
Sport
Selecting Sport Riding Mode transforms the XDiavel into a high-adrenaline 156 hp machine. This mode
gives the rider full control over the throttle response to maximise acceleration. This is combined with
reduced DTC intervention (Level 2), perfect for riders who want to push it to the edge and enjoy the
unbridled power of the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262. ABS, instead, is set to interaction Level 2.
Touring
For the Touring Riding Mode, Ducati has provided enjoyable power delivery, again at 156 hp, but this
time in a travelling configuration that offers softer, easier-to-handle torque. Rear traction is controlled by
the DTC, set at a level designed to ensure stable, relaxed riding (Level 4), just perfect for maximum rider
and passenger comfort on long journeys. The ABS is set to interaction Level 3.

Urban

Urban mode instantaneously transforms the personality of the XDiavel, changing it into an easy-tohandle
bike that instils confidence. Urban Riding Mode limits power to 100 hp and sets a high level of
traction control (Level 6), allowing the rider to take on even the heaviest city traffic in complete safety.
The ABS is set to interaction Level 3.
DTC (Ducati Traction Control)
Ducati Traction Control is a competition-derived system that acts as a filter between the rider’s right
hand and the rear tyre. Within the space of just a few milliseconds the DTC can detect and,
subsequently, control any wheelspin, improving bike performance and active safety considerably.
This system has 8 different intervention levels. Each one has been programmed to provide a rear
wheelspin tolerance that matches progressive levels of riding ability (classified from 1 to 8). Levels 1
and 2 are specifically intended for sports-style riding and allow for high levels of rear wheelspin. Levels 3
to 6 ensure excellent grip on dry asphalt while levels 7 and 8 are designed to maximise grip on wet
tarmac.

DPL (Ducati Power Launch)
The “Dragster” coiled within every XDiavel can be unleashed thanks to Ducati Power Launch (DPL).
This system guarantees breathtaking – yet safe – starts thanks to the IMU, which adjusts fuel delivery,
and DTC intervention as per the selected setting. DPL has three different modes, Level 1 being the one
that provides maximum performance.

The DPL is activated by pressing the dedicated button on the right switchgear. Once it has been
activated the rider then sets the intervention level via a menu on the dashboard. Once the level has
been selected, the rider has to squeeze the clutch lever, engage first gear and twist the throttle wide
open. At this point, simply by releasing the clutch gradually, it’s possible to experience the most
awesome starts.

The system is automatically disengaged once the bike tops 120 kph (75 mph), or once third gear is
selected or when the bike slows to below 5 kph (3 mph). To protect the clutch, a specially developed
algorithm allows only a limited number of consecutive starts. One by one, the number of ‘launches left’
are re-enabled once the motorcycle returns to being ridden normally.

Bosch Brembo brake system with Cornering ABS system
The XDiavel features a Brembo braking system with the ABS 9.1MP Cornering device, an integral part
of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP). Cornering ABS makes use of the Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement
Unit) platform to optimise front and rear braking power even in critical situations and with the bike at
considerable lean angles. Through interaction with the Riding Modes, the system provides solutions
suitable for any situation or riding condition.
Designed to improve rear tyre control during hard braking, wheel lift detection is enabled at Level 3 but
remains disabled at Levels 1 and 2. Nevertheless, the ABS can also be fully disabled from the
instrument panel in any Riding Mode, and settings can be saved and recalled at the next Key-On.

The system integrates perfectly with the Ducati Riding Modes and has three different intervention levels.
Level 1 offers maximum sports riding performance by eliminating rear wheel lift detection and allows rear
wheel drifting by applying the ABS at the front only. Level 2 ensures equilibrium between front and rear
without rear wheel lift detection but with the Cornering function on and calibrated for sports-style riding.
Level 3 allows, in Touring and Urban modes, optimisation of the combined braking action with rear
wheel lift detection on and the Cornering function on and calibrated for maximum safety.
Dashboard
The XDiavel dashboard consists of a TFT screen with a separate warning light module positioned above
the handlebars. The dashboard has four different display modes. New to Ducati, the Default mode
provides a minimal must-have level of information, presented in an attentively styled manner. The other
three, instead, are the classic Track, Full and City display modes associated with the Riding Modes.
The XDiavel has dedicated switchgears with red-backlit keys. Under static conditions it is possible to use
the left switchgear to access a setting menu to activate and adjust various functions such as
personalised DTC and DPL settings and the three Cornering ABS intervention levels. Moreover, Cruise
Control has dedicated keys to activate and manage the speed setting. It’s also possible, under either
static or dynamic conditions, to choose between the Sport, Touring or Urban Riding Modes.
The XDiavel S is, moreover, equipped with a Bluetooth module. Connecting a smartphone to the
dashboard allows the rider to see incoming calls and text messages on the screen and displays
information about the music being listened to.

Lights

The XDiavel light assemblies are the result of intense, meticulous design work. Both the front and rear
are full-LED units (in countries where they are permitted) and have been designed to give the bike
instantly recognisable appeal. Lights automatically shift from their daytime configuration to their nighttime
one thanks to a sensor on the dashboard. This function can, where desired, be deactivated to allow
manual operation.
Moreover, the headlight on the XDiavel S features the DRL (Daytime Running Light) (in countries where
it is permitted). The DRL is a special side light that ensures perfect vehicle visibility during the day while
providing the XDiavel with yet another uniquely distinguishing feature.
Hands Free Ignition

The XDiavel can be started without inserting a mechanical key. Just come within 2 metres of the bike
and the system automatically reads the electronic key code; this allows ignition without even having to
remove the key from your pocket. At this point pressing the key-on button will power up the control panel
and allow the engine to be started. The key consists of an electronic circuit and a mechanical flip key to
open the seat and remove the filler cap. This system includes an electrical steering lock actuator: when
the bike is parked, the steering lock can be engaged at the press of a button. When you return to the
bike, the lock is automatically released at key-on.

Frame

The XDiavel features a steel tubular Trellis frame that employs the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262 as a
stressed chassis element. The frame is attached to the engine at the two cylinder heads, as is the shellcast
aluminium subframe. Also attached to the engine are two forged aluminium plates (these are
machine-finished on the S version) that embrace the swingarm. The lower part of the swingarm is cast,
while the upper Trellis section with a forged, removable part allows extraction of the transmission belt .
Although the XDiavel has a 1615 mm wheelbase, its agile chassis geometry and the possibility of
reaching lean angles as high as 40° on mixed-road routes ensure pure Ducati performance.
Suspension
At the front the XDiavel mounts 50 mm Marzocchi forks with black anodised sleeves, with fully
adjustable rebound and compression damping and spring pre-load (the S version also has fork tubes
with DLC coating). Damping compression and spring pre-load adjustment are on the left fork tube, while
rebound adjustment is located on the right tube. The XDiavel has cast aluminium slanted fork yokes with
risers that support aluminium alloy handlebars having a diameter of 32 mm with external rubbermounted
tubes having a diameter of 22 mm. With a headstock rake of 30° and an offset of 130 mm, the
XDiavel offers excellent front-end agility and feel, ensuring exceptional handling and a generous steering
lock.
At the rear, instead, the XDiavel mounts a Sachs monoshock – with adjustable spring-preload and
damping rebound – with a separate reservoir. Mounted almost horizontally, the shock absorber works in
concert with progressive linkage.

Brakes

At the front end of the XDiavel excellent braking performance is provided by Brembo brakes with M4 32
radial monobloc callipers (M50 on the S version); actuated by a PR18/19 radial brake pump featuring an
integrated aluminium reservoir; the calipers grip two 320 floating discs. At the rear, instead, a 265 mm
disc is braked by a 2-piston PF 30/32 calliper, again made by Brembo.
Tyres and wheels
The XDiavel mounts 14-spoke wheels. At the front end the bike sports a 3.5” x 17’’ wheel, at the rear an
8” x 17’’ one. On the XDiavel S, instead, exclusive machine-finished 12-spoke wheels bring design even
further to the fore.
The front wheel mounts a traditional 120/70 ZR17 tyre with a tread redesigned to maximise wet weather
performance. The rear tyre is a 240/45 ZR17. The bike comes with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres. To
provide increased grip when leaning hard into a bend yet still ensure excellent mileage, the impressive
rear tyre features both dual compound technology and EPT (Enhanced Patch Technology) to maximise
the contact area at any lean angle. Tread design and carefully selected compounds ensure exceptional
performance whatever the road conditions, especially in the wet.