2013 Ducati Diavel Strada | Preview

Ducati Diavel Strada

There’s performance, then there’s Ducati performance. And although the Diavel is far removed from Ducati’s usual suspects of high-performance superbike machinery, it still delivers the performance known from the Bologna-based manufacturer.

And could there be a better name for Ducati’s first assault on the power-cruiser market than Diavel, which is local Borgo Panigale dialect for “devil,” pronounced dee-ah-vel?

Entering its third year of existence, the Diavel has remained relatively unchanged in chassis/engine design. Although there were a few special-edition models that offered enhanced aesthetics, such as the Chromo and the Carbon, not much else changed.

But for 2013, Ducati has enhanced the Diavel lineup with the Diavel Strada. The model sticks to Ducati’s usage of the “Strada” extension (think Multistrada and the new Hyperstrada), bringing some touring manors to its cruiser.

Speaking of the 2013 Diavel Strada, Ducati says “the new model, specifically designed for longer journeys, has been factory-accessorized with touring-friendly components that enable all-day riding comfort for both rider and passenger.”

Starting from the front, Ducati upgraded the Diavel Strada with a windscreen that provides the needed protection from the oncoming air and the elements while not taking away from the bike’s design.

Ducati added 15mm (0.6 inches) higher handlebars that are pushed back a farther 60mm (2.36 inches) to improve the ergonomics, and also added a larger seat with revised cushioning and passenger backrest for additional comfort. The passenger receives further comfort from a set of easy-to-reach grab rails and more optimally positioned footpegs.

Further touring amenities arrive from heated grips, an enhanced generator, and two auxiliary power outlets intended for heated clothing or navigation accessories.

And of course, when touring, luggage space is needed. Ducati equips the Diavel Strada with 41 liters of side luggage that, like the windscreen, don’t take away from the bike’s design. On the subject of style, Ducati also tastefully revised the rear lighting assembly.

Due to the accessories, the Ducati Diavel Strada gains 13 lbs. over the standard model for a total dry weight of 476 lbs.

Unlike the standard Diavel, color choices on the Strada are not an option. The Ducati Diavel Strada arrives in one color scheme – titanium with a racing black frame, black wheels and black side luggage.

Everything else is typical Ducati Diavel – a Testastretta 11-degree engine that pushes 162 horsepower and the latest in Ducati technology offered as standard equipment: ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Riding Modes.

The 1198cc desmo engine pushes 162 horsepower and an asphalt-tearing 94 ft. lbs. of torque. For more streetability, the Diavel’s engine features 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.

Ducati says: “The increase in bottom-end torque is managed by Ducati’s Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system to considerably enhance the Diavel’s effortless ridability, while ensuring plenty of power remains on tap for high-rpm riding.”

The desmo is hooked to a six-speed transmission with a slipper clutch that features a “super-light” feel at the lever.

The engine breaths through Mitsubishi electronic fuel injection system with Mikuni elliptical throttle bodies and Ride-by-Wire, and massive 58mm exhaust headers the lead into a 2-1-2 system.

Ducati also used advanced materials and engineering on the Diavel’s engine, which allowed service intervals to be increased to 15,000 miles.

As for riding modes, the Diavel features three – Urban, which reduces power to 100 horespower and DTC to five for stop-and go traffic; Touring, which allows 162 horsepower administered at a user-friendly pace, and a level four DTC setting; and Sport, which releases all 162 horsepower with full-on throttle response, and a level 3 traction control for “riders who prefer their performance a little closer to the traction limit.”

The chassis features a Ducati Trellis frame for torsional rigidity and an aluminum single-sided swingarm. Up front, the Diavel utilizes 50mm Marzocchi forks that are fully adjustable.

Stopping the Diavel are dual 320mm discs squeezed by Brembo Monoblock four-piston calipers up front, with a single 265mm disc out back squeezed by a two-piston caliper. The brakes are enhanced with the most compact, Ducati Bosch-Brembo ABS system as original equipment. Ducati says: “Top Brembo components combined with Bosch ABS, the special Diavel chassis configuration and Pirelli’s Enhanced Patch Technology (EPT) result in a braking performance even greater than that of the awesome Ducati Superbikes.”

The Ducati Diavel Strada rolls on 14-spoke wheels (3.5″ X 17″ front, 8″ X 17″ back), with a massive 240/45 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso II out back.

Styling is further enhanced by those huge lateral radiators on both sides of the Diavel. Speaking of these radiators, Ducati says: “The technical solution employed for keeping the frontal lines of the Diavel clean was to place two highly efficient lateral radiators on both sides of the bike.

“These well-ducted units, located beneath the fuel tank, use aerodynamics to help draw air flow through the radiators and are assisted by high-flow electric fans when required. The design combines form and function to enhance the muscular shape of the bike.”

Following are the specs and MSRP for the 2013 Ducati Diavel Strada.

2013 Ducati Diavel Strada Specs:

Engine:

  • Type: Testastretta 11°, L-Twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled
  • Displacement: 1198.4cc
  • Bore x Stroke: 106 x 67.9mm
  • Compression ratio: 11.5:1
  • Power: 162hp (119kW) @ 9500rpm
  • Torque: 94lb-ft (127.5Nm) @ 8000rpm
  • Fuel injection: Mitsubishi electronic fuel injection system, Mikuni elliptical throttle bodies with RbW
  • Exhaust: Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and two lambda probes. Twin aluminum mufflers
  • Transmission: 6 speed
  • Drive: Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 43
  • Clutch: Light action, wet, multiplate clutch with hydraulic control. Self-servo action on drive, slipper action on over-run.

Chassis:

  • Frame: Tubular steel Trellis frame
  • Wheelbase: 1590mm (62.6in)
  • Rake: 28°
  • Front suspension: Marzocchi 50mm fully adjustable usd forks
  • Front wheel travel: 120mm (4.7in)
  • Front wheel: 14-spoke in light alloy 3.50 x 17
  • Front Tire: 120/70 ZR 17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso II
  • Rear suspension: Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Sachs monoshock. Aluminum single-sided swingarm
  • Rear wheel travel: 120mm (4.7in)
  • Rear wheel: 14-spoke in light alloy 8.00 x 17
  • Rear tire: 240/45 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso II
  • Front brake: 2 x 320mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Monobloc Brembo calipers, 4-piston with ABS
  • Rear brake: 265mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper with ABS
  • Fuel tank capacity: 17l – (4.5 US gal)
  • Wet weight: 245kg (540 lbs.)
  • Dry weight: 216kg (476 lb.)
  • Instruments: Handlebar mounted instrumentation with LCD display: speed, rpm, time, coolant temp. Warning lights for: Neutral, turn signals, high-beam, rev-limit, DTC intervention, ABS status, oil pressure, fuel reserve. Tank mounted instrumentation with TFT color display: gear selected, air temp, battery voltage, trips 1 & 2, fuel reserve trip, average and actual fuel consumption and speed, trip time, scheduled maintenance. Full status and/or management of Riding Modes, DTC, RbW and ABS.
  • Seat height: 770mm (30.3in)
  • DTC (Ducati Traction Control): Standard equipment
  • ABS: Standard equipment
  • Accessories: dual seat, touring screen, heated grips, touring seat, passenger back- rest, 2 x auxiliary power outlets, side luggage

2013 Ducati Diavel Strada Color Options/MSRP:

  • Titanium / $19,495

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.