Monte Carlo, Monaco. With its sinister good looks and an eye-catching design, the 2015 Ducati Diavel is even more devilish than before.

The Bologna based motorcycle manufacturer unveiled their latest iteration of the sport cruiser earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. It is now it’s ready for consumption. And to get a slice of it first-hand in the streets of Monte Carlo and southern France, well this was just the deal I am happy to have made with it.


What’s new for 2015? A few things. Despite sharing the same 1,198 cc displacement as the outgoing model, the heart of the amended Diavel is Ducati’s new Testastretta 11° DS engine. It still puts out 162 horsepower but torque has increased to 96.2 lb-ft. With the revised air intake and exhaust ports, you get generous bottom-end torque, but still feel its glory throughout the rev range.

Aesthetically, there is a new full LED headlamp along with the surrounding parts, an integrated windscreen, an exhaust system with short exhaust pipes to highlight the rear wheel, and side-stand TFT instrumentation icons. A new fuel gauge is added, which addresses a complaint from before. Now you don’t have to fret about how much gas you have left. Just keep riding!

The massive 240-section rear tire has been a topic of conversation for those who have ridden it. They either love it or don’t. Take into consideration the sport DNA that Ducati is know for, but also understand this bike isn’t going after people who really want a Panigale instead. Or maybe they already have one and want something more comfortable to ride everyday!

As for trying to lean the bike over, it is completely capable on all fronts. The mountain roads of southern France are anything but straight. I could easily sum up the riding environment with hairpin turn after hairpin turn. Throw some switchbacks in there for good measure and you get the picture…

The heart of the amended Diavel is Ducati’s new Testastretta 11° DS engine. It puts out 162 horsepower but torque has increased to 96.2 lb-ft. (Photo: Milagro)

For the times at which you don’t need the full, sporty blast of the Diavel’s prowess, you can switch the riding modes on the fly. Sport mode gives you everything at the twist of a wrist. Touring mode still gives you access to the 162 horses but with a more linear delivery and a higher traction control level. Then urban mode reduces horsepower to 100 and is ideal for the times when cruising around, in Monte Carlo for example, and not embarrass yourself with too much throttle input. This is also great for adverse weather conditions.

As for traction control, you have eight levels of interaction or lack thereof. The scale works out as follows: 8 is “bike knows best” mode, and one, “I know best (or at least I think I do)” mode.

This was not my first rodeo with the Diavel. This particular model was the newly appointed Carbon White model. It drops a few pounds because of its carbon-clad parts but retains all the magic. The base Diavel weighs in at 210 kg whereas the Carbon model is 205 kg (452 lbs.)

The low seat height 770 mm (30.3-inches) allows riders of all sizes to access it. Not to mention, there’s also a low seat option, too. Speaking of seats, the Diavel’s new one is designed for rider comfort. If you decide you want to ride into the sunset, your bum is less likely to go numb with the revised padding.

The Carbon model drops a few pounds because of its carbon-clad parts but retains all the magic. The base Diavel weighs in at 210 kg whereas the Carbon model is 205 kg. (Photo: Milagro)

Overall, I love this bike. It looks scary but the intimidation factor is taken away when you start riding. For its girth, it is quite straightforward to manage and I like that you sit in the bike, not on it.

Even though the updates don’t make the 2015 Diavel exceptionally different than before, it’s a better bike all around.

Pros:

• Fuel gauge is standard
• New seat is much better for longer rides
• Accommodates riders of all sizes

Cons:

• Awkward placement of on/off switch