Or, to put it another way: the Diavel does to the cruiser bike class pretty much – if not more – what Ducati’s Multistrada did to the adventure bike class last year. It adds a degree of performance and sports ability to a class of bike where it simply didn’t exist before. 

Testastretta 11º engine is essentially identical to that of the Multistrada 1200. Different exhaust and airbox, however, liberates 12 extra bhp to produce a peak bhp of 162 enough for it to be quicker even than the 1198 0-100kph. Fuelling is and delivery is perfect, switchable riding modes (engine maps) allows a choice between Urban (100bhp), Touring (soft 162bhp) or Sports (sharp 162bhp) maps, making it not just fiendishly potent, but practical and versatile, too.

We can’t quite get our heads around how Ducati has managed it, considering the Diavel’s long, low cruiser gait and fat back tyre, but this bike steers and sweeps and scratches and stops almost – almost – as good as a super naked. It’s that good. It steers perfectly neutrally and holds its line without complaint or (amazingly) decking out – and boy we tried. Its ride is smooth and controlled, the suspension exuding strength and quality. And the brakes are simply awesome. Sports bikes WILL be humbled by the Diavel.

Tons of high tech as standard, including ABS, DTC (traction control) the riding modes system, TFT instruments, top spec brakes, not to mention a ‘car-style’ keyless ignition, novel LED head, tail and ‘strip’ indicator lights, footpegs with detachable rubbers, billet mirrors and a large diameter exhaust which includes not one but two lambda sensors, a catalytric converter and an power valve. High tech? The Diavel’s certainly got it…

Too early to pronounce on reliability, although recent Ducatis are generally much improved with extended 15,000-mile service intervals, but quality certainly impresses: all the wiring and hosing is neatly hidden away; the raised badging is mouthwateringly tactile; all the surfaces are either glossy paint, saucy carbon fibre or mouthwateringly milled aluminium; the fold-away pillion pegs and retractable grab handle are exquisite, I could go on..

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/diavel/index.do

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducati_Diavel

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/ducati-diavel/ke3688.html