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BIKES: 2013 Ducati Diavel
The shape of power and style
Ducati Communications  |  Posted October 16, 2012   Cupertino, CA
With its 162hp and colossal 94lb-ft (127.5Nm) of torque, the Diavel Testastretta 11° engine is all about authentic Ducati Desmodromic performance. (Photo: Ducati)
The Ducati Diavel was first introduced to an excited public at the 2010 Milan International Motorcycle Show and has since amazed motorcyclists the world over, collecting awards along the way to become one of Ducati’s most desired models. The innovative machine combines decades of twin-cylinder heritage and Italian style and rolls into 2013 with an exciting line-up that sees the flagship Diavel Carbon now exclusively in carbon red and the standard Diavel in three stunning new colour versions: The Diavel Dark in matte black with black-finished componentry and two “street-sport” schemes that introduce metallic blue or Ducati red with stylish white stripes, white wheels and special defining features.

Custom shop beauty, state-of-the-art technology, innovative design and extraordinary riding pleasure are masterfully blended into the Diavel, a motorcycle that has now set a new benchmark in the sport cruiser segment, just reward for the innovative designers and engineers that created it.

Built to have a commanding presence, though lightweight and agile like all Ducatis, the Diavel takes the man-motorcycle relationship to the next level in absolute comfort. For connoisseurs of technology, ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Riding Modes deliver a confidence-inspiring sophistication while stunning looks, 162hp and 205kg* (452lb) of authentic Ducati performance drives a comfortable sport lifestyle that could only be dreamt of before.

Merging the worlds of power and style has never been achieved with such convincing precision. A specially engineered 240 section rear tyre combined with famous Ducati chassis technology serves up mind-blowing handling and lean angles which defy the laws of physics, whether carving through curves on your favourite road or just riding out for a night on the town.

DIAVEL DESIGN
Basic instincts
The Diavel project was born when Ducati designers applied their wish-list of bike “basic instincts” to a blank canvas. With a “what if?” approach to creating a dream bike, they sketched inspiring shapes which became a lower and longer motorcycle.

“The challenge of building a muscular silhouette over a pure-bred competition motor had to be met with determination and a delicate touch, and the result is a frontal area that looks like a power athlete on the starting blocks,” explained the team at Ducati Design responsible for the project. “With the front wheel kept close to the Diavel’s body and using the short tail of a sport bike, we were able to blend this muscular design with a chassis that matched.”

If the stance of a Streetfigher is that of “anger,” the stance of the Diavel is of readiness, dominance, and confidence bordering on superiority. With lateral radiators adding muscle to its broad “shoulders,” which then taper down across the engine and into the belly-fairing with oil cooler, the athlete took shape.

A massive 240 section rear tyre was a perfect example of how Diavel designers used a no-compromise attitude when applying their wish list of features. The sheer width of rubber communicates so much power and style that the R&D team vowed to find a way to make it handle - even if they knew the image would send a seismic shock through the industry.

Ducati’s philosophy for innovation has always been to push the boundaries of design in the name of exciting motorcycles. Sometimes “gut feelings” are what count, and having the strength to commit to them shows the kind of bravery that has guided Ducati to World Championships. The Diavel is a true Ducati, born from a passion for motorcycling and designed to deliver authentic Ducati performance in every respect.

“Diavel”
The name “Diavel” was inspired by the Bolognese dialect word for “devil”. One day, early in the development process of the bike, the first prototype was assembled and wheeled out in front of a group of Ducati engineers and technicians who were viewing the complete motorcycle for the first time. One person looking from the rear of the bike saw its silhouette and exclaimed in Bolognese dialect: “Ignurànt comm’ al diavel!” Which means: “Evil, just like the devil!”
Reminiscent of how the “Monster” was named almost 20 years before, the Diavel now follows the same Bolognese tradition, shaping the future of motorcycling while staying faithful to its heritage.

Rider and passenger comfort
The Diavel’s twin-level seat is wide, comfortable and beautifully shaped to fit the flowing lines of the machine and at 770mm (30.3in), has one of the lowest seat heights in the Ducati range. That low seating position, in addition to a low slung chassis set-up that weighs in at just 210kg (463lb) - 205kg (452lb) for the Diavel Carbon - enables the rider to get both feet on the ground for a sure-footed and confident stance. The seat also comes with a beautifully shaped and easily removable single seat cover, which is formed in carbon fibre on the Diavel Carbon.

Passengers on the Diavel will appreciate the way the slender passenger footpegs ingeniously fold down from the rear sub-frame as well as the innovative, T-bar shaped grab-rail assembly, which slides out from the rear of the seat. Deployed from a mechanism under the seat, the grab-rail provides a comfortable and confidence-inspiring grip for the passenger, while the shape perfectly blends into the lines of the tail-piece when retracted. Both passenger-friendly features are crafted in forged aluminium and shot-peened for strength and uniform finish before being black anodised to become almost invisible when folded away.

Lighting
The Diavel uses two clear vertical strips of LED lighting to provide tail and brake light illumination as well as directional indicators. The strips follow the precise line of the under-seat panelling, providing great visibility of the rear-end while keeping the external lines of the bike clean. The front directional indicators are clear lens LED strips mounted vertically down the leading edge of the lateral radiator covers.

The headlamp gives the Diavel immediate Ducati identity and is supported by an aluminium outer body. The light uses high and low beam double reflectors to illuminate the road ahead, in addition to incorporating a horizontal strip of LED positioning lights for optimum visibility.

Innovative number plate mount
Employing the 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 and Ducati signature Trellis framework around the 240 section rear tyre, 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 creating a clean feature around the rear of the seat. This design solution represents the first of its kind and an example of the incredible attention to the Diavel’s detail.
Fuel tank and air Intakes

The Diavel’s 17l (4.5 gal US) fuel tank represents an integral part of the bike’s overall styling. Its wide, long lines sweep down from the headlamp assembly into the seat and rear sub-frame to create a seamless profile. While the focal point of the tank is the high resolution display panel, the steel tank skin and well-
sculpted knee panels add a solid feel to the Diavel and a high tech composite look to the Diavel Carbon.

On each side of the front of the tank are massive air intakes formed in aluminium to feed the engine’s large airbox. Their design is completely functional and contributes to the 162hp produced by the Diavel Testastretta 11° power plant.

Controls
The Diavel handlebar shape and arrangement leaves the rider feeling comfortable and in command. Wide, tapered section aluminium bars with new custom designed, integral brake and clutch master-cylinders by Brembo complete with milled reservoir tops, provide a clean and minimalist set-up, while stylish, forged- aluminium supported mirrors deliver a generous view to the rear.

Switchgear control uses Ducati’s minimalistic design with slim-line bodies housing easy-to-use switches and buttons and a unique weapons-like “trigger catch” that slides down to cover the starter button when activating the kill-switch. While the indicator cancel button doubles as a scroll-and-select for fast and easy Riding Mode changes, switches above and below serve to navigate the high-resolution display control panel.
Diavel colours and defining features

The Diavel now offers three stunning new colour versions with special defining features. Firstly, the Diavel Dark in sophisticated matte black and further stealth-enhanced with DLC-coated black fork sliders, black- anodised tank-side air-ducts, and black-finished silencers, foot control pedals, bars, mirrors and headlamp body. Additionally, two “street-sport” schemes introduce metallic blue or Ducati red with stylish white stripes, colour-matched Trellis frames and white wheels and feature tank-side air-ducts in natural aluminium and carbon fibre radiator panels. All three colour versions are also equipped with vintage-style, horizontally- ribbed seat upholstery. The Diavel Carbon, now exclusively in stunning “red carbon” (gloss red over matte carbon weave) with red frame rolls on black wheels, turned and milled to expose the natural aluminium below.

Click the Image below to see the Ducati photos



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