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,” explains the team at Ducati Design responsible for the project.
“ The Diavel is a true Ducati,
born from a passion
for motorcycling and designed
to deliver authentic Ducati
performance in every respect. ”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ago, the Diavel now follows the same Bolognese tradition, shaping the future of motorcycling while staying faithful to its heritage.
