Ducati Diavel priced from $25,490

The 162hp (119kW) Ducati Diavel power cruiser has been confirmed for Australian arrival in March, 2011 and will be priced from $25,490 ride away.

Speaking to NF Importers, the local Ducati distributor, the Bikesales Network understands that two models of the muscle bike will be offered.

The 'standard' Diavel (pronounced 'dee-ahhh-vul') will arrive in April 2011 priced from $25,490 ride away, and includes all the electronic aids, such the three adjustable engine power maps, plus traction control and ABS. These standard models will be offered in red and white, and possibly black at a later date.

Interestingly, the 'carbon' models don't get uprated suspension, adding visually appealing forged wheels that reduce unsprung weight (saving 3kg), and coated front forks. It will be priced at $30,990 for the black-on-black colour, and $31,490 (ride-away prices) for the black-on-red colour scheme featuring a red frame and pin striping.

The Ducati Diavel carbon models will be on sale in Australia during March, ahead of the standard models, and already more than a dozen of the power cruisers have been spoken for. And the word on the street is that interest in the new model is high.

A Ducati source told the Bikesales Network: "People are coming to us, Harley-Davidson people, and seeing that this bike can out handle and out brake and even out sprint most H-D models. And with a bold new style, we believe a lot of traditional H-D buyers will be taking one of these for a test ride."

Powered by an 1198cc 'Testastretta' 11° engine, the Ducati Diavel's liquid-cooled, eight-valve, superbike derived engine features ride-by-wire throttle technology and boasts three engine modes for different riding scenarios - Sport, Touring and Urban.

In Sport mode the engine pumps out an impressive 162hp (119kW) and 127Nm of torque, enough twist to move the bike's 210kg mass with ease. There's also the chilled out Urban mode, which reduces maximum power to 100hp (74kW), perfect if your mate wants to take it for a ride...

The instrument cluster is an LCD jobbie and keyless ignition will also be offered. On top of traction control and ABS, the Ducati Diavel comes with fully-adjustable 50mm Marzocchi upside down forks and a fully-adjustable, horizontal Sachs monoshock. Add powerful Brembo brakes to the chassis equation and we could be looking at a very agile cruiser.

We'll get our hands on one as soon as possible and publish the full review in due course.

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