Ducati Diavel V4: bikesales Bike of the Year 2023 finalist

A casual motorcycle observer would struggle to keep up with Ducati these days, as the company’s appetite for new models, updates and tweaks is bordering on insatiable.

No complaints, mind you, as the new Ducati Diavel V4 recently made it down under and we pulled some swift moves to expedite a quick spin in Sydney with the 2023 BOTY shortlisting firmly in the back of our minds.

And we’re glad we pulled out all stops, because the combination of a massive weight loss (13kg) and the fitment of the Granturismo V4 to replace the ageing Testastretta V-twin has resulted in a seismic shift for the better. It has always been a potent motorcycle, but it’s now gone to another level.

The only unanswered question – and this will probably be talked about ad nauseum during the week-long BOTY mega test through the peaks and valleys of north-east Victoria – is what exactly is the Diavel? Power cruiser? Naked? Roadster? Let’s settle on muscle bike, because it looks like a gym junkie…

On the basis that it’s remarkably agile and handles superbly for a 240kg machine, the Diavel V4 has the DNA to appeal to a wide variety of potential Ducati customers – although the price tag will undoubtedly filter some out.

It will also pique the interest of those who are technology buffs, as the Diavel is just about a full-house affair save for semi-active suspension and radar cruise control. The rest is there, which the excellent TFT menu will guide you through.

There’s also cylinder deactivation – from four to two – below 4000rpm or when the throttle inputs are mild, so the Diavel V4 isn’t just all about making short work of corners and punchy straights: the temperament can change from furious to mellow (or vice versa) in the blink of an eye.

It’s not quite a loose change affair at $41,100 ride away, but is it value for money? The answer is yes, but that’s different from value to the masses.

Separate those two notions and it puts the retail price in a new context. And for the outlay, you get gold standard in every metric – and the V4 engine is probably worth three-quarters of the admission price alone.

Yep, it’s that good, and every slice, every wedge of the Diavel V4 – like the tech, the suspension, the lustrous paint, swoopy five-spoke wheels and Brembo Stylema brakes – ooze quality and blue-chip performance, which is what you pay for.

Shortly after editor Dylan had wedged himself into the Diavel V4’s solo seat, he was an unequivocal fan.

“In the tech department, the rider aids and TFT menu system are superb, and everything does its job perfectly,” he said. “The menu system is a bit fiddly, but that can be forgiven, because with cornering ABS, cornering traction control, multiple ride modes, launch control, cruise control, wheelie control, smartphone connectivity, and a two-way quickshifter, the Diavel feels both incredibly safe and advanced.

“And the brakes? Well, the Brembo gear is about as good as it gets for a road-legal bike.”

He concluded: “The Ducati Diavel V4 may be one-of-a-kind, but it is a winner. It one of those rare machines that strays a long way outside the well-trodden path, but still manages to tick all the right boxes. It has a beautiful engine, a surprisingly agile chassis, and loads of tech.”

Price: $41,100 ride away
Engine: 1158cc V4
Output: 168hp (124kW) at 10,750rpm, 126Nm at 7500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Weight: 240kg (wet)
Seat height: 790mm
Fuel capacity: 20 litres