Indeed, more than ever, it’s a devil in disguise that’s essentially two bikes in one. But unlike with some other new Ducati models, sales of this dark-side desmo didn’t boom initially, only to fall away in succeeding years, but have instead flat-lined year after year as more converts to the cause switched to this bike.įor the Diavel, 1260 S, on which I spent a glorious early summer day scooting around the Apennine Mountains south of Bologna along such legendary roads as the Raticosa and Futa Passes, is the very devil of a performance cruiser. The Diavel’s enjoyed undoubted commercial success, with 70,000 examples sold so far since production began eight years ago. Photography by Milagro, Marco Zamponi 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 S Review | Dancing with the Devil Click here to read this in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.

And thanks to the introduction of the updated 2019 remake of the model, it still is. It was a completely new take on riding, a blend of superbike performance and custom cool that was totally irrational, and gloriously addictive.

The Diavel’s new aesthetic is even more muscular than before, but it’s also more refined.ĭucati’s introduction of the aptly named Diavel power cruiser back in 2011 represented an unexpected visit to the dark side for many dedicated Ducatisti, who at first sight scorned what they saw as the famed Italian sportbike manufacturer’s attempt to cash in on the rampant global cruiser cult.īut that was before they rode it, at which point it became evident that, in living up to its name (the Italian word for devil, Diavolo, mutates to Diavel in the distinctive dialect of Bologna, Ducati’s home town), this was one of the most successful examples of two-wheeled original thought to hit the marketplace this century. Here’s our 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 S Review.

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