Ducati Diavel V4 vs Ducati Diavel 1260 

This was my review when it first came out: So today my V4 Diavel order was delivered, I took my 1260S in happy to test drive the new bike and take it home. First, if you’re not interested in reading all of it, I came back home with my 1260s. My dealer is a very nice group of guys that really care about what you want and not just selling, I took the V4 for almost an hour and a half test ride, comparing the V4 to 1260s is like comparing oranges to apples, I don’t know why Ducati is calling the v4 the new version: 1- torque wise, both engines are two different beasts and set up, the V4 is a smooth linear output, you have to work the engine much harder to get that brutal output you get from the 1260s from the start. 2- seating and position: if you’re looking for a power cruiser, the V4 feels more like a monster than a Diavel, much slimmer, lighter, and more nimble. You feel like you’re more aggressive position with the V4, or more fetus position if that makes sense. 3- at a certain point I said I needed to switch to the sport mode riding the v4, after a long ride on my 1260s, to find that I was already in sport mode. Top speed maybe the v4 is a winner, but 0-60 I believe the 1260s will give you much more adrenaline. 4- basically the 1260s is a beast that you need to tame, the v4 is a sleeping beast that you need to wake up. The V4 is tuned more for racing, like beemers almost, the 1260s is brutal, more like the Rocket GT and Vmax 5- I am sure many people will love the reduced size and the nimble smooth delivery of the v4, but that is not me though, I will miss the torque, I love the 1260s and it felt like a downgrade to me, the v4 looks awesome, but also the 1260s is by no means an ugly bike. The L Twins is an engine that will be missed. I want to enjoy it more for now. I hope this helps if you’re looking at both bikes.

One thing about Ducati is, no matter how old people are, when they hear the roaring sound they will definitely look at the source and they sure lock their eyes for the super cool engine they’re staring at. I ride my 939 many places, wherever coffee shops I park for coffee, people are crowded to ask for the bike. This engine makes people cool

I came from a red Diavel 1260s with Termi exhaust to a red Diavel V4 with Akro exhaust (March 2023), so I know both very well and have to say that the V4 is now really a hyper naked rather than a muscle tourer like the 1260s. Love both bikes but the V4 handles and performs much better and I love the extended service intervals.

I bought one this winter, currently in the process of doing the same exhaust. Drove one last fall and was blown away at how light/maneuverable the bike was with that back tire. Can't wait for spring.

I had the opportunity to see this and hear this bike the day B4 Thanksgiving. You really must hear this thing IN PERSON to appreciate that exhaust. Yes, it might be considered pricey but the grin you get from it it absolutely worth it. Life is a highway. Ride it all night long!!!!!!

1260 V2 any day !

I'm a multiple Diavel owner. I traded my 1260s a year ago and missed it ever since. My Diavel V4 is arriving Sunday. At first, I thought the 1260s looked better but when I saw the V4 in person, it quickly became the best looking bike I've seen. Can't wait until Sunday.

It’s NOT two years service interval because the dash lights up annually and you’re then forced to go to the dealer and get it serviced! Only they can clear the dash warning etc.

I took delivery of mine a couple weeks ago. Great bike. As for that Akro exhaust, that's a big ticket $$ item that adds marginal value and kicks the price up into the mid-30's. JMHO.

The 1260 is so better looking. It's got that raw beast look that the Diavel always had. That's lost on the looks of the new one. Shame, but I'm expecting a redesign from Ducati in the near future

Amazing bike! I was never a Diavel fan, but this V4 just changed my mind. Would be nice to have 1 next to my Panigale V4 and my 2021 Monster+. If I have the money this would 100% be my next bike!

Side by side this video has highlighted to me how much better looking the 1260S is. I couldnt stop looking at the 1260S when he was talking about the V4

I love my red 2023 Ducati Diavel V4. Since March I have put over 14,000 miles. I put the Termignoni Dragster Titanium exhaust on mine and Upmapped it. It literally spits fire now. I love it. My biggest challenge is not rear ending cars on the freeway it's so fast. And I love the quick shifter. Slow Rider out.

I miss stopping by and visiting as well as looking at all the bikes. The 2015 Diavel was a great feeling for me but I never rode a superbike so can't compare it to say a street fighter. The handling I thought was bad once I got more comfortable with it but still interested in the 1260 and now the V4. Hopefully early next year before summer I can arrange to buy one. Would be great to see the shop again as well.

I love my red Ducati Diavel V4, I already have over 13,000 miles on mine. I installed the Termignoni Dragster Titanium Exhaust on mine and it sounds AWESOME! Slow Rider Ducati.

Oh my! This is a piece of art. The 916 was stunning and this is in that category. So the bike next to it is a V twin and this one is a V4? The V twin seems to have the trellis frame but the V 4 does not. Is that correct? I need to look at the price differences again, I may not have caught it. But you recommend the V4? Right? Thanks, I enjoyed your enthusiasm.

Great video and perspective. Very informative

Sounds awesome with that exhaust. My neighbors LOVE the sound of the Termi full race exhaust (de-cat) on my DesertX. One smashed a brick through the window JUST to hear it better. 🤔

Amazing, I want!

What an amazing sound. Beautiful bike.

In INDIA 🇮🇳 This exhaust cost 8,435 thousand dollars 💸

V4 is a great bike no doubt, I test rode one, but 30 grand after fees and taxes is just too much. I dont like the cylinder shut off. I’ll keep my XDiavel

In my opinion, this is the nicest bike on the market today that's not built for racing. If I could afford it I would buy it.

what an impressive machine

Thank you for taking the time to contrast the 1260S and the V4. They’ve taken the Diavel in a new direction indeed. Having ridden both recently (I own a 1260S) I can confirm the V4 looks better in red and in the flesh. I found the all black swallowed of the nest styling details. There is no denying the V4 is more nimble than the 1260S and having a much higher redline meant the power/torque was spread over a greater range. It just lacked the brutal punch of the 1260 DVT motor which always makes me laugh and swear every time I ride it. Probably the most disappointing thing with the V4 is the lack of electronic suspension. For the price point, the Streetfighter V4S, Panigale S & Multistrada all have electronic suspension. I freely admit being a one eyed 1260S owner. The V4 was nice but with the eye watering cost of the akra pipe and other accessories this is a Aussie dollar $50,000+ bike here. That’s a lot of coin.

The key in the gas tank is so old style why?

What kind of windscreen can you get with it? Heated grips, heated seats?

I’ve seen the V4 in person. 1260S is better by miles. The V4 looks like a hodgepodge of plastics and mismatched design language. The V4’s rear wheel looks terrible compared to the deep concave of the 1260S. The trellis, the slopes and swoops of the design on the 1260S alone make it look spectacular. The power delivery on the 1260S with the termi and factory upmap is excellent. It’s brutal, vulgar, and full tilt. The V4 is more of the docile commuter here than the 1260S regardless of the V4s tech and power figures. That’s not to say the V4 is a slouch, just not the soul of the Diavel namesake. Respectfully have to disagree with the sentiment here. I’m going to attribute the commentary to just pushing to sell the new current model. Full disclaimer though, I waited until the V4 came out and instead found a ‘23 1260S black and steel thankfully.

In this vid the intakes are not even. Am I seeing things? 6:37

Marty, I respect your opinion, and if you say it is a great bike, it must be. But I am struggling to get over the fake plastic cylinder over the real rear cylinder. It seems out of place on a bike with a tough, hardcore, power cruiser image. Hard to imagine on a Harley or BMW R18.

Friend has one. It's fkn badass.

After taxes and dealer fees, this bike is over $30k, pushing 40 if you add that exhaust. I just can't justify paying that much for a bike with this much plastic and exposed wiring on it. It looks cheap. Also, they try to sell you on the 9,000+ mile service intervals, but what he fails to mention is that if you don't get it serviced at a Ducati dealership annually, an unremovable service light comes on your dash and Ducati will use that as an excuse to not honor their 2 yr warranty.

The v4 has cylinder deactivation under 2000rpm...............i assume for better fuel economy

Hmmm? I have had both the Diavel 1260S and Multistrada 1260S and they were both great bikes. But the way you talk about the new V4, it sounds like its a completely different bike and the 1260S is useless now. I found that super hard to believe. Perhaps if you drive the new bike on a race track, you would feel some differences, but not out on the normal roads.....

HEY!? I ONCE'D KNEW GUYS WHO! RODE DRUNK!! SO I'AM A LITTLE SHY! BUT THE BIKE IS BEAUTIFUL!!! & IT TEMP'S ME!!!.

Gosh that tail light!

Performances ? 1260s not powerful enough for daily cruising ? 😜

For a muscle cruiser bike, its too much plastict cover

We want the same aggresive sound on multi 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Can a person who is 5.3 feet tall reach the flat-feet ground level on this bike?"

I never ever gave the Diavel 2nd look before this 2023 redesign. It went from a hideous ugly duckling to a level 11 super model…..

This is the ugliest ducati diavel design