Quick little video and some first thoughts on our trip across the pond to California for the press launch of Ducati's brand new X Diavel. More detailed story to come on www.44teeth.com (Cameo by the legend of Shakey Byrne at the start ;)
casually chatting with Shakey, Guy Martin, John McWilliams... etc etc. Massive congrats are in order for you and Al, you've both worked your asses off to bring this all to us and deserve all of it!
Great review Baron! The content of 44Teeth is getting more and more interesting... As for the bike, it looks awesome! But I'm not sure it's the future of cruisers. We could have thought the same about the Yamaha VMax or the Harley VRod when they were introduced on the market. As you know, cruiser riders are usually pretty conservative (it's not a criticism...).
+MrKiddo While I agree that cruiser guys are usually pretty conservative (I own a dyna myself), it really depends on the market you are talking about, the V-ROD/Night Rod Special is a damn good seller here in Brazil, last I checked it was the top selling HD in 2013/14, while the touring models usually dominate the US market. However, aside from a similar riding position, these XDiavels are on another level tech-wise. While both the v-rod and vmax have a similar formula: an agressive look, higher performance engine (compared to the old TC96/103/110 models) and such, they are still very heavy and somewhat tech free. These XDiavels are smaller, over a 100 lbs lighter, have traction control, better lean angle, different riding modes, better suspension, basically a lot of the bells and whistles you'd only find on a high end big trail or sportsbike. There is definitely a market for it and it helps that they come with a Ducati pedigree.
You guys are really hitting your stride now! What I love about this channel is that you ave taken a step away from the turgid bike reviews you get elsewhere, whilst still keeping it informative and down to earth. The hard work is definitely paying off, and is certainly appreciated!
Press launch, roaming reporter BvG....awesome, really enjoyed that. I'm so pleased you've not gone all 'formal' still have you style of Vlog, with great content/review to take in AND be entertained.....bike manufacturers take note! Send those invites out....all expenses paid!
Nice to see Shakey at the beginning Baron. A real hero on a motorcycle, not many are gifted with bike craft like his. Do you ever have to reality check in these sorts of situations? haha
You inspired me to test this bike out... Twice... First wheelie, not bad for a Harley guy :). Pretty sure I'm gonna buy it now - simply cozy and powerful!
I'm from San Diego and I've ridden all those roads. What's strange is that they seemed to have guided you away from all the best motorcycle roads! I guess because the Diavel isn't a sports bike and they just wanted to cruise, but wow, you missed some of the best roads in California. Too bad. Cool video non the less .
+Bernardo Santos That is not irony. When did everyone stop understanding what the word ironic means? Ironic doesn't mean facetious or sarcastic, nor does it mean coincidental...
Liked your conclusion that is the future of cruisers. Great to see you evolving to this role of making reviews, well done you have all my support Baron!!! I think it will be a bike that will overwhelm many cruiser riders, because it is fast (I know I had a Diavel), so people tend to get intimidated by it.
Looks like it's pretty much just the pegs that limit the lean angle. I wouldn't be surprised if when Rizoma comes out with sets for forward and mid it bumps that up a few degrees. @7:05 is what I was waiting for.
You probably need to have the pegs further forward then you could grip the tank easier most likely. I didn't like the first Diavel much as I cant stand cleaning chains and love having feet forward, this new machine with belt and forward controls has me interested for sure. Nice review Baron, thanks!
There's a real market opening up for these modern cruisers, Kawasaki did a budget version with their ER6 engine, Vulcan S, let's hope manufacturers keep it up and it takes off
I've got the same issues with the false neutrals on my 1200 monster as well. You just get used to the required pressure on the gear shifter after a while but indeed it's annoying.
Thank you! Finally a bike review that doesn't use the marketing waffle as the script! As for the Black Widows~ I think that is the reason I've never tried the Diavel, but up to this moment I wasn't sure why. Great video.
Dukes of Hazzard?! CA is about as far from the deep south as possible. Hopefully, having been born and raised in the deep south. In designing the bike around the engine, it seems to me Ducati is not only trying to break into the American cruiser market, but to redefine what a cruiser is and can do, while totally kicking American cruiser market share in the ass in the process. I like your videos, look forward to demo riding the XDiavel when it gets here on the demo tour. You not only entertain, but educate. Keep up the great work!
Lets hope you get to hop on the Livewire project Baron. Theres a few new cruisers coming which raise the bar away from the typical old style. For me its probably the sexiest bike possible after a couple of mods
Good review Monsieur Grumble. It was honest and not just a Ducati jizz off. I have the current Diavel and won't be changing it for the cruiser xD. I get Ducati want to crack the US and good luck to them. Loving 44teeth too.
Great video, just surprised you went to attend San Diego but didn't get invited to one in Italy which would make more sense and it's closer too, or maybe you fancied flying all the way out to SD... Great video!
I was wondering how they were going to get around the law with the tyre being the furthest bit sticking out. Nice idea wrapping it around like that. Does that conform to UK law too? Excellent video too!
I think a big part of the appeal of a cruiser is the heritage and the fact they're unchanged, so not sure the Diavel will convince cruiser purists to switch their allegiance. However it may convince riders who appeciate cruiser ergonomics but want cutting edge modern technology. They seem to be selling well in NZ so Ducati are doing something right.
Great review of the X-Diavel. I wondered how it was. Sort of bummed out that we didn't get to grab that coffee, but I understand you are a very busy man. Safe travels! Looking forward for the next video. :)
+Boris on Bikes sorry man - i've been cutting this all day and the others couldnt make it as its raining (lame! ;). I'll be back for an extended trip and promise we can hang out. BvG
great review Baron, im loving what 44t is doing lately. I have a couple requests. 1, would you able to do more middle weight bike reviews such as as the mv agusta f3 00 and the 750 gsxr 2, would it be possible to do some reviews on older bikes such as the ducati 848 evo
Is it just the video-compression or are that roads really bad? And what does it sound with the stock exhaust? With your mic it sounds a bit tame but sure, its really hard to estimate with a voice mic.
Ah, my old home in San Diego. I'm intrigued by this bike. I hope it causes some of the other V-Twin makers to up their game a bit. Harley will go kicking and screaming into the advanced technology age (well, more like Harley riders will). Looks great, can't wait to demo one.
only sort of disagreement is your judgment on the future "feel and look"; Harley Davidson has those same lines in the V-Rod and NightRod, for 20 thousand less and about the same amount of tech. still, the styling is just about the only cruiser I could ever see myself on, maybe in a decade when my back is too old to maintain a full tuck for more than 30 minutes, this might be my go to.
Holy shit! That is Shakey Byrne! Nice company you keep there! Looking forward to watching BSB again. Go Shakey! Very nice review. I've got the 2011 Diavel and love it to pieces, so I was taken aback by the feet-forward pegs and belt drive. Seems like they went too far to the cruiser (dark) side. Have you ridden the earlier model?
Good work. Cruisers aren't my thing either although even I appreciate there's a time and a place where they make sense. If I was in the market for a cruiser though I think it would be the Diavel.
It would appear that Ducati really do have a problem with their bikes hitting a False neutral. I've got the new Monster 821 and in the first few months I was hitting them pretty frequently. Can be frustrating / scary when you hit a fast corner and were relying on some engine braking to get your speed down for it, then you find yourself briefly coasting just before said corner. As for the video good job 👍
Good initial review. Have you ever ridden the standard Diavel? If I were to go to a Ducati, personally, it would be to get away from a cruiser style bike. Glad you clarified about your "losers on cruisers" comment, I was starting to feel a bit crushed.
I purchased the 2015 Diavel Carbon Red and the Sachs suspension is just awful..........the front feels like a jack hammer and rear bottoms out. It looked like your fillings got rattled a bit on the Xdiavel. How did you find the suspension?
Great job on the channel guys. Can you do a review on the Ducati Hypermotard 821? Snowcatxx87 is embarrassing the hell out of Ducati, and if you watch his videos, you'll see why. Can you guys get to the bottom of why Ducati can't make this gorgeous bike work?
Great video as always. You mention in a few videos about the bike sound not coming out? What about using an external mic RJ style to capture bike sound? Would be a great addition to the videos to get a true sound of the bikes
One of the only things I would change about your videos lads is you need subtitles often when other people are talking to Baron whilst he is in his helmet.
Great content. Did you find your groin aches the next day after trying to keep your legs tucked in? I rode a Harley to the coast and back once which made muscle ache that I didn't know I had!
The people you talk to don't usually get picked up by the mic very well, and turning the volume up doesn't work because your voice is quite loud. I had the same issue with the enduro sessions video too. Maybe adjust the volume in editing? add captions? I dunno I'm enjoying the content lately, just wanted to give some feedback.
Enjoyed the video..appreciate hearing your thoughts on how it feels to ride especially with that whopper rear tire :) Heard from an interview with Ducati rep that bike has cornering ABS which is pretty impressive for a cruiser
Great Video! Quick question; I have the older model Diavel and while I love it, she is a bitch at low speeds sometimes, (Especially when cold...) very lumpy...How is this new version? Does the belt drive really make that much of a difference? Thanks Baron!
Hey Baron & 44Teeth , great videos fair play great entertainment . Was wondering with these days of electric motorcycles taking on the petrol driven kind now in the racing world will you be doing any reviews on bikes like say the Lightning LS 218 , with its 0 to 60 in 1 to 2 seconds 218 mph top end and 200 Hp , 218 ft lbs torque , its got to be worth a look . I know alot of folks are still a bit freaked out about the thought of electric driven vehicles but there here to stay and starting to outdo their petrol driven rivals in some area"s ........... To keep up with the times you should include them in your reviews , ime sure youd have fun with those performance figures aswell !
The best way to describe riding the Diavel: Its like you're raw doggie a chick before she's ready, so it's rough, painful for both parties, but you don't care because the pain feels too good. That's the feeling you get riding this bike.
