I just purchased an xDiavel S coming from a Suzuki M109R. The foot forward controls was not an issue for me because the M109R has very close control locations. I agree that this is not a touring bike and most of my destinations are less than 1 hour away. Never had an issue with comfort. Maybe because I'm only averaging 2 hours a day. With that said ... Love everything about the ride. Quick, fast, lighter, easier to handle, looks, sound, tech, etc.
Short wheel base sports bikes and even touring bikes are ridden with finesse, gentle inputs give the desired handling responses, long wheel base cruisers, not so much. It's a bit like the differences between a sailing skiff and an oil tanker.
You've missed the point TMF ,you need to change your riding style a bit to get this bike turning .yes the riding position can load your spine up , easy fix is a air hawk or adjust the suspension .I rode the earlier version and it was a hoot .
'Wot is e on' was very funny Andrew. You really don't have to say to we kids 'in my opinion'. You are respected for your honesty, and that you have no Manufacturer's / Dealers to keep sweet. The strange thing is that I reckon there will still be one or two who think this bike is cool and want one. Credit to Ducati for the loan - but they will know that you are besotted by another of their models!
👍Good to see a honest review, Ducati Uk might not think the same. The ride into Aylesbury was a trip down memory lane as many years ago I lived at the bottom of Wendover Rd by the police station. With all the house building I should imagine Aylesbury, Weston Turville and Stoke Mandeville have all merged into one.
I really enjoyed my short try out on an XDiavel a few years back but I chose to buy the Diavel and I'm very, very happy that I did. The Diavel is much more of a brilliant handling sport bike.
@@lafaietcastro the answer is very subjective. I don't like riding with my feet on forward mounted pegs, it puts off my riding style and hurts my back. Others may like the forward pegs of the X. I like to have my feet under me.
@@aussiesam01 I get it. I'm not a huge fan of the feet forward either. Besides also hurting my back after a while, I don't feel "in control" of the bike. I'm really leaning towards the 1260
Honest review TMF.....you cant like every bike you ride. Will be interesting to see how it compares to the rocket 3 you have at the mo👍. Not bikes for me though. Keep up the grest vids👍😉
Yes, I too like the R3, loved the Diavel and would choose it over the XDiavel, even with chain drive but then I rode the R3 and it was really goooood. Sure the Ducati has some cool cache and great looks but the new Triumph does too. On top of that the R3 is shaft driven and does not suffer from very noticeable engine vibrations! . . . and service cost shock too I'd imagine. Will be interesting to see what others think about the two bikes when compared.
Another good summary and I was a bit curious as to what the Diavel would be like, so..... I tried the new 1260S, with the different foot pegs and I find that I disagree with you for the first time. You’re right in that it isn’t a sports bike but the one I had didn’t mind being thrown around on the twistys. I didn’t have any issues with the really fat rear tyre, or the riding position although, until I got used to it, I did go a bit wide on occasion. It’s not a bike I would use for touring, I have my trusty GS for that, but it would be a great ‘fun day’ bike. The Diavel is a lot of fun. It looks good, it sounds great and it handles well. It is an expensive bike but if money is no object, you could do a lot worse. Just my tuppence worth.
Looks great but must say I don’t think I’d get on with any cruiser style bike. Surprised Ducati make it, maybe for the US market. Good honest review 👍👍
All these people saying cruisers are uncomfortable and me sitting on my 2018 triumph speedmaster scratching my head... Handles pretty damn good too.. Maybe your dimensions need to kinda match the bike's or maybe its what you are used to? Not to mention that all our bodies and tolerances are different... i.e. I have a lower back problem. Leaning forward for more than a few minutes is a big no-no, so no sport or even aggressive standards for me. In contrast the relaxed upright position of the speedmaster with the slightly forward footpegs (at 6 feet tall I don't really feel like my feet are that much forward, its a small bike after all) is bliss for anything longer than a half hour ride. Different strokes and all that.
@@TheMissendenFlyer Definitely was the 2018! Let me thank you for that review btw mr TMF. It was one of a couple that helped me pull the trigger (Loved the bike at first sight, but it was a calculated risk to buy it this early in my biking career) and this bike is my pride and Joy. I owe you one sir. Cheers! P.S Funny thing, for many its the same bike as the Bobber with "some trivial changes". For me these changes make a huge difference both in looks and in feel/comfort and usability. Honestly, would probably not buy the bobber...
Honest review for sure ...if not a little wingy... And a small highlight is the old fuel guage point...and your distraction with them.. Seems the Ducati is confused.... reserve light on a a quarter showing on the gauge...I have noticed bike fuel gauges hit and miss at being accurate. Maybe go old school with your fuel usage ...if u know a bike does 120 mile on a full tank ..u reset trip as u fill when you get close to half the mileage or 3 parts then easy to work out what you got left....
Loved the Diavel for the ride comfort plus go, so I thought the xDiavel would be awesome, feet forward which I like and belt drive for less noise and maintenance, would have to be awesome right ? No, the seat is awful the suspension travel seems shorter and in general it felt rougher. So what to do??? New R3 with shaft drive !!!! Yes please.
100% agree. Apart from the other problems I advised we had when you first posted, one of my mates and I sold my Diavel and his XDiavel after trips to Germany and Spain. The front tyres square off rapidly which confirms the poor handling, they push wide regardless of attempts to wrestle them round tight bends, (and we are both big strong Northerners LOL!), and as you say on both models you sit in rather than on them so movement on the seat impossible. The vibrations are so bad both our number plates vibrated off despite using thread lock so we fitted tail tidies and steel nuts + bolts. Anything that can come loose will, just like Harleys. We replaced ours with a Yamaha 1700 V-Max (one of the last sadly) and a Custom Yamaha 1700 Warrior. They both are streets ahead in handling and comfort, even though the Warrior has feet forward controls. A to B the Max is quicker, the Warrior surprisingly not far off. Triumph is not an option we would choose. An honest accurate review as always.
Still love the looks of it, Italians do style and engines in cars and bikes very well. Passed my CBT this week, my bike journey begins, it wasn’t pretty and it was a mixture of being terrified and happy all in one go, but it was good enough. Looking forward to getting in some practice.
Well Chris, they invented the VVT engine, they invented the Common Rail diesel, I know the 500 had issues but it wasn’t the engine. Alfa, Ferrari, Lamborghini. All iconic engines.
The inability of bike mfgrs to grasp the purpose of fenders just drives me mad. In this case, they omit the back half of the front fender to allow everything off the front wheel to splatter the front of the engine. Then in back it's even worse: The front end of the fender is there in the form of a mini-hugger. The rear end of the fender is there to hold the registration plate. But everything in the middle is missing, enabling crap off the road to spray the rider in the back.
Nice vid & I tend to agree.....not having ridden one I hasten to add! It's an awesome looking beast with awesome road presence but not something I'd ever consider buying.
That’s fair. Currently living in Canada with nothing but straight roads around my part, Harleys and cruisers are the norm. I go to work on the highway (too cold still but spring is in the air) on my kwaka versys and get blown all over the place hanging on for dear life in the strong winds. The guys on the heavy cruisers are planted and don’t have that worried look I have. Have to say though the triumph rocket just looks far better than this. Lookin* forward to seeing how you get on with it.
Good review. I had a second generation Diavel a few years ago; it looked great (much better than the xDiavel in my opinion) and went well but I found the engine was very rattly and lumpy and at the end of the day, well a few months, I was bored with it for much the same reasons you mention. I now have a Triumph Bobber Black as a second bike and it is a really nice bike with a great engine, comfortable riding position and good handling but it is still the "one-trick pony" you describe and I could not live with it as my only bike, especially with the ridiculously small fuel tank. I guess that is true of most cruisers though as they are mainly a style statement - in my opinion!
Thanks a stack for staying honest. Had a similar experience with a HD I had years ago, after 30 minutes in the saddle my rear end went numb and after a 1 hour club ride I cursed the bloody thing. Horrendous fuel economy and range too, but guess you don’t buy a HD for fuel economy. Traded my Transalp in on a base spec R1200gs today after owning it for only 6 months. The Transalp is a great bike if you’re below 5’8” and prefer something old school, harsh and unrefined. Personally I just felt like a horse on a flea. Compared to other similar bikes of the era it was in may opinion the best of the bunch, but it simply can’t compare to the newer bikes, especially those brakes which is indeed a rather important item. Anyway, now have a R1200gs adventure, r1200gs rallye and a R1200gs Trophy (base spec) and after either owning or extensively riding most other bikes I was even remotely interested in will stick with the big gs’ in future, no need to look elsewhere and waste my money.
Great review - you know your true audience and so not afraid to upset the big manufacturers. But you express your views in such a nice way! As you say, this bike will be a big hit in California but trying to haul its bulk around British roads doesn't sound like much fun.
I had a little chuckle when you said it was good for posing on. One lives near me and I only see it on warm sunny evenings going through the village in opposite directions every five minutes or so. Maybe he'd agree with you it's only good for short journeys in warm weather.
After a 650 Katana and an 858 Bonneville, I'm now on a V-Star1100 cruiser, which I am enjoying. It has to be said though, that cruiser handling is different. It took me over 1000 miles to really feel at home on it and although main road bends are smooth and effortless, roundabouts and road junctions do require some conscious thought. No doubt the rake and wide bars. The sports bikes simply went where you thought. As usual, an excellent and honest video. How about blagging rides on a touring Harley and Indian, to see what your thoughts are? Keep the videos coming!
Thanks for the honest review. I go to the NEC each year as well as local dealers and wonder how the hell you are supposed to ride some of these bikes as they are uncomfortable sitting still never mind ridding out for a few hours. It is without doubt an awesome looking machine especially in black.
Powercruisers? Nah, not for me. Too much rollercoaster feeling. Not fun in the long run. But that's me! But when you're at cruisers, try the new Harley Softail standard. Looks good!
@@TheMissendenFlyer only for an hour. Seat is so thin and uncomfortable. Can ride my Harley Sports Glide all day, feet forward and all. You need right height bars so back doesn't ache if you have to lean over to reach bars. Will have to refoam and gel Speed Twin seat so it is not a half hour to work bike. I have done 15 400 kms on it now but seat is still terrible.
If you're not thrilled with the XDiavel, would you consider the Diavel as an alternative, with the footpegs in a more conventional naked bike position? (Disclaimer: I haven't ridden either of them so I'm basing my question purely on reviews I watched/read. I don't know how different the two models are to each other.)
Must say I have not ridden one of these bike's. That aside I ride a cruiser with forward controls. I have tried riding a bike mid to rear pedals as I would call them, and I just can not get on with them. There is a saying "Once you have gone forward you can never go back" and that describes me. But great review anyway, cos what you don't like, I would! so that makes it worth while. Cheers!!
Yes we can’t all like the same thing can we, I’m sure some will absolutely love this bike I certainly like the looks of it but it’s not for me from the riding position point of view. Shame because I really wanted to like it!
Perversely it’s quite refreshing to hear you say different things about a bike; as you say, you can’t love ‘em all! If you only pick bikes you like then your comments are always going to be similar. This wasn’t on my list anyway😎
I had the first standard Diavel, so the riding position was more normal with my feet underneath me. It still suffered from running wide on tight bends which I did become used to, but it needed a significant push of the bars to counter-steer it's way round. What I couldn't overcome was the jarring up my spine every time it hit a bump. I fitted an Ohlins rear shock which helped, but not enough for me to keep the bike. Great engine though and it drew a crowd.
Shamone MoFo Took one out on test a while ago whilst my 899 was being serviced. Totally agree with you. Looked amazing and I could forgive/ride around most of its shortcomings, but the suspension! That was brutal.
Yes I would agree with your thoughts Andy. I loved the look when it first came out but not so much anymore. It won't be taking me away from a naked sports bike. Thanks for the review as always.
Being 5 ft 9 in myself, i couldn't agree more with the issue around the forward controls. It's really quite uncomfortable and tiring. I do like the bike itself and just bought a second hand one. Will be switching the controls from forward to mid controls. Hopefully that does enough in terms of comfort (and justifying the purchase :) )
@@TheMissendenFlyer got it done, you lose a bit of butt comfort (because the weight shifts), but the difference it makes for your back is huge. I'm watching out for the handlebar position (i have the stock ones), but need to put in a few more miles first.
Nice honest review. Everything you find negative on the XDiavel sounds like something that is not true for the regular Diavel. Haven't ridden the X, but the regular one handled like a champ (having said that I have to admit I've never ridden a proper sport-bike, the closest being a naked bike).
Rule of being a man; always return a borrowed vehicle with a full tank of fuel! Only exception being a quick test ride from a dealers. Good honest review - it wouldn't put me off if I were in that market...would just highlight some things to consider when test riding.
After a long lay off riding a bonnevile America cruiser I found out I was all over the place ie running wide on corners etc when I rode it.I think this was down to the fact my brain was tuned to the kawasaki zr7 I had been riding.I soon got used to riding the America again.
Sorry mate, I can't agree with a some of that. I predominantly rode superbikes for over 20 years, fancied something different so had an XDIAVEL for two years. Its not a superbike and ridiculous to think it will handle like one, however if you grab it by its balls and make it hustle it will. Appart from a lack of ground clearance (the pegs drag on the tarmac quite a bit) I regularly used the whole rear tyre with zero chicken strips. This is not a brag, just an example of how well it can be made to go. Once the rear is warm you really can take the piss exiting the corners with huge amounts or rubber to grip. I moved the pegs all the way back, (they have 3 position settings as standard) got a reised seat (£90) and swept back bars, (also £90) being 6.4 it sat me over the bike a lot more. So £180 & Job done, bike is ridiculously aggressive and looks cool as.
Randos the truth about your pegs is this you should be able stand up on your pegs with your hands held out in front of you. As in the pegs need to be directly below you so you can stand. Put pressure on them for turning and control of the bike. If not in this location you really dont have the ability to properly control your bike
@@TheMissendenFlyer A knees in obtuse angles position, as you put it, is favored by a, lets say, bulkier rider. Gaining weight won't necessarily help but you'd like the knees forward position more. PS : Keep fighting it's a worthy cause, also looking forward to the Thailand series.
Been riding for a bagillion years. I’ve owned 3 katanas, every gsxr model from f to WN, couple zxr’s and my last bike was a ZX14, which in my opinion handled like a pig. Just bought an xdiavel dark and am beside myself waiting for it to be delivered in couple months time. I have a pretty open mind when it comes to people’s opinions and yours is of course just as good as any rider’s ... but the one Thing that burns me up most about this vid is the f@#ing cars parked in the middle of the road!!!!
Owned a Honda CBR, Suzuki katana, Harley Sportster, Aprilia Sr 50 and now a Ducati xdiavel. The Ducati had me 🌽 nering like never before. Feet forward is my only negative... Yet a nice change
Calling this thing a cruiser is honestly really not apt. Power Cruiser and Cruiser are really 2 different animals. It's a bit like calling a Dodge Challenger a nice family car because it has 4 seats. The Bike is really made for ultra fast acceleration, and thats about it. A harely softail is a cruiser, it doesnt suffer from those problems you're having, and its a real cruiser and having forward feet like that is beneficial. But on the Diavel? Not really. Sure it can cruise but its really just not designed for it. That big engine is meant to scream out 0-60 in 2.4 seconds.
@@TheMissendenFlyer I thought it was a very good video - I am inexperienced offroad (in fact no experience) so it was useful for me to see an "average joe" tackle offroading. Watching experts tackle offroad tells me nothing when my own experience is so low, I need ot learn from the next step up from me preferably. I learnt similarly from your earlier CMT tour videos which encouraged me to give it a go. Such a shame that people have to wheel out the "tasty" comments just because the youtuber isnt some offroad riding god!
Hey man love the vids, especially bike news monthly. I was wondering when would you recommend to upgrade to a bigger bike? I am currently on a brutale 675, lovely bike but the down-low torque is horrid. I have been riding for about 3 years now and I am thinking about getting an rsv4 or a tuono. Good idea?
@@TheMissendenFlyer I know - I watched them! I have never been able to get used to riding "feet forward", just doesn't seem natural. If I ever do get a XDiavel ("S" obviously) it'll have to be the feet below not in front. Great video as always and Sam at Bahnstormer says hi.
Love the looks of the xDiavel but I far prefer function over form. Great review, all the trolls that say you love everything can stick this in their pipes and puff. Your objectivity shall remain unbesmirched! Peace Sir!
You can’t please all the people all the tine can you! I try and be objective and honest but it is only my opinion and I’m no expert...thanks for watching as ever!
I'd really like to hear your opinions of a modern "regular" Diavel compared to the X-Diavel (because you seemed to like the one you rode in California)... I loved the test ride I took on a 2015, but as I mentioned in comments before, I went with a Multistrada S based purely on practicality.
It's like fashion, people will put up with discomfort if they think they look cool. The motorbike equivalent of ripped jeans or high heels possibly. A G string even, I have no personal knowledge of any of these items
As you say cruisers aren't about comfort, they're about looking cool as F. That thing can drop knickers or boxers at 100 yards ...hahaha. Don't get me wrong I love my GS 1250 and its my bike of choice when out for distance, team riding etc, but if I want to feel free, cool and 100% liberated the XDiavel is the one I take out, and boy I feel 16 again and you can't get the smile of my face.. However, I'm glad I've been part of a momentous moment as a TMF fan and religious viewer.... I think I've just experienced the first bike review you've ever said you don't like.....I'm cracking a Calsberg Export on that back of that one!
Very nice looking bike but also very expensive. For a fraction of the price you can pick up a Bmw R1200C and that, some say, is a future classic so should appreciate in value too....but the looks definitely need time to grow on you...
@@paulcosgrove6160 Funny though I've owned and ridden long-wheelbase bikes in the past including a BMW flying brick and a Rocket 3 - neither of which ran wide, for me at least. The Beemer did prefer long sweepers however and would go into the right bend with a 'flick of the knee'. One secret, if there is one is not being afraid to lean them over. Having said that I used a completely different riding style back then to what I do these days on my Street Triple, which I just have to 'think round a corner' and it goes. So you've got a point. Maybe I should go and test a Diavel just to find out for myself before I chip in. :-D
This is why I'd consider a Diavel, but not an XDiavel, likewise the Triumph Rocket 3 looks great, but I'd want the R not the GT. Feet forwards is for armchairs, not motorcycles... :)
My brother lives in the States so bought himself a cruiser. Like you, he quickly discovered that the last bike you want to go cruising on is a cruiser. Oh the irony!
Not having ridden either bike and despite Triumph negatively in my opinion moving production to Thailand I would much prefer the Triumph Rocket 3 R. Just my opinion folks.
Be interesting to see if any of the issues you found crossover to the rocket etc as a generic feeling you have with those type of bikes or is it Diavel specific
Is there a reason for this video other than the algorithm? You haven't said anything that you haven't already in your past videos! I do love the videos TMF it's just when I get a notification that you've posted a new video it's just a bit disappointing.
I borrowed this from the manufacturer - Ducati UK - they loan me bikes on the understanding I will give my honest opinions...and it is just that, one mans non-expert opinion.
Such a shame to hear your comments on the magnificent XDiavel. My opinion is the polar opposite and I feel like you have completely missed the point of the motorcycle. Ah well. Thanks for the video regardless.
I agree with the Missenden flyer and it's really superb to hear an honest review. It's a posers toy too tootle down the pub. And extol the virtues of its owners assumed pre-eminence. Look at me I'm a biker I've covered 200 miles this year. Ha
Oh dear Donut Dude, it must be that this is the only bike you have ever ridden, and thus not aware that there are so many better ones for less a price.
Mate you're. A lot of half witted comments I took this bike to Spain did 3299 all around Spain 18 of us on Diavels or X Diaveks riding for 22 days bike loaded up never missed a beat and yes I agree there are better cruisers even a Pan European is super comfy but nothing on the X diavel for sheer power and handling ...if you can't cope with feet forward don't ride them
@@TheMissendenFlyer , i use my 950s for touring (dont do offroad), got it for 1 year, amazing bike it is. But i saw the Diavel 1260s and felt i love with it. Unfortunaly, can't lend the bike for a weekend, or even a day, at the local Ducati dealer, so i can't test drive it. You have tested both bikes and would know , as usual , your honest opinion as an expert.
...well in that case I'd stick with the 950 - the Diavel looks gorgeous but for touring is a non starter in my opinion, riding position gets uncomfortable quite quickly.....how can they not let you do a test ride....nuts!
Having owned many cruisers including the Xdiavel, riding feet forwards changes completly how you ride and steer a bike - and you need to roll it round a corner rather than steer it round with your head as you would on a sports bike. It does take some getting used to ! The spine shattering rear suspension is well documented and can easily be softened by reducing the spring compression a couple of turns to soften it. Having said all that, i traded mine in for a new 1260 Diavel which is a totally different experience, and well worth a test ride, if you can get Ducati to loan you one ! cheers for the great honest review once again !
I would imagine one of the reasons you find the machine "a bit vibey" is that you don't seem to change gear much. Throughout the video you never got above 4th gear, despite the engine's massive torque. Why do you cruise along in third gear with a bike (and engine) like this? At 50mph I would be in 6th, unless I really wanted to motor along - which clearly you didn't.
For me at those speeds 4th felt much better than 6th, which would have been very lumpy on this twin cylinder bike I suspect....I tend to hold on to lower gears for acceleration when required, just how I like to ride. Thanks for watching and for stopping by.
steve taylor I am pretty sure in 6 at 50 mph you woild experience shudder from lugging the engine. My m900 wont tolerate that kind of low rpm in high gear
I tried to sit on several cruisers at a motorbike show and I couldn’t find one that let me reach the handle bar and at the same time gave me a comfortable seating position. And feet forward makes you fold double. Cruisers are not for me. I like allroad bikes and (sports)tourers. I think Americans like feet forward because they ride their horses at the same way. Europeans ride horses with their legs below them as they do their bikes.
Not all Americans. When I came back to riding motorcycles I did spend some time looking at Harley's but found there seating uncomfortable. I bought a used FZ6 with a mostly upright riding position. I have replaced it with V-Strom 650 a more straight up and tall riding position. The best motorcycle is the one that fits your riding style and fits your budget.
@@TheMissendenFlyer I always have a little chuckle when you explain that you can tell in the first few minutes if you like a bike, then always say you like it. I suppose it says a lot about the quality of modern motorbikes!!
looks great, but not sure what they were going for. if they're after harley, then they're fighting brand loyalty... what happened to their monsters? they weren't 20k!!
@@TheMissendenFlyer When a bike is leaned, the contact patch moves from the center of the tire to the shoulder. The wider the tire, the further the contact patch moves laterally. So with everything else remaining the same, a wider tire will require more lean to put the bikes center-of-gravity in the same position relative to the contact patch.
@@Fjdy1jd1 Wheelbase is too long. Have wider tyres on a number of my bikes (been collecting for over 40 years) and having raced and do serious long distance riding confirm the only bike I have ever had such a problem with is my Diavel. My mates XDiavel was the same even with mid-peg conversion. Never had a bike square off a front tyre in under 2000 miles before either!
@@TheMissendenFlyer On my HD Breakout, which had a 240 rear (all be it was a different profile) I found the best way was to anticipate the corner as you approach it and try to get the speed about right so you can pitch it in on countersteer and hold the speed around the corner, maybe use a bit of rear brake if you are going wide, on exit you can then increase speed again. It's a bit more tricky on the Breakout as that has a much longer fork, almost chopper-style plus the rear tyre has a squarer profile than the 240 on the X-Diavel. Get the corner right and you feel you have achieved something! 😉 Getting around every corner was an achievement on the Breakout and try to avoid tight roundabouts. It was a challenging bike to ride but I still have a lot of fond memories riding it.😀
