Ducati seems to be taking a more traditional approach with the next-generation Diavel. Photographs of the new Ducati Diavel undergoing trials in Italy have surfaced on the internet, giving us the first look of the power cruiser.
The absence of a heavy front and a cleaner profile shows a shift towards traditional cruiser design. It gets a more laid back, cruiser-like styling and seating position, thanks to front set footpegs and swept-back handlebars. The headlamp is smaller in size, while the lack of bulky body panels help flaunt the L-twin engine. The test mule was missing an exhaust canister and belly-pan.
Ducati has also made the unexpected move of switching to a belt drive in place of the current bike’s chain drive. The frame gets a different architecture, while the swingarm design is also new. Reports suggest that the new Diavel will be powered by Ducati’s new 1198cc Desmodromic Variable Timing (DVT) engine, which recently debuted in the new Multistrada.
The spy shots hint that this new Diavel is very close to moving to the production lines. We can expect it to take a bow in its production-ready form at the 2015 EICMA Show, this November. Deliveries in the US will commence in early 2016 and we can expect it to be launched in India around mid-2016.
