Ducati Diavel 1260 S 2020 — Specifications

At Ducati, the logic of the “S” variant is nothing new. Since the 996 era, the Bolognese manufacturer has made it a habit to tier its ranges with an enriched, more refined version that tops the hierarchy. For the Diavel, this exercise was once known as Carbon. With the Ducati Diavel 1260 S, the manufacturer returns to its habits and delivers a truly accomplished version of its muscle bike.

The 1,262 cc Testastretta DVT L-Twin engine is at the heart of the project. Its 159 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and its 129 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm make it a machine that doesn’t joke about propulsion. This V2 with variable valve timing breathes more freely in the middle of the range, where many rivals suffer from a characteristic dip, and revs with a responsiveness that awakens reflexes. Facing a Kawasaki Z H2 or a Yamaha VMAX, the Diavel plays in a different league, that of the roadster designed for wide-open roads as much as for the city. The 244 kg, fully fueled, command respect from the moment it leaves the parking lot, but the 780 mm seat height remains accessible for an average build.

It is on the chassis components that the “S” version concretely distinguishes itself from the base version. Öhlins suspensions mark their entry at both ends: 48 mm inverted fork with TiN treatment, fully adjustable, and a mono rear shock absorber also adjustable in compression, rebound, and preload. The monocoque aluminum swingarm, mounted on a 240/45-17 rear wheel, gives the machine its recognizable stance. On the track, Brembo M50 calipers and the Up&Down quickshifter transform the Ducati Diavel 1260 S into something more serious than a simple boulevard dragster. The 0-100 km/h sprint is treated in a few seconds on the stopwatch, with a power surge that requires you to remain attentive. The tubular steel trellis frame connects everything together, with a wheelbase of 1,600 mm that stabilizes without weighing it down.

It should be noted, however, what this “S” version has not retained from the old Carbon. The forged aluminum Marchesini wheels, which lightened the unsprung mass and contributed to agility, are not on the program. Their absence is felt, even if a specific surface treatment attempts to maintain a premium visual level. For 23,690 euros, or 3,000 euros more than the Diavel 1260 standard, we would have appreciated this effort on wheel weight. This is the usual compromise of this type of upgrade: you gain in chassis dynamics, you lose on other areas.

The electronic equipment, on the other hand, leaves nothing to be desired. Cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, hill-hold control, cruise control, three riding modes, Bosch six-axis IMU, 3.5-inch color TFT screen, smartphone connectivity to manage calls and music from the handlebars, everything is there. In this area, the 2020 Ducati Diavel 1260 S holds its own against any competitor. It targets an experienced rider, an enthusiast of beautiful mechanics, who wants to impress as much on a twisty road as when leaving a restaurant. Not a pure track rider, not a loaded touring rider, rather someone who embraces the aesthetic excess of the thing and knows how to extract the best from it on the open road. For those looking for a used Ducati Diavel 1260 S, the market offers well-equipped examples at significantly softer prices, which changes the calculation considerably.