Ducati Diavel 1260 S 2021 — Specifications

What does a modern power cruiser truly have under the hood when Bologna decides to push the bar higher? The answer lies in four numbers: 1262 cc, 162 horsepower, 129 Nm, and a 240 mm rear tire that looks more like a pickup truck wheel than a sportbike slick. The Ducati Diavel 1260 S doesn’t seek to blend in, and it succeeds rather well.

Ducati has always had this habit of declining its flagship models in an S version, from the 996 to the Panigale V4, through the Multistrada and the Monster. The Diavel hadn't followed this classic path, preferring the Carbon designation for its high-end version. With the 1260 S, the manufacturer returns to its usual nomenclature and takes the opportunity to tidy up the equipment. The 90-degree L-twin, tuned with variable valve timing DVT, develops its 162 horsepower at 9,500 rpm after a Euro5 update which, a rare occurrence in this regulatory context, hasn't castrated power but has slightly inflated it. Three more horsepower, three more kilos too, to reach 247 kg fully fueled. That's the price of compliance.

What truly distinguishes this Ducati Diavel 1260 S 2021 from the base version is the attention paid to ground connections. Öhlins enters the scene on both sides: an inverted 48 mm fork at the front, a fully adjustable mono-shock at the rear. The 50 mm Marzocchi fork that equips the standard Diavel isn't a bad piece, but the Öhlins touch brings an extra precision that demanding riders will immediately feel. Radial-mount Brembo M50 calipers with four pistons bite down on 320 mm dual discs with a decisiveness that contrasts with the machine's grand touring temperament. For a motorcycle capable of pointing at 250 km/h and priced at 23,990 euros, it's the bare minimum, and Ducati doesn't skimp.

What can be criticized about the 1260 S is the sacrifice of the forged aluminum Marchesini wheels that adorned the old Carbon. The S version inherits a refined surface treatment on its wheels, but the unsprung weight remains where it was. On a motorcycle that weighs 247 kg, every gram saved on the wheels counts double in managing steering changes. Faced with a Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 or an Indian Chief Dark Horse, the Diavel remains noticeably sportier in its behavior, but this compromise on the wheels leaves a sense of incompletion.

The Ducati Diavel 1260 S test reveals an electronic equipment with no gaps: cornering ABS, traction control, anti-wheeling, Bosch six-axis inertial unit, three riding modes, bidirectional quickshifter and keyless start. The 3.5-inch TFT screen connects the smartphone to manage calls and music from the backlit switches. The seat height at 780 mm remains accessible for an average build, and the 17-liter tank ensures decent range despite the appetite of the large twin. It's not a beginner's motorcycle, but it addresses a rider who seeks the thrill of a muscle bike with the comfort of a tourer and the equipment of a sportbike. Those looking for a Ducati Diavel 1260 S used will find on the market 2019 and 2020 models often well-equipped at significantly lower prices than new, making it a particularly coherent secondary purchase.

The positioning is clear: 3,000 euros more than the Diavel 1260 standard for superior quality suspension, competition brakes and a few finishing details. It's an honest proposition. Not an absolute object of desire like the Carbon could be with its eponymous parts, but a coherent and accomplished machine for those who want to ride fast without sacrificing style. The devil, in this story, is in the details.