Ducati Diavel V4 2023 — Specifications

When Ducati introduced its twin-cylinder Diavel to the general public in the early 1990s, the reaction ranged from fascination to incomprehension. A muscular cruiser with a superbike soul didn’t fit into any category. Yet, it sold. Very well. So imagine what the announcement of a V4 under this bulldog bodywork provokes for the Ducati Diavel V4 2023: the community of purists choked, the curious reached for their calculators.

The engine chosen by Bologna doesn’t come from the Panigale or the Streetfighter. Ducati preferred the Granturismo V4 variant, the one originally developed for the Multistrada. A pragmatic choice: this 1158 cc engine prioritizes low-end torque availability over high-revving brutality. The result is 126 Nm at 7500 rpm and 168 horsepower at 10750 rpm. To answer the question everyone is asking, how many horsepower does the Ducati Diavel V4 have: six more than the twin it replaces, but you have to rev it 1250 rpm higher to find them. It’s not a superbike engine in disguise, it’s an engine tailored for the road, with a character punctuated by the Twin Pulse timing that gives it a recognizable sound. At low revs, two cylinders fall asleep to save fuel, the note becomes deep and muffled. Then all four awaken gradually, and the mechanics rise in intensity like an orchestra picking up the tempo.

What is the weight of a Ducati Diavel V4? This is where the engineers did a good job. Dry weight is 221 kg. Thirteen less than the Diavel 1260 S it replaces, five of which come from the powertrain unit alone. On a motorcycle of this size, this reduction is really noticeable when exiting curves or maneuvering at low speed. 0 to 100 km/h is torched in less than 3 seconds, the Brembo Stylema calipers on 330 mm discs transform decelerations into a surgical precision exercise. Facing a Kawasaki Z H2 or a BMW M 1000 R, the Diavel plays in a different stylistic court, but the raw performance remains in the same register.

The silhouette is dense, almost compact despite the 1593 mm wheelbase. The 240 mm rear tire crushes the ground with a provocative nonchalance, the inverted C double light signature gives it a look like no other, the four-outlet exhaust proudly displays the V4 architecture. The aluminum monocoque frame replaced the trellis frame, which will inevitably upset some. The suspension, 50 mm inverted fork and fully adjustable Sachs mono-shock, do the job seriously even though, at €27,490, you would legitimately have expected Öhlins. The 790 mm seat remains accessible for an average build, and the handlebars moved 20 mm closer compared to the previous generation make the riding position less restrictive on the road.

The onboard electronics are up to the price: four riding modes including a Wet mode, ABS and traction control linked to the angle, wheelie control, launch control, bidirectional shifter, cruise control. The 5-inch TFT screen manages smartphone connectivity, navigation, calls and music. It’s complete, consistent, well integrated. The rider looking for Ducati Diavel V4 accessories to personalize the beast will find an expanded Ducati Performance catalog, as always with the Bolognese manufacturer.

The Ducati Diavel V4 2023 is aimed at an experienced rider who wants a unique, visible motorcycle, fast on the road but not exclusively. Neither a pure road bike nor a circuit naked, it occupies a niche it has created itself and that no competitor manufacturer has managed to seriously contest. The high price remains the main friction point at purchase, and enthusiasts of the Ducati Diavel V4 used will do well to wait a few years to find copies at reasonable prices. For those looking towards 2025, the V4 Granturismo platform still has room for improvement, and Ducati will not hesitate to take advantage of it.