I am going to try and do a review of the Diavel Carbon Red, and will try to keep up to the excellent standards here at Team BHP.
Well, the first part was more or less the buying experience, and needless to say it was bitter. Buying a Ducati in India is not for an average joe biker, for sure. One must be prepared for the worst in all aspects, right from booking to service. For me, the Bike is the objective, and things like dealing with Precision, the cost, etc, etc are just obstacles that needed to be overcome to reach that objective. Till another bike fills that space (one has been trying hard), just keep doing whatever needs to be done to fulfill that objective. Not sure how many are willing to be that way. Audi Ducati needs to do something asap. I am not going to dwell on it for much longer and would like to get on to sharing some details of the bike.
First of all, some pictures of the bike I managed to click at a friend's house where the background is Green, to say the least.
Okay, now the details.
The Joy begins with this switch:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-start-switch.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004922d1691439913t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-start-switch.jpg)
Flip the switch down to activate ignition. One of my favourite features of this bike is the Keyless Start system. Used to hate it when I get all geared up including gloves and then realize I forgot to take the keys out of the pocket. Those days are gone. The Key:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-key.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004930d1691439913t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-key.jpg)
When Ignition is activated, the screens come alive with the color screen doing a little Diavel outline laser sketch intro. Start screen tried to capture during turn on sequence:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-start-screen.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004923d1691439913t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-start-screen.jpg)
If one does not have the key with you, you can override the system by using the pincode method. Push the button (red arrow), and the screen will prompt you to enter the preset pincode through the toggle switch on the left.
Pincode screen:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-pincode.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004924d1691439913t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-pincode.jpg)
Toggle switch for menu navigation:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-toggle.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004925d1691439913t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-toggle.jpg)
Normal riding screen:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-rider-screen.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004926d1691439913t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-rider-screen.jpg)
Top dash is conventional dash, lot like a Monster 796's, with rpm, speed, clock, and temperature. The bottom Color LCD shows Riding Mode, Gear Indicator, Tripmeters, and Fuel consumption. There is an option to change this screen to display other parameters through the menu.
Menu screen:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-menu.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004933d1691439913t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-menu.jpg)
There are three Riding Modes to the Diavel, each comes with a default setting which can be customized. The lowest setting is URBAN, which cuts the output to 100 hp, and traction control, or DTC in Ducatispeak, is set at 5 out of maximum 8. TOURING mode comes default with output at 162 Low, and DTC at 3. SPORT mode has output at 162 HI, and DTC at 1, the lowest setting.
Riding mode selection screen. Can be changed on the fly, will activate change with close of throttle.
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-riding-mode.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004935d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-riding-mode.jpg)
Since the throttle is controlled by wire (Ride by wire), the ECU changes the maps and power delivery is altered according to selected mode. I started riding the bike in Urban mode, and am now in Touring. Have not yet tried Sport mode, and am working on a progressive breaking in regime. The exhaust note also changes dramatically with the mode changes.
I was getting fuel consumption of 13.6 Km/L when I started riding, it has been progressively improving and now reads 14.2 Km/L. I dont know the accuracy of the on board computer because I have been filling Speed 97 out of jerry cans at home, so no Full to Full check yet. I expect it to be correct because I have been trying to stay in the midrange of the engine, and hence always a gear or two lower than normal, during break-in.
I have only done ~400 kms on the bike as of now, and mostly been short rides. Havent had a chance to take her up to the hills or a real open stretch yet. The weather has been playing foul last couple of days, and is really getting in the way. Once I have some more miles on her, I can give better riding impressions.
But from what little I have ridden, it's been Fantastic!! Most comfortable bike I have ridden yet ( Forgive my lie, because the Multistrada is better), and the power is just insane. They say it's faster than the Panigale up to 60mph, and I dont doubt it. You go past an inch on the throttle, and you better hang on. And the power delivery is so different from the inline 4 of the CB I am used to. While the CB was creamy, this is lumpy. The L twin torque really comes in crazy, and just keeps on coming. I love it !!! It's a most beautiful blend of my Harley and my CB, as far as engine goes.
The Carbon edition of the Diavel is quite a bit dearer than the Standard model, and in return you get 3 kgs off, bringing weight to 207 Kg. Funny, because by swapping the standard battery with a Ballistic Li battery for ~Rs 10k, I saved more than 3 kgs.
But the Carbon model also gives you these:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-marchesini-2.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004932d1691439913t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-marchesini-2.jpg)
Marchesini wheels. Works of Art. These wheels are forged, then painted, then machined and polished. Just gorgeous.
You also get the special hard Diamond Like coating on the front suspension in Black finish:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-front-shocks.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004936d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-front-shocks.jpg)
I have not taken any pillion yet, and dont generally do, except for short joyrides. Hence have not taken the rear seat cover (in CF for the Carbon edition) out yet. It can be removed by unscrewing from under the seat.
Under the seat, there is a small cavity for the toolkit, and not much room for anything else.
Underseat:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-underseat.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004938d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-underseat.jpg)
Cover removal screw:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-seatcover-removal.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004937d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-seatcover-removal.jpg)
Under the seat is also the release for the retractable rear grab handle. There is a small storage space here for Regn. papers, etc.
Handle retracted:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-grabhandle-.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004940d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-grabhandle-.jpg)
Handle extended:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-grab-handle-out.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004939d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-grab-handle-out.jpg)
The rear passenger footpegs are also retractable. Gives it a clean solo look when lifted up.
Footpegs:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-rear-footpeg.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004941d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-rear-footpeg.jpg)
Did a little bit of cosmetic mods while unboxing itself. Mostly Rizoma stuff.
Rizoma Handgrips and barends:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-rizoma-grips.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004943d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-rizoma-grips.jpg)
Speedymoto Frame sliders:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-speedymoto.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004944d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-speedymoto.jpg)
Rizoma Rear Hub Cover:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-rizoma-rear-hub-cover.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004942d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-rizoma-rear-hub-cover.jpg)
Rizoma Frame hole covers:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-rear-preload.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004945d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-rear-preload.jpg)
You can also see the rear suspension preload adjuster here. This can be adjusted on the fly.
When you are done riding and have to reluctantly park the bike, there is an electric steering lock also available.
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-lock.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004949d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-lock.jpg)
While doing my PDI, one of the "mods" I did was some sound insulation. Having ridden my friend's Diavel, and having read online about a trademark problem with the Diavel, which was an annoying "tak tak" sound that the chain would make when it hit the bottom of the hollow swingarm. Really bad on bumpy roads which we have no shortage of around here. The solution was to remove the original plastic chain guard placed near marked area, sticking a thin rubber strip (cut from car tyre tube) with some double side tape and re installing. Works like a champ. No annoying sound at all. Any Diavel owners out there, I highly recommend this simple yet effective mod.
Chain guard hitting area:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-diavel-chain-guard.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004946d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-diavel-chain-guard.jpg)
Finally, the most important accessory of them all:
![Ducati Diavel - Forged in Hell - Ownership Review-ducati-oakley-2.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/superbikes-imports/1004948d1691439960t-ducati-diavel-forged-hell-ownership-review-ducati-oakley-2.jpg)
Oakley Ducati X Squared Sunglasses, without which the whole setup would just crumble and fall.
I will try to add some video clipping with the exhaust note because the sound is not the same with the bike stationary. The rasp while accelerating and the pops on decel have to be ridden to be heard. Soon.
Meanwhile, I would like to open the thread up so that I can update as I go along.
Thanks for reading, guys.
Cheers
Ride Safe