Ducati Diavel 1260 To Be Launched In India Soon

The Diavel 1260 gets a couple of cosmetic updates, a bigger engine and weighs more than the current model

• Both the standard Ducati Diavel 1260 and the Diavel 1260S will make it to Indian shores. 
• It’s powered by a 1,262cc engine that puts out 159PS and 128Nm of torque.
• The “S” variant features fully adjustable Ohlins suspension at both ends.

Ducati is all prepped to launch the new Diavel 1260 in August 2019. The bike was first showcased at EICMA last year with a couple of design updates, a bigger engine and better electronic rider aids. Both the standard Ducati Diavel 1260 as well as the top-spec Diavel 1260S are expected to make it to India with an expected price tag of around Rs 16 lakh and Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom) respectively. That’s a price hike of around Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh over the current models. 

On the design front, the Diavel 1260 looks sharper and meaner than before. It gets a new LED headlight and LED turn indicators which are neatly integrated into the radiator shrouds. Aside from this, the cruiser features keyless ignition, a 3.5-inch TFT screen and self-cancelling indicators.

Powering the 2019 Ducati Diavel is a 1262cc, DVT, L-twin motor that replaces the smaller 1,198cc engine seen on the outgoing bike. It belts out 159PS (7PS more) 129Nm of torque (up by 6Nm) compared to the Diavel 1200. Moreover, thanks to the Desmodromic Variable Timing, over 100Nm of torque is available at revs as low as 3,500rpm. Naturally, harnessing this manic motor would require some serious electronic rider aids, and the Diavel 1260 gets a host of them. It features eight levels of traction control, three stages of cornering ABS, wheelie control, three rider modes (Sport, Touring and Urban) and a 6-axis IMU (Inertial Measuring Unit).  

In terms of underpinnings, the standard Diavel employs thick 50mm upside-down forks and a monoshock, while the top-spec Diavel S features slightly skinnier fully adjustable 48mm USD forks and a monoshock from Ohlins. Anchoring the bike are twin 320mm disc brakes up front paired with Brembo M50 Monobloc calipers and a single disc brake at the rear, also from Brembo. Its 17-inch alloy wheels come wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres measuring in at 120/70-section front and a massive 240-section at the rear. We’ve already had a go at the Diavel 1260S and here’s what we think of think.