DUCATI XDIAVEL (2016 - on) Review

Comfortable bike, riding position is great for me,(both knees replaced) Handling and brakes are amazing, I wish I had the skills to maximize the ride sometimes

Kinell, what more can I say.If you can handle more than this you should be in motogp!!

Other than the fuel gauge (seems to be a common problem)I've had no other problems with either of the 2 I've owned

Other than the fuel gauge not working now, I've had no problems with either of the 2 I've owned .

I love the cruise control ,the dash could be better regarding connectivity though.

Brakes are 5/5. For most rides it handles well but hit a bump and your spine won't thank you. You learn to pull on the bars to get your ass off the seat if a bump is coming.

Very lumpy low down, you need to be over 70mph to comfortably use 6th gear. It's a huge V-twin at the end of the day and below 4,000 you know it. Above that though it utterly flies.

Quality is top notch, reliability... the only issue I've had is the fuel sensor decided not to work any more when it was 20 months old, thank goodness for the 2 year warranty, fixed for free. Common problem just check Ducati forums.

Annual service not horrendous, just as well the major desmo service is 18,000 miles.

Reasonable level of standard equipment. A TFT screen (which is tiny), cruise control, launch control, cornering ABS, ducati mulimedia system (waste of time these days), keyless ignition, Full LED lighting. My only gripe, I fitted the OEM heated grips but you need Ducati dealer to go into the software to enable so that's the loss of a star.

I personally like the feet forward option, but the foot pegs can be adjusted to suit a riders preference

A lot of power right through all the gears possibly a good option for sports bake riders when they get a little longer I want something a bit more comfortable. Yeah still able to keep up with a bike

Had to have the rear break bled several times then I spoke to Ducati Manchester Who changed the rear brake pipes free of charge as a goodwill gesture everything is now fine

As I said, earlier stunning looking bike that has three different settings and numerous safety features that can be ridden However, you choose to ride it fast slow or anything in between

Lay back and enjoy if you want or open her up AAAAAA+

Obviously more expensive when you need belts changing but every 15000 miles

The handling is superb

It is all-day comfortable IF the roads are in any way decent. Hit a pothole or two and you’ll know about it, which could arguably said about any such similar bike…of which there are not many, admittedly!

Stick it in Sport mode and enjoy the ride. Best enjoyed after the run-in period has elapsed! It sings and dances somewhere between 4000-7000rpm.

Beautifully built and finished bike. Cannot fault it.

It’s a Ducati. It’s an expensive Ducati. You need to compare apples with apples and so you expect to pay more for servicing. It’s par for the course.

Amazingly grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso tyres as standard. Play a game and see how far you can wear towards the sidewalls. Standard exhaust sounds nice n throaty too.

Love the torque in any gear, grab a handfull and it would bite if it wasn't for the electronics

servicing costs are high, but then again it is a Ducati..

Seems to have all of the gadgets, cruise control is great on motorways

stonking motor, it is great for just chugging about on but when you open that throttle hang on, this thing is quick

Can travel all day long so comfortable.

Best engine I've experienced.

Cannot fault anything.

Ducati Manchester servicing team are great value, informative and do high quality work.

Handsome glossy black tank and all bike's machined detail e.g diamond-cut rear wheel.

Soft rear shock as standard, definitely need to wind on the pre-load, the rider foot pegs can be placed in three positions as standard and all three are comfortable so its just a matter of trying them and going with what feels best. There are factory options for 3 different bar lengths and different seat height if your not happy. I had a set of custom bars made to move my upper body from vertical to lent forwards as i have always ridden sports bikes. The vertical spine position was causing me issues with bumps (bad back from a bad crash in my youth) and now i have natural shock absorption as the hips are not under my shoulders. I find the bike very comfortable and can cope with long trips to the coast with ease. Brakes like a sports bike and abs and cornering abs as standard, the levels of which can be adjusted. Issues with air trapped in the rear brake causing excessive rear travel until no rear brake. I've had a new rear master cylinder under warranty and had several bleeds but so far nothing has sorted this permanently.

The engine is a monster, 156bhp. Pulls like a train. Max torque is at 5000rpm and even in top gear at 80mph - 5000rpm if you crack the throttle wide it accelerates like my old CBR in first. It's not only power though i find it smooth for a twin, you can ride it low in the rev range like a traditional chopper and get great fuel consumption, but it does love the rev's. It is defiantly a proper Ducati, when ridden hard it doesn't disappoint. It's a sport bike destroyer at the traffic lights and the acceleration and torque are additive. I fitted a set of Arrow cans to it and the sound of the engine is obscene, it screams at you and the overrun on a closed throttle never ceases to put a smile on my face.

Had stone pick up on the drive belt which then caught in the pulley cover damaging the belt. The rear brake has been problematic from the day i bought it, loosing pressure and gaining extra travel until there is no back brake. This is due to air in the system and even with a new bleeding procedure i am not convinced the issue has been sorted. I've had a new rear master cylinder and several bleeds of the system so i guess only time will tell. Had a small gasket failure on the rear cylinder and there are some hard starting issues which seam to be when the weather changes between putting away and next ride.

Yes the bike is expensive at over £16k, but what a bike. Service intervals are 9k miles so that is good but the annual service if the mileage isn't hit, filter and oil change cost me £250. Will be doing home services once the warranty expires but have yet to find a permanent way of turning off the service warning without the Ducati code reader. Had a damaged drive belt which cost me £400+ 240 section rear tire isn't going to be cheap to replace and you can go through them rather quickly if you have a heavy right hand. Fuel consumption can be brilliant, i have had over 75mpg on some distance rides, over 220 miles from a tank. Pulling away from a standstill is what kills the high mpg. If you enjoy the rev's and acceleration too much this can be down in the low 40's but if i'm in that kind of mood i'm happy to take the smiles to pounds hit in the wallet for the fuel.

Lots of stuff as standard, traction control and cornering abs with 10 setting levels. 3 different power modes though mine is never out of full fat sports mode. Launch control and anti wheelie Standard small passenger seat for when you're on your own, larger rear seat and back rest for when you want to take passengers. Dashboard has different views/layouts, depending on what you want to see. Love the back lit switches on the handle bars. Keyless ignition is great as you can ride and stop, lock the steering all without having to take a key with you (key pad entry) or having to take the key out of your pocket, but as standard you need the key for the fuel tank. Standard end can is heavy and keeps the bike quiet. No baffle removal option and once changed the exhaust note is so much better what ever option you chose. I have the Ducati alarm and immobiliser which has been trouble free. Also have an optimate charge plug fitted by the dealer free of charge.

Awesome, brakes are spot-on.

Never get tired of hearing the engine growl, it pulls forever.

No problems so far.

Cheap to run unless you are in 'sport' mode, drinks fuel on this setting.

Its got almost everything, although heated grips would have been nice.

Again only have the standard XdIavel but brakes are still very good and apart from some minor movement over bumpy B roads very comfortable, as good as any naked.

Engine is excellent, not quite Harley/Victory pull at

Only had bike 4 weeks, superb quality throughout.

Even the standard version isn't cheap, but expect normal Ducati servicing costs. Even if giving the big motor some beans still getting good mpg.

The seat/handle bar combination is very comfy, i am 6ft and standard setup is perfect. Wind blast not too bad for a cruiser but may need a screen in the future for very long high fast runs.