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MCN Fleet: Ducati XDiavel, pillion seat reloaded

Published: 17 July 2016

Emma plans two-up touring trip on the XDiavel, but now with pillion creature comforts fitted

  • Ducati press shot showing the pillion back rest in action
    Ducati press shot showing the pillion back rest in action
  • Backrest should make XDiavel pillion rides less scary!
    Backrest should make XDiavel pillion rides less scary!
  • The XDiavel pillion back rest and comfort seat
    The XDiavel pillion back rest and comfort seat
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Let’s try that again, shall we?

Last month I made the mistake of taking a back seat view of my XDiavel S long-term test bike. It was only a brief journey, a couple of miles if that, but it was right up there as one of the scariest and regrettable two-wheel experiences of my life. Sure, I knew the XDiavel should come complete with a sissy bar, which needs to be professionally fitted in advance of your planned passenger trip, but my X had been supplied without one.

And besides, this particular pillion ride was only an impromptu affair just to save a bit of time following a road test.

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Not long after my update was published in MCN, a parcel arrived with a note, which read: “I read last week’s paper and thought you might like to try this. Much better when it’s fitted.”

It was from Martin Bridgehouse, Sales Manager of Ducati Manchester, and the package contained the XDiavel’s comfort pillion seat and backrest.

Its arrival was perfectly timed as I’m just preparing for a short caravanning break in Northumberland (yes, caravanning, stop sniggering at the back).

Now I can take the XDiavel with me so my partner Bruce and I can do a bit of two-up touring around the beautiful roads in the borders – hopefully with more comfort and less fear than our first pillion experience!

 

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By Emma Franklin

Editor - Resident two-stroke nut and fully trained journalist, Emma’s passion for motorcycling has seen her work across many of the UK’s best-loved motorcycling titles over the past 19 years, before becoming Deputy Editor on the world’s number one biking weekly in 2020 and then Editor in 2024. A consumer journalist at heart, she’s dedicated to cutting through marketing waffle and putting manufacturers’ claims to the test in order to get to the truth. Passionate about all levels of road racing, and a former club racer herself, she’s still very much a paddock regular through her support of partner, Bruce Dunn’s racing exploits – so if you see her at a circuit, feel free to say hello.