Ducati Diavel V4 Review: The Ultimate Blend of Power, Style, and Comfort

The Ducati Diavel V4 is a motorcycle that defies easy categorization. It’s not just a cruiser, and it’s far more than a naked sportbike. It’s an audacious blend of American muscle-cruiser presence, Italian superbike technology, and a level of sophisticated design that has already won it international acclaim.

This is the bike that proves “comfort” and “168 horsepower” can coexist in a stunning, high-tech package. Our in-depth Ducati Diavel V4 review explores every facet of this machine, from the groundbreaking V4 Granturismo engine to the real-world riding experience, to help you understand if this is the ultimate expression of power and style on two wheels.

Ducati has long positioned the Diavel (whose name means “devil” in the Bolognese dialect) as its “mega-cruiser.” But with the 2023/2024 model, the bike has undergone its most significant transformation yet.

The iconic L-twin (a 90-degree V-twin) engine is gone, replaced by the 1,158 cc V4 Granturismo engine, the same powerhouse found in the celebrated Multistrada V4. This shift isn’t just an engine swap; it’s a fundamental change in the bike’s character, chassis, and performance, resulting in a machine that is lighter, more powerful, and, according to Ducati’s official data, more thrilling than ever. It’s a statement piece that rips from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in under 3 seconds while simultaneously winning one of the design world’s most prestigious honors, the Red Dot “Best of the Best” award for 2024.

The Heart of the Beast: The V4 Granturismo Engine

The centerpiece of the Diavel V4 is, without question, its engine. This isn’t just a motor; it’s a technological marvel that defines the entire riding experience.

From Two Cylinders to Four

The move from the Testastretta DVT 1262 L-twin to the 1,158 cc V4 Granturismo is the single biggest change in the Diavel’s history. While traditionalists mourned the loss of the thumping twin, the benefits are undeniable. This engine produces a staggering 168 hp (124 kW) at 10,750 rpm and 93 lb-ft (126 Nm) of torque at 7,500 rpm.

What makes this engine so special isn’t just the peak power. It’s how it delivers it. It features a counter-rotating crankshaft, a technology derived directly from Ducati’s MotoGP program. This design counters the gyroscopic effect of the wheels, making the bike feel lighter and more agile, especially when changing direction—a crucial feature for a bike with such a massive rear tire.

Furthermore, the “Twin Pulse” firing order gives it a unique sound and feel. It mimics the firing of two V-twin engines, providing immense low-end torque for cruiser-like grunt off the line, but it screams to a superbike-like redline, offering the best of both worlds.

Smart Engine, Comfortable Ride

Ducati engineering has also tackled two common V4 problems: heat and maintenance.

1. Rear Cylinder Deactivation: At a standstill or at low engine speeds (below 4,000 rpm in certain gears), the rear bank of two cylinders deactivates. This significantly reduces heat felt by the rider in stop-and-go traffic—a massive complaint on older high-performance Ducatis—and also improves fuel consumption.
2. Epic Maintenance Intervals: The V4 Granturismo boasts a class-leading valve check interval of 60,000 km (36,000 miles). This is a game-changer for Ducati, shattering old stereotypes about expensive ownership and making the Diavel V4 a genuinely practical bike for high-mileage riders.

A Masterclass in Motorcycle Technology

A core part of this Ducati Diavel V4 review must focus on its electronics. The bike is equipped with a state-of-the-art electronics suite managed by a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). This tiny box measures the bike’s pitch, roll, and yaw angles in real-time, allowing for a suite of sophisticated rider aids that are both performance-enhancing and life-saving.

Riding Modes and Rider Aids

The Diavel V4 comes with four fully customizable Riding Modes, all managed through a beautiful 5-inch high-resolution TFT display.

• Sport: Unleashes the full 168 hp with a direct and aggressive throttle response. Traction control (DTC) and wheelie control (DWC) are set to a minimum for experienced riders.
• Touring: Provides all 168 hp but with a smoother, more progressive power delivery. Safety systems are more present, and cruise control is enabled, making it ideal for long-distance journeys.
• Urban: Power is reduced to 115 hp, making the bike much more manageable in city traffic. Traction control and ABS are set to high-intervention levels for maximum safety on unpredictable surfaces.
• Wet: Also limited to 115 hp, this mode significantly softens the throttle and dials up all safety systems to their maximum setting to prevent slides on low-grip, wet roads.

This IMU also enables:

• Cornering ABS: Prevents the wheels from locking even when you grab the brakes mid-corner, allowing you to brake and turn simultaneously.
• Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2: Predicts and manages rear-wheel spin with incredible subtlety.
• Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO: Manages front-wheel lift under hard acceleration for maximum forward drive.
• Ducati Power Launch (DPL): A three-level launch control system for perfect, drag-race-style starts every time.
• Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down: Allows for clutchless gear changes both up and down the gearbox, adding to the bike’s sporty, seamless acceleration.

Design That Demands Attention

The Diavel V4 is pure, unapologetic rolling sculpture. Its design is dominated by four key elements: the muscular “shoulders” of the 20-liter (5.3-gallon) fuel tank, the massive 240/45 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III rear tire, the visually light and sporty tail section, and the stunning four-barrel “shotgun” style exhaust.

It’s this design that has earned it global recognition. In 2024, the Diavel V4 won the “Best of the Best” in the Product Design category at the prestigious Red Dot Awards, an award Visordown notes is reserved for creations that set a new standard. This followed other wins, including the Good Design Award and a Special Mention at the German Design Award 2024.

The lighting is just as dramatic. The front features a double-C-shaped DRL (Daytime Running Light) that gives the bike an aggressive face, while the rear taillight is a spectacular matrix of individual LEDs embedded under the tail. For passenger comfort, the footpegs and grab rail cleverly fold and retract into the bodywork, leaving a clean, solo-seat look when riding alone.

The Ride: How Does It Actually Feel?

This is where all the specs and design theories are put to the test. On paper, a bike with a 1,593 mm wheelbase and a 240-section rear tire should handle like a boat. The Diavel V4 does not.

Surprising Agility

The first shock is how light it feels. With a curb weight of 236 kg (520 lb), it’s a full 13 kg (28 lb) lighter than the previous Diavel 1260 S. This, combined with the new aluminum monocoque frame (which replaces the old steel trellis) and the counter-rotating crankshaft, makes the Diavel V4 shockingly easy to handle.

It tips into corners with an eagerness that defies its “cruiser” label. While you won’t be chasing superbikes on a tight racetrack, it dispatches twisty backroads with a level of confidence and poise that is simply astounding for a bike of this size. The fully adjustable 50mm front forks and rear monoshock provide a ride that is both plush and controlled. And when it’s time to stop, the dual 330mm discs with Brembo Stylema calipers—the same brakes used on the Panigale V4 superbike—provide ferocious, one-finger stopping power.

Ergonomics and Real-World Comfort

The Diavel V4’s riding position is a perfect blend. You sit in the bike, with a low 790 mm (31.1 in) seat height that allows most riders to flat-foot at a stop. The handlebars are 20mm closer to the rider than on the 1260, creating a more upright and relaxed posture. The mid-mount footpegs (for a cruiser) keep you in an active, in-control position rather than the “clamshell” pose of traditional cruisers.

This makes it an excellent all-day machine. As noted in a review by Road & Track, the bike is “stupidly comfy” for hours on end. The only real-world criticism for its touring potential is the lack of factory luggage options, which makes it more of a “going for a ride” bike than a “going for a week” bike.

The Diavel V4 vs. The World

So, what does the Diavel V4 compete against? The answer is… not much. It exists in a “power cruiser” niche that it largely dominates.

As the table shows, the Diavel V4 isn’t trying to be a Harley. It’s lighter and vastly more powerful. It doesn’t have the earth-moving torque of the Rocket 3, but it’s significantly more agile. And while it shares a weight class with the FTR, it offers nearly 50 more horsepower. Its closest rivals in performance are hyper-nakeds like the Super Duke R, but those bikes offer none of the Diavel’s cruiser style or (relative) comfort. It truly is in a class of one.

The Verdict: Is the Ducati Diavel V4 for You?

The Ducati Diavel V4 is an exercise in glorious excess. It is a bike for the rider who wants everything, all at once, and refuses to compromise. It offers the brutal, heart-stopping acceleration of a superbike, the menacing stance of a muscle cruiser, and a level of technological sophistication and design that places it in an art gallery as much as a garage.

This is not a beginner’s bike. It’s a premium, high-performance machine that commands respect. But thanks to its incredible electronics, surprisingly comfortable ergonomics, and newfound agility, it is a far more accessible and rideable “devil” than its specs might suggest.

This Ducati Diavel V4 review finds that Ducati has not just built a better Diavel; it has perfected the very concept of the power cruiser. It’s a comfortable, surprisingly practical, and mind-bendingly fast motorcycle that proves you can, in fact, have it all: power, style, and comfort.