Ducati's newest Diavel points to a resurgence of the V4 cruiser.
- Ducati continues to make V4 engine design a major part of its lineup, following the announcement of the new 2023 Diavel V4.
- For the price of $26,695, the Diavel V4 is as modern and sporting as a cruiser bike can be, but V4 cruisers aren’t a new concept.
- Yamaha and Honda have previously made waves in the motorcycle industry with rocket-like V4 models, and Ducati now carries on the lineage.
The V4 engine is the stuff of dreams for motoring enthusiasts. Small and lightweight with a hefty punch and a heavenly sound is a hard formula to argue with, and motorcycles have been lucky to be recipients of the popular V4 variants of modern times. From the Ducati Panigale V4 to Aprilia’s RSV4 and Tuono V4, the performance benchmark for today’s V4 models is akin to superbike status. In fact, Ducati has been steadily integrating its new V4 technology into its lineup, from the Streetfighter V4 to the Multistrada V4 Rally. But the V4 design is suited for much more than lap times and high-speed runs.
And Ducati is out to prove that with its new Diavel V4 model. The embodiment of a muscle bike, Ducati’s newest Diavel is powered by the company’s 1,158cc Granturismo V4. With 168 hp and 93 lb-ft of torque, the 491-pound motorcycle will be very fast, and it should handle well too. Upside-down front forks are compression and preload adjustable on the left tube and rebound adjustable on the right tube, with a rear mono-shock accounting for 5.7 inches of ground clearance at the rear. Lean too far and you’ll still likely scrape pegs, but this new generation of Diavel is certainly more athletic than its predecessor.
A standout feature of the Diavel has always been its staggeringly large rear tire, coming in at 240/45 ZR17.
Ducati
Having a seat height of 31.1 inches makes the model relatively accessible for shorter riders as well. Paired with its segment-slimming curb weight and a 240mm-section rear tire (yes, really), Ducati’s cruiser is set to be extraordinarily stable, or as stable as one can be on two wheels. The Volkswagen-backed motorcycle company has been a pioneering brand for rider aids, and the Diavel is no exception. With cornering ABS, switchable wheelie and traction control, and a proprietary multimedia system, the company’s only cruiser bike is an ode to modernity, at the starting cost of $26,795.
Modernity isn’t necessarily an attribute that even 21st-century cruisers have been known for. But Ducati’s still carrying on a lineage of cruiser history, even if it doesn’t realize it. Some of the best cruiser motorcycles have been V4-powered, making them surprising performance machines.
The second generation Yamaha V-Max was launched globally, shown here at its New Delhi, India, launch with India Yamaha Motor CEO Yukimine Tsuji, Indian actor and Yamaha brand ambassador John Abraham, and Yamaha India Business Head Pankaj Dubey.
MANPREET ROMANAGetty Images
Most recently, Yamaha produced the V-Max from 1985 to 2020 before production officially ceased. Second-generation units were good for 197 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque from a 1,679 cc liquid-cooled 65-degree V4, with a quarter mile time of under 11 seconds, and featured upright handlebars and standard position foot pegs with handling prowess in mind. When it was released in 2009, Yamaha argued it was the most powerful production motorcycle available, running 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds. That’s Bugatti Veyron fast. And the Diavel was actually a direct competitor to Yamaha’s V-Max when the Italian model launched in 2011.
Despite it’s pseudo-Harley Davidson styling, the Honda VF750 Magna was a well-mannered and exceptionally quick bike for the time.
Honda
Honda’s motorsports legacy is also owed to the V4 engine, with the NR500 race bike being the (admittedly rocky) gateway to its exceedingly popular commercial VF lineup. While the VFR Interceptor series went on to fame for its performance merits, an unlikely model became known as the Ferrari Killer thanks to its unassuming looks and stout power figures. The Honda VF750C Magna was a bulbous, awkward-looking bike in both of its generations, but it managed an output of 78 hp and 48.2 lb-ft of torque from a 748cc V4. That may not seem like a lot, but the modestly sized bike (550-580 pounds), its redline of 9700 rpm, and the relative ease of modification made it the cheapest and fastest cruiser bike available to budget shoppers.
Ultimately, many manufacturers have walked away from V4 production due to its high development cost and complicated production nature. The pre-requisite of having two cylinder heads, two exhaust manifolds, and two valve trains means building a V4 motorcycle is only profitable for the manufacturer if the model is sold en-masse at a high price. As motorcycles hit new strides in consumer popularity, manufacturers like Honda have shied away from producing flagship performance models in favor of accessibly priced and reliable transportation.
In the case of Ducati, however, backing from a large automotive group and its own legendary motorsports pedigree mean it has a base of development funding and swaths of guaranteed buyers. With V4 technology solidified across its model range, it only makes sense that Ducati gives a V4 Diavel a chance. You won’t hear any complaining about more V4 options on the market from us either, even if they’re a bit pricey.
Emmet White A New York transplant hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Emmet White has a passion for anything that goes: cars, bicycles, planes, and motorcycles.
Keyword: Do V4 Engines Actually Belong in Cruiser Motorcycles?