Styling is of course a very personal thing, as evidenced by the fact that Ducati actually sells any of the current Diavels which I think is desperately unattractive and feels like riding a bathtub. Yes it is quite quick, but it's not particularly extraordinary in this respect. If you're not used to that level of power with such an upright riding position, then I guess it will feel that way. What IS outstanding is the braking ability which is because it's long and another matter entirely.
But this new one that's been pictured? Well, it certainly IS a 90° V twin. I do wish people would stop inventing new fancy descriptions and just confusing the issue. WTF is an 'L' twin. Ok, I do know, but it's a made up term. As with almost all Ducatis, the cam drive covers appear at a larger angle due to the drive gear being above the crank. But it is very noticeable on the new Diavel pictures as they have machined highlights on the cam belt covers (someone mentioned they look like scissors, which they do). I would also certainly expect the DVT engine which would be a GREAT improvement.
The front end is very Monsterish now, but with more raked out forks and more traditional fork clamping at the yokes. The new frame also looks to borrow heavily from the current Monster's design. Also no bad thing as it looks so well in proportion to the rest of the bike. But the pictures show the current Diavel style of Brembo calliper rather than the new M50 design on the Monster 1200 and now MultiStrada. So I would actually expect/hope that to change so that it launches with M50s. But I could so easily be wrong.
The exhaust has been radically re-worked and my guess is to accommodate forward foot controls. The ones fitted do not seem too far forward, but this position interferes with exhaust pipes, particularly if they're big and fat. So looks like they've moved the pipes further under the bike to avoid this problem.
The rear end looks similar to the current bike which didn't really need changing, but the tank and further forward is radically different from the current Diavel and I would suggest this is a VERY good thing. As it is shown in the few pictures we've seen, I think it looks pretty good and far from at all ugly as others have opined. I do think the current one really is an ugly bike, but this new one looks pretty good to me.
Is it a cruiser? I'd still say no. By definition a cruiser is for laid back relaxed and essentially low speed riding. But it's hard to categorise something with elements of cruiser styling but very quick. Power Cruiser perhaps describes it best, despite being an oxymoron.
I would be very interested in a Monster 1200S with DVT engine, belt drive, Gear Position Indicator and while I'm asking, a fuel gauge. The current Diavel has the last 2 and the new one looks to have the first 2. So if it ended up with all 4 as would appear likely, need I wait for a Monster? Rather than add a Monster to my Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, maybe this new Diavel would suffice to satisfy both requirements?
Of course, these shots may not be at all like the final bike, so we'll just have to wait and see and that may be some while yet. A Ducati dealer just told me they have availability info for models through next year and the current Diavel is still listed. So this new one may not appear till 2017. As I said, we'll just have to wait and see.
