Ducati XDiavel V4 (2025) Review: Dancing with the Diavel

The Ducati XDiavel has always been a bit of a mad machine. Part power cruiser, part superbike, and part street dragster — it’s never been afraid to blur lines. 

For 2025, Ducati has fitted it with the full-fat V4 Granturismo engine, freshened up the design, trimmed a few kilos, and given the electronics suite a meaningful upgrade. The result? A more rounded, more capable, and (dare I say it) friendlier XDiavel. But don’t worry, it’s still got teeth.

Design: New Look, Familiar Swagger

The 2025 XDiavel V4 gets a visual update that leans more towards street muscle than cruiser cool. The long, low stance remains, but there’s more tension in the lines now. The new quad-exit exhaust looks like a weapon system, and that ginormous 240-section rear tyre brutally dominates the aesthetic. Ducati has made subtle changes to the tank, tail, and front lighting, giving it a more sculpted, modern presence. It’s a looker, not quite as theatrical as before, but definitely more resolved.

Engine: V4 Granturismo Brings the Boom

Turning to the engine, gone is the old 1,262cc Testastretta twin, and in its place comes Ducati’s 1,158cc V4 Granturismo engine — the same one found in the Multistrada V4 models. Power is a claimed 165bhp at 10,750rpm, with 93lb ft of torque, and it revs like a sportsbike compared to the old unit.

But here’s the magic: Ducati hasn’t just shoved that V4 engine into a cruiser chassis and called it done. a lot f work has been done to ensure the V4 is the perfect propulsion system for the new bike. The torque delivery is incredibly smooth, and it’s geared in a way that makes every ratio usable. Stick it in third and roll on, and it goes like stink, or dance around the gear lever like a maniac. Whichever way you ride it, the XDiavel never feels like it’s trying to launch you off. It just grips, feels planted and gets all the power to the road. The desmo-less valve system means 37,000 miles between valve checks, and it sounds delicious, especially with the new pipework firing that distinctive V4 growl up the right-hand side of the bike.

Handling: Shockingly Capable

One of the biggest surprises is how well it handles. This is still a 229kg cruiser (wet with no fuel), but you wouldn't guess it from the seat. The wide bars, low CG, and clever geometry mean you can hustle it through corners much more confidently than you’d expect. It’s also surprising how light the steering of the new XDiavel is. Slow-speed riding is a doddle, and it actually made the bike feel remarkably easy to thread through traffic as we navigated French rush hour.

Up front, you’ve got fully adjustable 50mm USD forks, and a single-sided swingarm at the back with a monoshock that's preload and rebound adjustable. Both ends of the bike are suspended by Marzocchi. Brembo Stylema calipers haul it up with zero drama, and the bike stays remarkably composed even when you're heavy on the anchors. As you’d expect, the lever feel is perfect, and should you trigger the cornering ABS (and you’ll have to try very hard to), it intervenes beautifully smoothly. No, it’s not a Panigale. But you can ride it like one for longer than you’d think - and that’s really saying something.

If there was one part fo the day where the XDiavel started to feel out of its comfort zone, it was on a stretch that was peppered with multiple tight, switchback hairpins. Given its 1,620mm wheelbase, it's hardly a surprise, and if you stick to fast sweeping corners, you'll never be disappointed.

Electronics: Ducati’s A-Game

As you’d expect, Ducati hasn’t skimped on the electronics. You get the latest generation rider aids, including cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and cruise control. The riding modes are well-judged, and each one feels distinctly different from the others. You also get Ducati Power Launch (DPL) Evo, which lets you go full Fast & Furious at every set of traffic lights - if that’s your thing. And on this bike? It kind of is. Once up to speed, you have Ducati's latest generation quickshifter, which works faultlessly regardless of the pace you are riding. It allows for clutchless up and downshifts and will even allow gear changes on a trailing throttle, which is handy.

The new bike also gains Ducati’s extended rear cylinder deactivation, which effectively kills the rear bank of cylinders when idling or riding slowly around town. The system works well around town, helping to reduce the heat you feel on a hot day, although out on the open road, it can make the bike feel choppy coming into slower corners. On a couple of occasions, when the rear cylinders deactivate, it changes the feel of the engine braking, and likewise, at the apex, it could make getting back on the power feel a little abrupt. Sadly, the system can’t be switched off (it’s a homologation thing) as it would be good to have bespoke deactivation maps for each riding mode, and the option to turn it off altogether.

Another slight negative, and I’m nitpicking here, is the traction control, which can be hesitant to disengage when triggered. On a couple of occasions, I could feel the system cutting in, but it felt like it took a bit longer than I’d have liked before it allowed the power back through to the rear wheel. Like I said, it's a minor niggle in an electronics system that is otherwise top-spec.

What I like about the electronics is the new ultrawide TFT dash. It looks like the same unit as fitted to the 2025 Streetfighter and Panigale V4s, and it’s a very nice piece of kit. It’s optically bonded, making it super easy to read and premium looking, and nestled between the handlebars of the XDiavel, it looks perfectly at home on this thoroughly modern power cruiser.

Riding modes that make a meaningful difference

Another key takeaway from the launch was how much distinction there is between the riding modes. I spent most of the morning flicking between Sport and Touring, although I found the less sporty mode to be the sweetspot. The throttle connection in Touring mode has a nicer, more forgiving feel, and as you still have all the power from the V4 engine on hand, it’s just as quick on the road.

I also got to sample the Rain mode, thanks to a biblical deluge as we rode back to the hotel. Flick the bike into that mode and it’ll give you the softest throttle map on the planet, and with power capped at 115bhp, it feels a very approachable and accessible bike.

Comfort: Cruiser Genes, Ducati Finish

The XDiavel’s always been the comfiest of Ducati’s muscle twins, and the V4 continues that trend. The forward foot controls let you stretch out without feeling like you’re riding a La-Z-Boy, and the new seat shape gives you enough back support when you're exploiting the V4’s torque that you don’t end up flying off the back of it. The vibes are minimal (thanks to rear cylinder deactivation at idle and clever balancers), and heat management is improved. You could tour on this - genuinely. The riding position is also actually pretty good. There are a few cruisers on the market that, should you ride them all day, would kill your lower back thanks to their extreme ergonomics. That’s not the case here, as you get the full feet-forward and arms-out experience, without any of the back pain.

The 2025 bike gains another boost on the comfort front thanks to 5mm more travel at the rear. Now, that doesn’t sound much, but it makes a huge difference when navigating potholes and bumps. The clever people at Borgo Panigale have also managed to add in the extra cushioning (and revised shock settings) without taking away any cornering poise or performance. In fact, in that respect, the new bike is probably better than the old, as it’s less prone to being upset by mid-corner lumps and bumps and feels slightly more sat on its nose than before.

Verdict: The Best XDiavel Yet?

The XDiavel V4 is the most complete version of the idea Ducati first brought to life almost a decade ago. It's still wild, still fast, and still makes no real sense on paper. But now it rides better, handles with more precision, and won’t punish you for taking the long way home. It genuinely feels like a thumping great super naked, masquerading as a custom power cruiser.

The engine’s sublime, the looks are sharp, and Ducati’s finally turned the XDiavel into a bike that feels like more than just a statement piece. It still has presence and drama, but now it’s underpinned by real-world rideability. Is it for everyone? No. But if you want something that’ll pin your arms back and turn heads at every petrol station but still make you smile on a 200-mile Sunday, this is the one.

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