2021 Ducati Diavel 1260 BS6 Launched In India

The 2021 iteration of the performance-oriented cruiser is greener and more powerful than before

• The 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260 is also heavier than before.
• No other changes to the mechanicals.
• The ‘S’ variant gets Ohlins suspension, more premium Brembo M50 calipers, differently designed wheels and a bunch of other goodies.

Ducati India has launched the BS6 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260 in the country at Rs 18,49,000 for the standard model and Rs 21,49,000 for the S variant (both ex-showroom India). When compared to the 2020 model, the standard variant is Rs 79,000 dearer whereas the Diavel 1260 S is a whole Rs 2.24 lakh more expensive. 

For 2021, Ducati has tweaked the engine to comply with Euro 5 / BS6 emission norms. At 162PS, the 1262cc liquid-cooled L-twin motor is 3PS more powerful than before. However, it makes the same torque at 129Nm. Ducati says the engine offers a flat torque curve right from low to medium revs, which should ensure brisk and responsive performance. For context, in our test, we were able to get the BS4 Diavel 1260S from 0 to 100kmph in just 3.58 seconds. 

Thanks to the extra emission-restrictive equipment, the kerb weight has also gone up by 5kg to 249kg. The engine is reined in by the same set of electronic aids as before, including three riding modes, a three-level cornering ABS, eight levels of traction control and wheelie control, cruise control, and even a launch control system. This makes the Diavel 1260 one of the most loaded cruisers out there.

The bike is suspended on a fully adjustable 50mm inverted fork and a rebound and preload adjustable monoshock. On the other hand, the ‘S’ variant gets a more premium, fully adjustable Ohlins suspension at both ends, Brembo M50 front calipers, and differently designed wheels. On the other hand, the standard variant gets Brembo M4.32 radial calipers grabbing the large dual 320mm discs up front. Both bikes get the same rear 265mm disc with Brembo caliper at the rear. 

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While it is slightly more powerful than before, Ducati has not offered any tangible feature to justify the significant premium over the BS4 Diavel. The only other alternative in the performance cruiser genre is the Triumph Rocket 3, which retails at Rs 19.35 lakh (ex-showroom India).