We all know Harley-Davidson has been the specialist in the cruiser world for years. But in recent years, metric brands (from Japan and Europe) have well and truly caught up in terms of comfort, tech, and most importantly, performance. The latest example of this comes from Italian behemoth Ducati, and it makes all your new-age Harley cruisers seem boring. Let’s dive in.
The Ducati Diavel V4 RS Boasts Over 180 Horsepower
Case in context is the new-for-2026 Ducati Diavel V4 RS. While the Diavel has already been one of the mightiest cruiser bikes in recent years, the ‘RS’ treatment dials things to 11. Out goes the Granturismo engine and in comes the Panigale-sourced Stradale mill. It displaces 1,103cc, boasts four cylinders, and fires at a sky-high 14:1 compression ratio. The result is 182 horsepower and 89 pound-feet via a six-speed transmission and a dry clutch.
It not only makes this the most powerful production cruiser today, but if you’re as skilled as Marc Marquez, the RS will let you reach 62 miles per hour in just 2.5 seconds. Not everyone is a seven-time champion, though, so Ducati has thrown in all the safety aids you can think of. We’re talking ride modes (with a new ‘Race’ setting), wheelie control, launch control, cornering ABS, traction control, quickshifter, and engine brake control. Creature comforts like LED lights, cruise control, and Ducati Multimedia System with turn-by-turn navigation sweeten the pot further.
Diavel V4 RS Engine Specifications
|
Engine |
1,103cc, Desmosedici Stradale |
|
Power |
182 HP @ 11,750 RPM |
|
Torque |
89 LB-FT @ 9,500 RPM |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed |
|
0-62 mph |
2.5 sconds (claimed) |
|
Service interval |
9,000 miles |
Ohlins Suspension And Forged Wheels Boost The Diavel’s Riding Dynamics
As fun as going in a straight line is, you need quality components to maintain stability. Luckily, Ducati is well ahead of us here. The monocoque aluminum chassis is identical to the standard Diavel V4, but it joins hands with Ohlins 48 mm USD forks and monoshock here. This is topped with forged wheels for extra weight savings.
Speaking of which, the V4 RS weighs 485 pounds (without fuel). That’s around seven pounds less than the standard bike, and you can thank all the carbon parts for the reduction (in addition to the wheels). These carbon parts play the perfect sidekick for the special red, white, and black livery.
Diavel V4 RS Underpinnings
|
Chassis |
Monocoque aluminum |
|
Front suspension |
48 mm USD forks |
|
Rear suspension |
Monoshock |
|
Wheels |
17-inch forged |
|
Front brakes |
2x 330 mm discs (Brembo Stylema caliper) |
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Rear brakes |
265 mm disc (Brembo 2-piston caliper) |
|
Weight |
485 pounds (no fuel) |
The Ducati Diavel V4 RS Costs Close To $40,000
With bragging rights of being the world’s most powerful cruiser today, it’s no surprise that the Diavel V4 RS isn’t easy on the pocket. It is priced at $39,995, which makes this one of the priciest cruisers today. For example, the 180-HP Triumph Rocket 3 Storm starts at $25,495 while the 175-HP Buell Super Cruiser is priced at $25,900. Yes, you save a lot of money with these, but we don’t think either can match the V4 RS’ componentry, let alone come close.
Diavel V4 RS Rivals
- Ducati XDiavel
- Buell Super Cruiser
- Triumph Rocket 3 Storm