Ducati Unveils Revamped Diavel

With the 84th International Motor Show of Geneva only days away (March 6-16), Ducati today unveiled a freshened Diavel as a preview for the 2015 model year. The new Diavel sport cruiser will begin arriving in dealerships worldwide in April.

The accompanying press release was filled with extravagant phraseology but rather short on details on what makes the Diavel new, especially when it comes to styling.

The company simply said the “stunning, Bologna-built sport cruiser boasts enhanced design, comfort and ergonomics and a new, even smoother and high-performing engine.”

Ducati went on to proclaim that “the latest generation Testastretta 11° Dual Spark engine combines with full LED illumination, ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Riding Modes to deliver a confidence-inspiring superiority, while new styling, 162 horsepower and 205kg* (452lb) of pure Ducati drives a comfortable sport lifestyle previously only dreamt of.”

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Harley-Davidson is by far the most popular brand in the U.S. but that’s not the case in the U.K. In fact, Harley doesn’t even rank in the top five.

Having culled DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency) data, the website Visor Down determined the most popular brand is Honda with 247,209 registered. Indeed, Japanese brands made up the top four as Yamaha comes in second place (169,809), Suzuki third (143,200) and Kawasaki fourth (89,838).

British brand Triumph rounds out the top five with 79,368 registered. Completing the top 10 are BMW (55,656), Harley (40,663), Aprilia (25,286), Ducati (18,232) and KTM (13,283).

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Received an email yesterday from Glenn Harriman, marketing director of the Concours Owners Group (COG), with a reminder of the organization’s upcoming 25th annual rally to be held June 16-20 in Johnson City, TN. “We’re expecting a great turnout, lots of great riding, and a whole lot of fun,” said Harriman, who attached a poster. Always glad to help spread the word.