In a city like Phoenix, where we spend so much time on the road, and our vehicles often act as avatars of our personality, we tend to look for the car or bike that will set us apart from the crowd. Today the focus is the motorcycle.
When looking at motorcycles, or any vehicle for that matter, we need to ask ourselves which vehicle is objectively higher performing, more fuel efficient, and the like. We also need to ask ourselves “Which is the best fit for me?” As far as new models go, I personally prefer the Ducati line up.
Founded in 1926, Ducati Motor Holding is a motorcycle manufacturer based out of Bologna, Italy. In the early years Ducati manufactured many motorized bikes and scooters, as was the style in Italy during the earlier part of the 20th century, but they eventually moved into producing some of the highest performing race and pleasure bikes on the planet.
Today Ducati is best known for high performance motorcycles characterized by large capacity four-stroke, L-twin (90° twin-cylinder) engines featuring a desmodromic valve design. Modern Ducatis remain among the dominant performance motorcycles available today partly because of the desmodromic valve design.
Of note is the new 2011 Ducati Diavel (pictured below). This bike is basically a designer’s wish list in a simplified “basic instincts” bike. With oddly sloping curves and sleek angles, this bike blends old Italian bike style with modern Asian super-bike performance. It looks bold and practical, but also looks as if it may have rolled off the set of Blade-Runner. The engine is a retuned version of the 1,198.4 cc (73.13 cu in) Testrastretta from the 1198 superbike, now called the Testastretta 11° for its 11° valve overlap (reduced from 41°). This bike is unique, and when it seems as if everyone and their brother (or sister) is driving a Harley, the Ducati Diavel rider will stand out on the road.
Phoenix Arizona residents can take a look at the brand new 2011 Ducati Diavel as well as the entire current Ducati line up at Scottsdale Ducati on Northsight Blvd, near Frank Lloyd Wright and the 101 freeway.
