Launched with a BS6 compliant engine, the Ducati Diavel 1260 has made a comeback in the Indian market. Along with the standard model, Ducati has launched the Diavel 1260 S, which comes equipped with uprated cycle parts.
The Ducati Diavel 1260 has made a comeback with a BS6 compliant engine at an impressive price of Rs 18.49 lakh. The more heavily equipped Diavel 1260 S demands a higher price of Rs 21.49 lakh. The Italian hyper cruiser continues to rival the Triumph Rocket 3 R, which recently received a price hike. The Rocket 3 R is priced at Rs 19.35 lakh and the Rocket 3 GT demands Rs 19.95 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.
To keep the comparison fair, we shall consider the standard variants of the two premium cruisers. Following is a spec comparison between the BS6 Ducati Diavel 1260 and the 2021 Triumph Rocket 3 R.
Styling
In terms of styling, key design elements such as a single-sided swing-arm and an exposed rear wheel are common between the two. The Ducati uses a modular chassis, which employs the engine as a stressed member. The exposed bits of the frame painted in red add to the styling appeal of the Italian motorcycle. The Triumph Rocket 3 R, on the other hand, gets a very retro twin-pod headlamp assembly with beefy forks. The rocket 3 R gets exposed exhaust headers – on the right side – while the engine casing and other components are visible on the left. This asymmetrical design has its own charm.
Engine
If the size is what you’re looking for, the Triumph Rocket 3 R is the clear winner, as its engine’s displacement is twice as much as that of the Ducati Diavel 1260. The engine layout is different as well, the Ducati packs an L-twin engine as opposed to the in-line three-cylinder engine of the Triumph. The Rocket 3 R gets a longitudinally-mounted engine, whereas the Ducati houses the Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262cc L-twin motor in a tubular steel trellis frame. The engine packaging of the Ducati Diavel 1260 allows it to be easier in terms of manoeuvrability than the Triumph Rocket 3 R.
| Ducati Diavel 1260 | Triumph Rocket 3 R | |
| Engine | Ducati Testastretta DVT 1262cc, L-Twin | Inline 3-cylinder, 2,458cc |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Power | 157bhp at 9,500rpm | 165bhp at 6,000rpm |
| Torque | 129Nm at 7,500rpm | 221Nm at 4,000rpm |
Mechanicals
The Rocket 3 R gets a 150mm section front tyre with a 17-inch wheel. The Diavel 1260, on the other hand, gets a relatively slimmer 120mm section front tyre and a similar-sized wheel. The rear tyre is equally wide on both the motorcycles; however, the tyre profile and rear wheel sizes are different. For braking, both the cruisers use a twin-disc setup of the same size at the front. The Rocket 3 R gets a larger disc in the rear than the Diavel 1260.
| Ducati Diavel 1260 | Triumph Rocket 3 R | |
| Front Suspension | 50mm Adjustable USD forks | Showa 47mm USD Forks |
| Front Wheel | 120/70 R17 | 150/80 R17 |
| Rear Suspension | Adjustable Monoshock | Adjustable Showa Monoshock |
| Rear Wheel | 240/45 R17 | 240/50 R16 |
| Front Brakes | 320mm Twin Disc, Brembo monobloc 4-piston M4.32 callipers | 320mm Twin Disc, Brembo M4.30 Stylema 4-piston monobloc calipers |
| Rear Brakes | 265mm Disc, 2-piston Brembo calliper | 300mm disc, Brembo M4.32 4-piston monobloc caliper |
| Kerb Weight | 244kg | 291kg |
Electronics
The Rocket 3 R get a hill-hold assist, which is absolutely necessary for a motorcycle that tips the scale at 291kgs. Both cruisers benefit from six-axis IMU-based cornering ABS, wheelie control, and traction control. Both cruisers offer cruise control, along with different riding modes.
Pricing
The BS6 Ducati Diavel 1260 starts at a lower price point than the Triumph Rocket 3 R. For Rs 86,000 more, the Rocket 3 R offers a larger engine than the Diavel 1260 – in fact, it's the world's largest production motorcycle engine. The Diavel 1260 S, on the other hand, asks for a premium of Rs 3 lakh over the standard model and Rs 1.54 lakh over the Triumph Rocket 3 GT.
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