2012 Ducati Diavel Cromo vs Star VMAX - Arm-wrasslin' among titans

[@MrUltraworld]

My friend worked at a dealership called me up & told me about this savage motorcycle. He sold 5 of them & 4 came back bent up. I had to have one. I have owned 3 of them since 1985. My current Max is a '93 purchased new. It has a long rod motor, some trans mods in the name of durability. It makes 150hp to the tire & just over 100 lb/ft. It's an amazing ride that never ceases to put a big smile on my face. It's the equivalent to a Hemi Cuda W/ a Blower through the hood, Just faster

[@mauriziorandazzo6791]

2013 Ducati diavel Cromo...dyno @ 156.6 at the wheel! Just a slip-on, filter and plugs and 100octane fuel...10.29 dragstrip.

[@mauriziorandazzo6791]

going on 16k... on the diavel...

[@ralphpatton3559]

had drooled over the VMAX as a kid ...got married young couldn't afford my dream bike..kids all grown now ..purchased a used 85 model..love this motorcycle..a real head turner..love the adrenaline rush of the VMAX..very hard on tires though..

[@sdqsdq6274]

same here ,still haven own one yet

[@themalaailaanaa1347]

Get the gen 2

[@MrUltraworld]

You left out the $5k price difference. V Max's just don't break, and I have owned several now dating back to 1986. And if it does break, I don't need someone named Luigi in a white lab coat to fix it.

[@brandonbowerstx]

Just watched this and was about to jump in. VMAX is bulletproof maintenance. And that shaft drive will be kicking around long after that chain drive.

[@MrUltraworld]

Brandon Bowers I looked hard at the Ducati, talked to owners,and read up on maintenance costs. Then I bought the V-Max. A simple reprogramer allows for full power at all rpm now. Keeping back tires on it is still an issue. Aside a new fuel tank a few years ago, my '93 has never needed a repair, just maintenance that is pretty simple to do.

[@javedfazil6686]

Brandon Bowers what are the specs now after all this work? my brand new vmax is gonna arrive in 10 days

[@brandonbowerstx]

Javed faziljaved : Best to google that but I can tell you that top end goes up 30mph. Reflash, new exhaust and the airbox mod will get another 25hp to the wheel.

[@47485ksc]

Some motorcycle enthusiasts will spend the extra "$5k" for the right to own an Italian Exotic Sport Bike over a ill-handling, overweight, poor braking V-Max. Comparing a Yamahog V-Max to any Italian Sport Bike is like comparing a pig to a fashion model. Me? I'd prefer riding the model! The V-Max is a confused bike. It appears to have been designed by three or four men who never met! One took a touring bike engine (Venture with different cam profiles, etc.) another a frame that sits the engine too high and another who forgot it needed good brakes to haul the obese pile of pork down from speeds. The end result is a bike that refuses to corner if going more than walking speeds, brakes bad due to the excess weight (it weighs more than a Harley) and to "top it off" (no pun intended) you can't gas the bastards up w/o spilling it out the fill hole because it's buried under the seat and the opening is about the size of a quarter. The "designers" had to "design" in a plastic funnel/tray to dump that spilled gas onto the ground through a little hose so it wouldn't soak the electronics. The bike is just one Hell of a mess! Magazine testers loved it but still pointed out it's excess weight, poor brakes and inability to lean in corners. One magazine of the day ended the text of the test with: "...until you come to the first curve." I have 3 or 4 period magazine tests and the only reason they never gave them scathing reviews is the "editors" were/are a bunch of zit-faced dorks who hate Harley-Davidsons and love rice rocket shit. That and they couldn't afford to lose Yamaha's advertising income. Before you come back with a foaming at the mouth, curse filled response, remember this: "I post nothing but facts, not opinion and have been riding since 1965." You should have known.

[@superrones3952]

That Vmax is scary fast thats almost super bike territory with that ET.

[@mauriziorandazzo6791]

Lol...it better be for 1700cc engine! VS 1200 ducati and 2 cylinders less! I'll take the Maestro...DIAVEL!

[@1keykneedeep]

Had the chance to ride both this past weekend. Never was a Ducati guy. Until now. what an amazing ride. Great everyday ride. The Max is the 2 wheel version of the Incredible Hulk. Enuff power to take your front tooth out.

[@cat357727]

Ive had alot of bikes, now I own 2012 V-Max, you must ride one to understand when I say BEAST!! thats what my Maxxeen is a BEAST!!

[@vf12497439]

I have a 1st gen max and the thing I love is the attention at Harley events. Every one notices that V-Max. I was considering my next bike to be a Harley but now I think I'll just get a 2nd gen Max. Keeping my first gen tho

[@blazerbomb1]

I cant take his pronunciation of DIAVEL

[@china1013]

I thought that idiot was saying DFL. I didn't realize he was saying Diavel. That guy should be fired for being an idiot with his mispronounciation.

[@papatruss]

@Jimmy Rustled No he did not! Diavel means devil in Italian. Go ask an Italian to say it. I did ask and I 100% can tell you he is saying it wrong.

[@papatruss]

@Jimmy Rustled Also went to my local Ducati dealer to make sure. Maybe you should do your research before you start calling people morons!

[@teektalon3310]

@Jimmy Rustled I'm one of those morons that did his fucking research Jimmy and you are absolutely, 100%... WRONG.🖕

[@roseroyceGHOST]

V-max all the way!!!!

[@MrBarto96]

When i saw Diavel for first time, i fell in love

[@nicevmax]

Not a regular V-Rod but I own a 2007 VRSCR Street Rod. A little known version of the V-Rod. I love both the bikes featured here and have owned two first gen V-Maxes and loved them. First gen Max, old tech, cant afford new, looking for something in the same class, stumbled on the Harley Street Rod. Only made 06-07, taller ground clearance, steeper rake, Showa suspension, Brembo brakes, better exhaust. Cycle World called it One of the best kept secrets in motorcycling in there best used bikes page

[@BollasGeorge]

Diavel is a good bike but the V-max is a legend.

[@Man_With_Brain.]

Yamaha is legend*

[@snipes503]

For me it's just the cost. I liake the Diavel. But I could find two old Vmaxs fix them break them and fix them again by the time I got around to buying and servicing the Diavel.

[@yayoi1]

It's easy for Kevin Duke to say the Diavel is the better bike, he doesn't have to pay the high ownership costs. As for me, I'll take the Vmax's low running costs, high reliability and stonkin 200hp V4...

[@theodorebundy5310]

well said....

[@brucecarney4416]

read my reply to Fred Garvin above, we think alike (tho I'm 72 and can't ride now, I,m as big a fan of the V-ax even now) The Sportster was the Doo WOP V-Max.

[@mauriziorandazzo6791]

I grew up in Italy and what I've seen done to Ducati's vs any of the Japanese bike (a lot of great mods). No comparison...8 of 10 the DUCATI would smoke any of them...

[@mauriziorandazzo6791]

@@brucecarney4416 lol...coming form a WOP..anytime

[@mauriziorandazzo6791]

@@theodorebundy5310 EMAGINE IF THE DUCATI HAD 1700CC ENGINE!

[@leward]

Finally an official test between these two awesome bike. Thanks for the great review.

[@ComandanteJ]

do i have to feel bad if i absolutely love them both?

[@984francis]

Not at all. Actually it is refreshing.

[@1keykneedeep]

Me too

[@ZeroneRaven]

It annoys me so much when people who has their own preferences do a comparison between 2 products. They talk and give a lot of emphasis about the one they like, and don't even show the good points of the other.

[@robertmiller1757]

I have a 1990 VMax and its still running strong! Plenty of power especially when VBoost kicks in at 6000 RPM! Hang on!

[@MotoErgoSum]

The exhaust flapper valve in the Ducati mid-pipe is purely for noise abatement. The full termi exhaust eliminates it. I had mine chopped out after I put on a CW exhaust. Sounds wicked.

[@themalaailaanaa1347]

It's going to deafen you sloooowly.....

[@Qnickel27]

plus the maintenance plan for the testastretta engine is ridiculous, valve adjustments can cost thousands and the timing belts are expensive too

[@sirlds]

v-max still the bosssssss

[@fromtheedgeofdarkness]

The power of the 1700 vmax is legendary, I race one with BST wheels, re-flashed by Gurued Gear, it broke 165mph in no time. Last year it did 150.1mph in 10.83 seconds. Oh also, it doesn't go wrong.

[@Zionsol777]

what happened on that run? guessing must have had big wheel spin at the start to only run a 10.8 but still hit 150mph.

[@brunoaltimino]

The VMAX out performed the Ducatti in every category they tested. How is the Ducatti better? It isn't.

[@theodorebundy5310]

This is like comparing a PEE WEE 50 & a PORSCHE VMAX- Nothing compares, a superbike destroyer is an under statement. Best bike in a straight line. VMAX aka Badass.....

[@themalaailaanaa1347]

Turns well too....beautiful.

[@Paul_Zernick]

Not porsche, though close. Laborghini actually. Seeing as though lambo own ducati its race pedigree is fairly obvious.

[@BigUriel]

It's like people didn't watch the video and notice that they have almost the same quarter mile. The Vmax is a pig, lots of power but lots of weight too. "Superbike destroyer" is absurd, superbikes aren't designed for the drag strip, and even outside their element they can beat the Vmax. Show the Vmax some corners on the other hand and wave all the real bikes goodbye as they pass you.

[@wallybauermeister8680]

I enjoyed this video and got all the relevant information I needed. Who cares what accent this guy has, we know what he is talking about and I now can decide on which bike to purchase regardless of video quality and accents etc. Jeeze!!!

[@hawaiisidecar]

I like them both!

[@moomoodeadcow]

Like your style, dude. You're a true cowboy.

[@richsoar2009]

This is a game changing review.

[@michaelovitch]

oh. Thanks !

[@leebougz]

Brilliant review.

[@Jona2t]

4:42 what is a exhaust power valve? i know 2 stroke power valves, but 4 stroke i never saw that, nice video, greetings froms Argentina :D

[@FAlLVLOG]

V-MAX

[@Dannyboy1277]

Good video. I wonder how a v rod would stack up to these bikes.

[@neanderthor66]

Can you do a shoot out with these two bikes, along with the VRod and Rocket III?

[@Qnickel27]

lol at the Vrod, not trying to troll but the VROD has got nothing on these, it is fast for a harley, much like the Triumph Rocket III, very torquey but super heavy and cumbersome. just my 2 cents. Safe riding.

[@rasqo3]

vmax all the way, you dont but these bikes to be the fastest (easiest) in turns. that the only advantage the diavel got. vmax the best.

[@atxtomoo7]

Love my '09 Max. No comparison when it comes to comfort. I put some highway pegs on the Max so I can stretch out which is something that is not even an option on the Diavel. The Max also looks more hooligan even though the Diavel looks very good too. Both great bikes but comfort is the big difference for my decision to get the Max.

You learn quick to keep that V-MAX very balanced when your feet are down.

[@MacGuyReport]

I love my Vmax I bought it knowing nothing about it or its history just bought it cause it looks like something Batman would ride. Took it to a couple of bike weeks and at almost every light the guy next to me is shouting and pointing or whispering to his rider "that's a badass bike"

[@2cool0]

the diavel is one BEAUTIFUL sexy looking bike! oh my god such a different look to it compared to a lot of bikes and also just the whole shape of it man it looks so powerful. Nice big and stuff it just looks so powerful

[@somashekarmc]

That’s why I bought one

[@harishankar2386]

Amazing man he is bike ducati really Incredible he enjoy himself wow

[@debelt]

Having rode the Diavel I know it's an awesome performer. Handles more like a naked street bike. Power is incredible. Haven't rode a a V- Max, but it ain't all about straight ahead power. The handling on the Ducati is impressive In spite of the 240 rear tire as said.

[@madeenabibi4423]

If ur above 6ft tall can u have a long and comfortable rides on ducati??

[@gabbyhayes1568]

@@madeenabibi4423 They make different versions of the Diavel with regards to footpeg placement. I know there's a touring version of it with slightly forward footpegs and saddlebags, but I'm not sure that it's still in production. I'm 6'1" and while I found the standard to be quite comfortable, I would not want to tour or take long trips on one. But then again it depends upon your tolerance level.

[@madeenabibi4423]

@@gabbyhayes1568 tqsm ,have a great day..

[@edvilla1086]

I might have missed it, but what was the price difference?

[@Tjita1]

That Ducati is really cool looking. I'd want one of those.. Currently looking to get something in the 300-600cc range though, that's what my current economy allows for.. :)

[@liamj2363]

Fuck riding pillion on that Diavel, that perch is even shorter than that of sport bikes and with that kind of torque and no grabrail...

[@hipnopediabaires]

Vmax... but I rather enjoy a Bolt as well hehe. Great video man!

[@fujin09]

sorry i am not a native english speaker. what do u mean with bent up? like crashed?

[@aircooledgaming]

cowboy hat = +30hp

[@fujin09]

i agree on nearly everything you sad. i am 25 myself and drive a mt01 here in belgium. now i drove my brothers k1600gt from bmw, and it HAS 160+ hp AND it really is a grandpa bike... its literally sold by nearly exclusively 50,60 +. also i am surprised you say 50% of bikes sold in the usa is HD, wow! thats really impressive. i think their market share here is below 5% because most people like reliable commuters or sports bikes. enjoy the weekend!

[@imdamann3844]

Vmax is the best , others just chasing the legend !

[@asif555b]

how much did the domain name "motorcycle(dot)com" cost?

[@Roadghost88]

This is cool. It's really a rider's race. Not the most beautiful bikes, but distinct, brutal and muscular gives them a certain appeal. Would like to see them perform with track slicks and pro riders. I bet there's another full second in them.

[@TR_Swan]

I just want to see Gleason riding the new V-Max. Does the new brochure look like the original - head to head with a blown street rod - any similarity is purely intentional ????

[@michaelwalters3970]

What rear seat on the Ducati? Why have foot pegs.

[@michaelgustat1899]

Can I watch ONE motorcycle review on KZbin without the distorted guitar riffs?

[@CarlosAvilla]

Two great bikes. Only personal taste will make you buy one or another. I'd take the V-Max.

[@bepsiguy]

Ducati zx14r or Ducati Diavel?

[@MotorcycleGearHub]

Come on, if you're going to drag race the bikes, then at least keep the helmet's visor down. At 6:37, Kevin has his helmet's visor popping down. Good review otherwise. Yamaha: increase the fuel tank to 5 gallons or 20 liters and you have my money. The V-MAX could be a good tourer; read of owners touring on it but the fuel range is catastrophic.

[@themalaailaanaa1347]

Yup.....it keeps breaking your ride....

[@Coldestaevadoit]

What use is a passenger grab handle behind the passenger. Are you sure of what that is

[@crickle47]

Really pleasant review, looks like countryside around my town of San Jose? Music sucks big time.

[@borjastick]

Du Car Ti, alternatively as we in Europe would say Ducati = Du Cat ee, short sweet and correct. There's n R in it. As for Diavel, it doesn't have three syllables. It's Dee avel, flatten the el. In French if it was as you say it , they would spell it Diavelle with the emphasis on the elle.

[@bonnieboriboun]

borjastick i

[@jamesamante7843]

Dee avel has 3 sylables

[@Kenny-un6jx]

Vmax please!

[@peterholthoffman]

They said there is nothing else in the same class but I would think the Triumph Rocket III Roadster is close enough to be included in the same shoot-out.

[@sachinmb6479]

Anyone know Music playing from 00:10 when bikes are introduced

[@bearmorningsun5092]

I like how when he started talking about the Mrs. he hesitated then chose his words very carefully and still dug himself a hole when he said "nice wide seat" hahalol you can almost hear the Mrs. so by saying nice wide seat you were really telling your buddies i have a huge ass!

[@michaelovitch]

Diavolo + velocita = Diavel ?

[@keithbaggott5852]

I have the 2003 V-max with a few minor upgrades , nothing like it , in the drag strip I still make it n the low 10s 150 HP with a 550 lb bike with V power boost . I shock alot of newer bikes sure in the muscle bike class only one beat me and it is not these bikes it was the 85 V65 Honda magna. it had some upgrades as well but it was only A 10th of second faster.

[@themalaailaanaa1347]

The magna is beautiful bike.

[@TugarRider747]

Better bike, probably Diavel, but for me it would be Yamaha (Too many Diavels around here ;) ). But seriuously I kinda prefer V4 to L2. Though suspention of Diavel is just phenomenal. You wouldnt find better perfomance oriented power cruiser. :)

[@vf12497439]

Arguing over what bike is better cracks me up! Pick a manufacture and go with it! Like them Harley riders... Underpowered pieces of junk but those who love them would kill over them. Pick your color or brand and stick with it.

[@UltimateAveda]

Awesome bikes :D

[@shazzadauncon3682]

how tall the guy is ?

[@zato6226]

I can't believe you're actually using the clutch on a drag race!

[@chris7jakarta]

YOhMOhHOh!! It's Yamaha, tabaco chewing cowboy

[@Hadgerz]

Yawmahawwww! lmao

[@joeridestrijcker445]

"We took these two to the track...' ; well, no... to a dragstrip ;) ; I've seen several Diavels at track days, not a single VMAX (yet). Anyone has experience with the VMAX doing twisties or track days at all?

[@yungothee270]

if u dont know those muscle/superbikes of the 70's turned into these muscle cruiser like things in the 80's while sport bikes took over.. what these bikes are essentially is the continuation of those muscle bikes of old. thus, the vmax is like the xs1100 while the diavel is like the gt750 for the modern day.

[@freddieriboni6322]

The Ducati hands down.

[@1SaG]

Vmax all the way. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to me, neither are what I'd call "pretty" bikes. But the Diavel looks kinda ridiculous, while the Yamaha just looks bad-ass. And yes: The Ducati is probably the better bike all around, but you don't buy vehicles like these with your head. If you did, Harely-Davidson would've gone bankrupt a long time ago. ;)

[@Maxrider2009]

Two awesome bikes for sure, but I'll take my VMax over Duc any day. It's all about preferences, really. I love the balls to the wall, raw, unadulterated arm stretching power/torque that comes with the new Max. If I had the $ - I'd have both! :)

[@mociczyczki]

great test quarter mile for this bike just perfect

[@dudleyworks]

M109,VRod & any other POWER cruzzer will not come close to these 2 bikes. I'll run with any bike any of u guys have talked about.. Just because u have one doesn't mean u can ride ut.. Keep that in mind boy's & girls ;)

[@iSapan23]

Can someone please tell me how to lift the front wheel like that?!? I can't even do that on my cbr 600 yet i've seen some harleys do it. Pleaseee

[@streetgangtm]

Lol it's funny because when I'm riding a v-twin I think "Damn, I love having this torque and usable power instead of a shitty inline 4"

[@Tyrone696]

Loving the Ducati

[@trido1986]

i love diavel tank clock.we will have some water after a rain ride love it Ducati

[@miru021]

What an awful way of pronouncing a great name: Diavel.

[@billwalling8101]

Tuono

[@srlewis76]

You don't have the torque, however you can do a standup wheelie in second without dumping the clutch. Get to about 8k rpms and bounce the front up and accelerate carefully. Practice bumping it up and once you get the feel you can ride it a long ways. Wear a helmet and protective clothing!

[@FunkMasterJunk]

The Vmax is really cool, but it needs a make over. From the VMAX stamp to 80’s rear fender and seat.

[@markceconi6157]

Rode the second generation V Max, and was very impressed with its straight line speed, and visceral sense of power. Then I threw it into a curve. Very imbalanced-tall and tippy, and the brakes were just eh. Disconcerting, for a bike that musters up this kind of velocity. It’s just not happy at anything less than a right angle to the road. Then rode a Diavel, and was sold. Brought it home that day. It will positively destroy a V Max in the twisties. I’d agree that for reliability, the Yammie is the better bet-Italians can be a bit high strung. Looks-wise, the Diavel is art. The V Max, well-a teenager going through puberty with a few hairs on his upper lip. 😏 Both are formidable bikes, but IMO, the Diavel is the one I continually look back at when I swing a leg over and walk away.

[@RanDom-pl7fx]

If you want to look at your bike, get the DIAVEL, if you want to ride it, get the VMAX

[@nicevmax]

The Harley Davidson Street Rod would have fit in with these two bikes, only if Harley had more forsight, made it a bit more aggressive and new how to market the bike to the proper crowd, and also about 40 more HP. Most fun bike I have ever owned, a real Hot Rod, and the only V-Rod you can carve canyons with.

[@danmenefee5437]

If, if,if. If your aunt had balls, she'd be your uncle.

[@billrudolph8185]

@@danmenefee5437 The best comment I've read by far, I bought two brand new Harleys, and both of them broke down before ten thousand miles. The last one was a '17 117 inch Road Glide, blew the rear cylinder base gasket. Harley wanted $2600 to "fix" it while "still" under warranty, did it on my own for $400. I now own a '17 V MAX, flashed, piped, and airbox mod, dynoed at 200 hp at the wheel, granted it may not turn the best at speed, but it'll make short work of most ANY bike, short of the ZX14, on the straights.

[@PilotInsanity]

Wow a more flamboyant motorcycle seriously ducati fanboy much? Honestly I prefer the driveshaft,.. The End.

[@lot3741]

no radiator fan on the max??

[@stevewhite6252]

There are 2 fans.

[@BettaThenUpunk]

I'll take the VMAX because when people ask me what kind of bike I have I will be able to pronounce it.

[@stevecobblestone8829]

theres beauty in every bike...if i could i would own one or 2 of each...

[@poncoolride]

I have first gen versions of both.. just not thrilled with the looks of the 2nd Gen vmax.. also genuinely feel that the first gen diavel is better overall than the new one. the sound of that first gen vmax is fuck in amazing. mine has been converted to chain drive and bumped to 1428cc though.

[@Berghemrrader]

All two bikes are great machine, but Ducati sound are fantastic!

[@brucecarney4416]

Nice job of presentation by both of these young men. Somewhat a rarity now days in the era of screaming infomercial Emcees- better suited to exercise machine sales.

[@TheJtkirk]

Did he say the Diavel seat was 'scalloped'?Is this an American word,or does he mean 'sculpted'?

[@ADN1996]

the ducati is what we call a "paper bike" they just made it beat something else on paper. the ducati is unreliable, increased maintenance, higher maintenance cost, less comfortability, no passenger seat, etc.. the yamaha checks all the boxes while also being a real motorcycle that people are going to buy and ride.

[@47485ksc]

If you're talking about Yamaha's V-Max, I've yet to see one on the road in 35 years of production. Ducati's? I see one or two per day here in Southern Oregon.