Dance with the Diavel.

[Arsey]

There’s a new bike in the garage.
Well, when I say new, it’s 6 months old with 250 miles on the clock.
My mate bought it, despite having cancer but he’s nearing the end and wanted to get his affairs in order, including selling his bikes.
In saying that, he’s still working a bit and has the occasional ride out .
The X-Diavel would have been a hard sell as it’s not cheap .
So he’s taken my Vstrom 1050 in part ex , which is up for sale anyway at a local dealer. The idea being that the Vstrom is a lot less value and should shift sooner than waiting for a buyer for the Ducati .
I took it out today for a few hours, having briefly tried it in October.
It’s very nice, and seems very comfy with the forward controls . To be honest the full Akra is a tad loud even with baffles in .
I may end up refitting the OE system but it’s a days work in the workshop and would need the OE map reinstalled.Will see how I get on . It does sound epic though.
The full Akra system boosts power from 168 to 181 bhp and weighs 7lbs compared to 27lbs for the OE exhaust !

I took the bike back to my mate after trying it , and we agreed a deal , so he said you may as well take it now as heavy rain due tomorrow . So I transferred him the dosh and rode it back home, all of 2 minutes away .
I’m going to sort all the paperwork out for the bike swap to save him having to do anything .
Sad times but he’s happy with the deal and I’ve had a good deal without ripping him off.
Sad times though .

Suppose I better post a couple of pics

 

[Pops]

That is a strange looking beast but oddly quite sexy in a macho sort of way.
I guess the deal you did is the only way a normal person would get to try one of them so all power to you and I’m slightly jealous.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Awesome bike as a bruising cruiser type machine that actually ( the V2 version did) handles rather well

The only thing that I reckon is close is the Triumph rocket and in the looks dept the Diavel wins hands down and is probably a much better bike to ride ( I have not ridden a rocket)

 

[Gavla04GS]

It’s a ‘look’ and the visual treat and has a sight more presence than most bikes, agree better than a Rocket to look at (not ridden either).
The backstory to ownership is so personal, can see why it’s yours ahead of the weather.

Fair play and health to enjoy.

 

[DevonAl]

A beast of a bike and I always get an image in my head of Stallone riding it in his Judge Dredd gear when I see one!

Al.

 

[Oldrat]

Nice one Martyn, well done matey. Nice back story.

The Diavel is not really my cup of tea but I’ve not ridden one. I suspect that your arms will stretch a bit once you open her up! They are supposedly awesome beasts

 

[Guru Gora]

Akrapovic Gatling gun. Nice

Always great when both people walk away happy with the deal

 

[TIJ650]

There’s a new bike in the garage.
Well, when I say new, it’s 6 months old with 250 miles on the clock.
My mate bought it, despite having cancer but he’s nearing the end and wanted to get his affairs in order, including selling his bikes.
In saying that, he’s still working a bit and has the occasional ride out .
The X-Diavel would have been a hard sell as it’s not cheap .
So he’s taken my Vstrom 1050 in part ex , which is up for sale anyway at a local dealer. The idea being that the Vstrom is a lot less value and should shift sooner than waiting for a buyer for the Ducati .
I took it out today for a few hours, having briefly tried it in October.
It’s very nice, and seems very comfy with the forward controls . To be honest the full Akra is a tad loud even with baffles in .
I may end up refitting the OE system but it’s a days work in the workshop and would need the OE map reinstalled.Will see how I get on . It does sound epic though.
The full Akra system boosts power from 168 to 181 bhp and weighs 7lbs compared to 27lbs for the OE exhaust !

I took the bike back to my mate after trying it , and we agreed a deal , so he said you may as well take it now as heavy rain due tomorrow . So I transferred him the dosh and rode it back home, all of 2 minutes away .
I’m going to sort all the paperwork out for the bike swap to save him having to do anything .
Sad times but he’s happy with the deal and I’ve had a good deal without ripping him off.
Sad times though .

Suppose I better post a couple of pics

View attachment 471457View attachment 471458View attachment 471459View attachment 471460View attachment 471461View attachment 471462

Doesn’t the sad story behind the bike freak you out?! It would me.
Truly heartbreaking

 

[L2RKE]

Best looking Ducati in my eyes. And those Akro's,
Hope you enjoy your new steed.
Sad about your friend though

 

[Flappytabs]

Doing the right thing by a mate is what life is about, well done

Great bike too

 

[steve hughes]

Everyone deserves a bonkers bike like that in their life. You indicated earlier this week your pal didnt have long, but if this simple act means his life is less complicated then well done you.

 

[wessie]

they seem popular in the southern part of France. Sound lovely.

It amused me when I was sat at a bar in Le Puy and some chap turned up with a 6 foot teenager on the pillion of a V2. They spent 10mins kissing their mates, had one drink, another 10 mins kissing mates and rode off again. Quite a sight the way the youth contorted himself to fit on the back.

 

[Arsey]

Awesome bike as a bruising cruiser type machine that actually ( the V2 version did) handles rather well

The only thing that I reckon is close is the Triumph rocket and in the looks dept the Diavel wins hands down and is probably a much better bike to ride ( I have not ridden a rocket)

I’ve ridden a Rocket .
People compare them to the Diavels but I think they’re quite different.
Both bikes make similar power . The Rocket makes much more torque but weighs 100 kilos more !!!
The X-Diavel is very lithe and flickable. The Rocket is more like an ocean liner !!

Doesn’t the sad story behind the bike freak you out?! It would me.
Truly heartbreaking

Kind of , yes. But I’d rather help him now than see his wife try sort stuff out when he’s gone .
And I didn’t want either of them being ripped off .

Doing the right thing by a mate is what life is about, well done

Great bike too

The least I could do .
Plus it is an awesome bike and only my second Ducati after a 2006 (ish) 1000 Sport Classic

 

[richh]

Doesn’t the sad story behind the bike freak you out?! It would me.
Truly heartbreaking

How does that freak you out? Not like his mate died on the bike is it?

 

[johnnyboy]

Love the exhaust. It will be nice riding it whilst thinking about your mate, I very much get it...

 

[Bravo]

That's lovely.

 

[casbar]

Good on you for helping him out. Enjoy your new ride

 

[TIJ650]

How does that freak you out? Not like his mate died on the bike is it?

For many their bikes are more important than their wife’s ffs. Not sure why, but it would just bother me. I’d think of him every time I rode the thing?!

 

[Arsey]

For many their bikes are more important than their wife’s ffs. Not sure why, but it would just bother me. I’d think of him every time I rode the thing?!

I will think of Neil every time I ride the beast.But remember the good days.
Like this .
June 2006




Neil’s on the left . His 950SM, my Tuono.
I’m taking the pic .
I will ride HIS bike back to that very spot, when he’s gone , shed a tear then have a beer or three in his memory .

Anyway , the poor bugger is still with us , and miracles do happen

 

[Pukmeister]

Arsey,

well done for looking after your mate, you are a proper Tosser (I mean that as a term of endearment not an insult).