The British Cruiser That Beats Ducati On Price, Power, And Warranty
When it comes to performance, Ducati is a name that’s always at the forefront. So, when the Italian manufacturer decided to enter the cruiser segment, it brought that same philosophy along, and that’s how the Diavel was born. Over the years, the motorcycle has evolved considerably, with the current V4 iteration taking things even further.
As you’d expect, though, all that performance comes at a price, with the Diavel costing close to $30,000. And when you’re spending that kind of money, looking at alternatives makes perfect sense. Fortunately, a British contender that’s been around even longer is back in the spotlight, looking to beat the Ducati at its own game. And it might just have what it takes.
The Ducati Diavel V4 Is One Of The Sportiest Cruisers Around
For the uninitiated, the idea of a cruiser from Ducati might seem a little strange. And that’s a perfectly understandable reaction. The Diavel is something of a juxtaposition, combining the relaxed ergonomics and muscular proportions you’d expect from a cruiser with the sort of sporting character Ducati is known for. Its history reflects that unusual combination, too.
The original Diavel arrived in 2011 with a 1,198cc Testastretta L-twin, while the current model uses a 1,158cc V4 Granturismo. It produces 168 horsepower and 93 lb-ft of torque, which is quite a lot of muscle for something with cruiser proportions. The Granturismo also has a 37,000-mile valve clearance inspection interval, so Ducati’s traditional Desmo maintenance routine isn’t something owners have to worry about.
But It Costs Serious Money
Of course, this is Ducati we’re talking about, so you’ll need fairly deep pockets. The 2026 Diavel V4 starts at $27,995 in Ducati Red, while the Black Roadster version costs $28,995. Want more? The V4 RS gets a 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale engine producing 182 horsepower and will set you back $39,995. There’s also the more traditional, feet-forward XDiavel V4, starting at $28,995. And if you really have money to burn, the limited-edition Diavel for Bentley starts at a rather eye-watering $70,000.
The Triumph Rocket 3 Storm Plays An Entirely Different Game
Just when you think there’s no competition, Triumph’s Rocket 3 enters the party. It first arrived in 2004 and has gone through several iterations since, much like the Ducati Diavel. Today’s Rocket 3 Storm comes in two versions: the R and the GT. Think of them along the same lines as the Diavel V4 and XDiavel V4 we just discussed. The GT has a more traditional, feet-forward cruiser riding position, while the R gets a sportier roadster setup.
Since we’re comparing it to the regular Diavel V4, we’ll be looking at the Storm R. Those who prefer a more traditional cruiser experience can always consider the GT. Even then, this isn’t exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. Think of it as apples to green apples. Both are technically cruisers, but they approach performance from rather different directions.
The World’s Largest Production Motorcycle Engine Sits At The Center
Barring specialist machines like the V8-powered Boss Hoss, the Rocket 3 has one of the biggest claims to fame in motorcycling: its 2,458cc inline-three is the largest-capacity engine fitted to a mainstream production motorcycle. The Storm produces 180 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. That’s 73 lb-ft more torque than the Diavel V4, which produces 93 lb-ft at 7,500 rpm, while the Triumph also edges it in peak power with 12 extra horsepower. And all of that comes from just three cylinders.
Premium Underpinnings Run Throughout The Package
The Rocket 3 also gets hardware you’d generally associate with a high-performance sport motorcycle. There’s a full aluminium frame and a single-sided aluminium swingarm, along with 47mm Showa forks that offer compression and rebound damping adjustment. The rear Showa shock is fully adjustable and gets a remote hydraulic preload adjuster. Braking is handled by twin 320mm front discs with Brembo Stylema four-piston monobloc calipers, while the rear gets a 300mm disc.
The 17-inch front and 16-inch rear cast-aluminium wheels wear a 150-section front tyre and a massive 240-section rear. Power is sent through a six-speed gearbox, torque-assist clutch, and shaft final drive. Triumph also uses helical-cut gears, although its up-and-down quickshifter is available as an accessory.
Plenty Of Electronic Assistance Help Tame All That Muscle
With 166 lb-ft of torque on tap, a motorcycle like this could quickly turn into a widowmaker without the right electronic safety net. Thankfully, the Rocket 3 Storm gets optimized cornering ABS and traction control, along with four riding modes: Road, Rain, Sport, and Rider-configurable. These adjust the throttle response and traction-control settings to suit different conditions. You also get hill-hold control, cruise control, ride-by-wire, keyless ignition, and a full-color TFT display. There’s even a USB charging socket tucked beneath the seat.
The Ducati Diavel V4 Still Has A Few Tricks Up Its Sleeve
Of course, none of this means the Rocket 3 is objectively the better motorcycle just because it makes bigger numbers on paper. If you’re after something sportier, the Diavel V4 still has a few tricks up its sleeve. For starters, it’s considerably lighter. Ducati lists it at 492 lb without fuel, while Triumph’s published wet weight for the Rocket 3 Storm R is 699 lb. Those figures aren’t directly comparable, but even allowing for the different measurement conventions, the Ducati is substantially lighter on the published figures.
It also has a shorter 62.7-inch wheelbase and a counter-rotating crankshaft designed to reduce gyroscopic effect and improve agility. The aluminium monocoque frame, fully adjustable suspension, Brembo Stylema brakes, Ducati Quick Shift, cornering ABS, traction control, and wheelie control round out a more sporting package.
But The Rocket 3 Has The Upper Hand At The Checkout
Just when you think the Ducati has managed to claw back some ground, the Triumph brings the comparison back in its favour at the checkout. The 2026 Rocket 3 Storm R starts at $26,695 in the US, while the Diavel V4 starts at $27,995 in Ducati Red and goes up to $28,995 for the Black Roadster version. That’s a difference of at least $1,300 in the Triumph’s favour.
Warranty is a closer contest. Both motorcycles come with a two-year, unlimited-mileage factory warranty in the US, and both brands include roadside assistance during that period. Ducati also offers its optional Vehicle Service Protection programme, with coverage options extending up to five years and unlimited miles. Triumph’s US warranty information confirms the same two-year factory cover, but does not list an equivalent manufacturer-backed extended plan.
Source: Ducati USA; Triumph Motorcycles USA.
Related posts
Latest Post
No Comments