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Ducati Diavel vs. Harley-Davidson Breakout

Comparison test of a different kind

The same type of motorcycle, two completely different philosophies and one key question: Can the Ducati convince the die-hard Harley freak, and how is it the other way around?

Gargolov

Which machine can convince? The Ducati or Harley-Davidson?

The Ducati Diavel came first in the Cruiser category when it was voted Motorcycle of the Year. The second went to the CVO breakout from Harley-Davidson. Two motorcycles of the same type could hardly be more different: on the one hand a dynamic power cruiser, on the other a show bike in drag style. The result of the readers’ choice and the fact that Harley is now also offering the strictly limited and immediately out of print CVO-Breakout in a cheaper version, led to the idea of ​​a comparative test of a different kind.

Ducati Diavel vs. Harley-Davidson Breakout

Comparison test of a different kind

Test two MOTORCYCLE heroes

For this reason, a call was made on the homepage of the MOTORRAD-Helden-Club from mid-March: To compare the Ducati-Diavel and the new Harley-Davidson Breakout, we are looking for two club members who will be on the road with the test bikes for a day get to know the motorcycles. The prerequisite for applying for this reader test was to own one of the motorcycles mentioned. No problem with the Ducati Diavel, because the machine was sold extremely successfully. Things were different at the Breakout – the new Harley wasn’t even on sale at the time of the test. For this reason, all Harley Big Twin drivers were allowed to apply.

The MOTORRAD team filtered out two subscribers from the pile of applications: Frank Schaffert, owner of a 2008 Harley Fat Bob, and Manfred Beer, who brought himself a high Diavel seat for the test, which he also installs privately on his Ducati Has. That fit perfectly, both Manfred and Frank are over 1.90 meters tall. While Manfred, who lives near Lubeck, had to travel over 700 kilometers, the editorial office for Frank is practically on the doorstep, he lives in Leonberg near Stuttgart.

On the morning of the start of the one-day excursion, the sky is overcast, rain clouds threaten, but the atmosphere is relaxed. The other machine is new territory for both drivers. Frank has never driven Diavel, nor does he know the powerful Ducati V2 engines from other models. Manfred, on the other hand, has never ridden a Harley. “It was never an option for me because I believe that motorcycling must always be dynamic. With the best will in the world, I can’t imagine how you can be sporty with such a Harley-Brummer … "

Unfortunately, the breakout brings with it the most unfavorable prerequisites to dispel Manfred’s prejudice. Because the extremely flat styled breakout has, due to its construction, only little freedom of inclination. Frank, on the other hand, is overjoyed. He is not only interested in the Diavel, but also in the 103 cubic inch Harley engine. “My Fat Bob has the 96 twin cam engine in it, and I’ve always wanted to know if it was worth switching to the 103,” he says.

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Gargolov

"And Frank, can you get excited about the Ducati??" – "Yes, it is not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be."

The route meanders along small back roads through vineyards and blossoming orchards towards Heilbronn. First break after 50 kilometers. Manfred gets out of the well-known Diavel saddle with a big smile: “I’m always thrilled and after every ride I know that I’ve bought the right bike.” Frank seems a little thoughtful: “I promised myself more of the 103 cubic meters. My Fat Bob is noticeably better then. ”Well, seven cubic inches, or 110 cubic, is not really much more than that. "But it could also be because my Fat Bob breathes in through a Hypercharger and exhales through AMC silencers …

During the cigarette break, the guys circle both bikes and compare them based on the technical data. If you include the additional costs, both motorcycles cost exactly the same at 20,895 euros. “When you take the Breakout off the stand and balance it, you don’t even notice the 324 kilograms. The mass is only noticeable when you push it, ”says Frank, who is used to such weights. Manfred grins to himself – the Diavel is a whopping 86 kilograms lighter. The difference in length is also less than what it looks like. At 1710 millimeters, the breakout wheelbase is only 120 millimeters larger than that of the Ducati, which looks comparatively compact. But the sound differs by worlds. “It’s one to zero for the Ducati,” Frank admits. “It’s so cool ex works that the accessories industry is literally looking down the pipe.” Manfred then starts the Harley, the engine noise of which is no longer noticeable in the presence of the Ducati. The two nod to each other, enter the corridors, engage the clutch.

We continue on beautiful winding back roads to the motorway. The two of them stroll through towns, marvel at their reflections in the shop windows and obviously have fun. One of the milestones is Hockenheim. The last 40 kilometers there are unwound on the motorway. Frank and Manfred obediently follow the 120 km / h restriction. When this is lifted, however, Frank shoots up and away on the Diavel. A top speed of 255 km / h is possible with it. The breakout manages 180 km / h. But Frank is quickly back in sight. When no one is behind him, he hits the brakes really hard and the two cruise towards their destination at around 130 km / h. Shortly before Hockenheim, the team takes a break. Time for a first summary: “Awesome!” Grins Frank as he climbs out of the Diavel saddle. “The acceleration is insane. Regardless of whether you are standing still or simply charging on the motorway. This power surprises me. From 3000 rpm there is always more than enough power. Fan-tas-tic. Add to that the brute sound and the famous brakes – with me there would be a great risk of losing my driver’s license. ”Manfred does not share this fear. “Breakout is like vacation to me,” he says. “It’s never really about being fast or weird. If you can handle it, it’s nice and relaxing. In the long run, however, the very sluggish engine and the seating position annoy me. I can’t get under my long legs at all. ”Frank has advice, because Harley accessories offer a wide range of forward pegs.

Gargolov

Two V2 worlds: pounding and phlegmatic the Harley engine, potent and almost aggressive the Ducati drive.

When it comes to braking, they both agree: The Breakout just got a “sufficient” rating, the Diavel a “very good” rating. “And that, although the rear brake on the Ducati, in contrast to the Harley, hardly has any effect,” confirms Frank. When it comes to engines, there is a disagreement: "The Ducati-V2 is in a completely different league thanks to its immense power," says Manfred and defends the breakout. The performance measurement carried out a few days later confirms his opinion. While all of the promised 153 hp on the Ducati are found on the MOTORCYCLE test bench, the measured 69 hp (Harley) lag a little behind the manufacturer’s specification of 75. Just as drastic as with the performance is the difference in the width of the usable speed range. The Harley-Twin can be moved extremely low-speed from idle speed, you drive the Milwaukee-Twin in the tidy between 2000 and 3000 turns. Although the air-cooled long-stroke engine rotates up to 5500 rpm, it seems tough at the last 1000 rpm. The Ducati is completely different, whose water-cooled short-stroke drive jerks unruly below 2500 rpm, but above it releases a true performance inferno that the rev limiter only stops at just under 10,000 rpm.

Saddle up. After a detour to Hockenheim, where a veteran race is currently taking place, it goes on to Mannheim. Manfred warns to refuel. “In my experience, the Diavel has to be watered after 190 kilometers,” he says. Consumption of around 7.5 liters per 100 km is normal. The test consumption determined afterwards proves him right: on the brisk country road stage plus 50 kilometers of motorway, the test Ducati approved 7.1 liters, the breakout left it at 6.4 liters.

Gargolov

Ducati Diavel: “Sound from the first meter. Without overpriced accessories silencers and completely legal ".

In the Mannheim harbor, the two of them stand again next to the motorcycles. Time for another summary. “Actually, the Italians did everything right at Diavelli,” says Frank. “The rear is clean and you can see the wide 240. The Harley should have a license plate holder on the side so that the 240 also comes into its own. ”Manfred circles the Diavel. “You did almost everything right not only visually, but also on the chassis side,” he says, alluding to the steering behavior. Although both bikes roll on wide tires of the same dimension at the rear, the Diavel steers itself around worlds better, which is not only due to the more sporty chassis geometry, but also to the more roof-shaped Pirelli Diablo Rosso II.

“The wind at 140 km / h is more unpleasant on the Diavel than on the Harley. The head area is shaken badly, ”says Frank. “Probably because you’re sitting on a motorcycle instead of in a motorcycle,” ponders Manfred. “The sitting position would be too strenuous for me in the long run.” When it comes to workmanship, both agree: For the same money, Ducati gives you more. More technology, more power, more valuable workmanship and clever details. “The Diavel’s foldable passenger pegs are a hit alone. Not to mention the well-made rims, ”says Frank and sums it up:“ Riding a Harley is just another dimension of motorcycle riding. You can’t describe them in terms like dynamics or technology. It’s a way of life that you either like or not. Maybe you get more for your money at Ducati. But the loss in value is also much higher. ”According to recently published statistics, 24 of the 25 most stable motorcycles are Harleys.

Let’s get to the core question: Swap forever? Frank grins: “I could well imagine the Diavel as a second motorcycle. But I don’t want to do without my Harley. "Manfred is more rigorous:" No. The breakout is too difficult, too sedate and too lame for me. If there’s money left, I’d rather buy a Ducati. "

Conclusion

Gargolov

"Look at the Harley indicators: Big, ugly, strangely attached and also black – did they run out of chrome?".

Harley Breakout:
Frank schaffert
The 44-year-old mechanical engineer from Leonberg has been driving a Harley for the past seven years, initially a 1200 Custom, currently a Fat Bob. The motorcycle freak is interested in all bikes, he also likes to think outside the box and ride a motorcycle as much as possible. On his trips to the USA he rode almost all Harley models. The breakout couldn’t convince him because he thinks the handling and the look of his own bike are more successful. On the other hand, he describes the Diavel as a "definite temptation with the right engine concept and a design that you can definitely look at".

Ducati Diavel:
Manfred beer
From a North German one should generally assume that an inclined position is not necessarily important. But the 50-year-old mechanical engineering project manager from Sterley near Lubeck is out and about in the Dolomites at least twice a year and is also happy at home “when things really go wrong”. Because of this, the breakout is out of the question for him. “The Harley is too unsporting for me. The engine is too slow, the seating position too extreme. After that day, I know again that I made the right choice. Visually and dynamically. Besides, you don’t have to do a lot of tinkering with the Diavel before I like it. "

Data and measured values

Ducati Diavel Carbon Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout engine
type design Two cylinder four stroke 90 degree V engine Two cylinder four stroke 45 degree V engine
injection Ø 56 mm Ø 46 mm
coupling Multi-disc oil bath clutch (anti-hopping) Multi-disc oil bath clutch
Boron x stroke 106.0 x 67.9 mm 98.4 x 111.1 mm
Displacement 1198 cm3 1690 cm3
compression 11.5: 1 9.6: 1
power 112.7 kW (153 PS)
at 9500 rpm		 55.0 kW (75 PS)
at 5010 rpm
Torque 128 Nm at 8000 rpm 130 Nm at 3000 rpm
landing gear
frame Tubular space frame
from steel		 Double loop frame made of steel
fork Upside-down fork, Ø 50 mm Telescopic fork, Ø 49 mm
Brakes front / rear Ø 320/265 mm Ø 292/292 mm
Systems assistance SECTION SECTION
bikes 3.50 x 17; 8.00 x 17 3.50 x 21; 8.00 x 18
tires 120/70 ZR 17; 240/45 ZR 17 130/60 B 21; 240/40 R 18
Tires Pirelli Diablo Rosso II Dunlop D 407 / D 408 F.
DIMENSIONS + WEIGHTS
wheelbase 1590 mm 1710 mm
Steering head angle 62.0 degrees 55.0 degrees
trailing 130 mm 146 mm
Front / rear suspension travel 120/120 mm 117/79 mm
Seat height 1 770 mm 680 mm
Weight with full tank 1 238 kg 324 kg
Payload 1 162 kg 209 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 17.0 / 4.0 liters 18.9 / 3.8 liters
Service intervals 12,000 km 8000 km
price 20,590 euros 20,895 euros
Additional costs 305 euros included
MOTORCYCLE readings
Top speed * 255 km / h 180 km / h
acceleration
0-100 km / h 3.0 sec 5.5 sec
0-140 km / h 4.9 sec 10.6 sec
0-200 km / h 9.5 sec –
Draft
0-100 km / h 3.3 sec 7.7 sec
100-140 km / h 3.6 sec 7.9 sec
140-180 km / h 3.9 sec –
Consumption test 7.1 liters 6.4 liters
Tidy 239 km 295 km

Manufacturer information; 1MOTOR WHEEL measurements

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