2011 Ducati Diavel - First Official Photo

After months of speculation and a multitude of spy photos making their way to the Web, Ducati has released the first “official” teaser image of its new musclebike. With this motorcycle’s first public appearance scheduled for the EICMA International Motorcycle Show in November, Ducati decided to give us this tidbit to chew on while we wait.

The release issued by Ducati officially confirmed the name of its power cruiser as Diavel—pronounced Dee-ah-vel, which means "devil" in the local Bolognese dialect. The name was coined after the first prototype was shown to a group of Ducati engineers and technicians, and one of them commented that it was "Ignurànt comm' al diavel!" Meaning: "Evil, like the devil!" The idea stuck, and Diavel became the nickname for the project and now the official name for the 2011 production bike.

The only details we know about the VMax-like Diavel is that it will feature all of Ducati's latest technological know-how, including ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Riding Modes, and it will use the same Testastretta 11-degree engine that powers the current-generation Multistrada. Ducati claims that the bike will weigh 456 pounds, which, if accurate, undercuts the Yamaha VMax by a whopping 220 pounds. Cycle World will have extensive coverage from the 2010 EICMA show, so stay tuned for much more.