Ducati has unveiled a new XDiavel-based concept at this year’s Sturgis motorcycle rally, said to be the largest motorcycle gathering in the USA and the world’s foremost cruiser event.

The XDiavel, already a winner of the Red Dot Design Award in 2016, has now been given an American design influence by Californian customiser Roland Sands.

The special one-off build features a one-piece body fixed to the distinctive Ducati trellis frame, a 19” front wheel, and a number of billet aluminium additions – all of which Sands says helps transform the bike into a sport-chopper cruiser while still retaining its Ducati ‘DNA’.

“The XDiavel is a beast. A wolf in wolves’ clothing and a serious piece of speed equipment,” said Sands. “We really wanted to pivot off all that amazing technology and not mess it up by tearing it out. So the bike is still very stock from a functional standpoint. The bike was a 3-month build, with careful consideration and deliberation about the direction of the design. Ultimately, we decided to twist the aesthetic while retaining decidedly ‘stock’ bike functionality.”

First unveiled towards the end of last year, the new XDiavel was a challenge for both Ducati and its Style Center, entrusted with the task of evolving Ducati in the direction of the cruiser world for the very first time.

The bike has been created to principally target the U.S. market, as North America remains the Bologna brand’s largest market, with 12,136 motorcycles delivered last year.

Source: Ducati

Tags: 2016 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, chopper, cruiser, motorcycle design, Roland Sands, XDiavel