Motorcycles The 2021 Ducati XDiavel Dark Is Just a Paint Job

Last week, we somewhat breathlessly brought you the details of the “new” 2021 Ducati XDiavel Dark. It is a new Ducati, after all, and new Ducatis are always exciting. Except when they, um…

© Ducati Motorcyclist

© Ducati Motorcyclist

Look, there’s no easy way to say this: Ducati is out here trying to pass off a paint job as a new model.

And that’s not to say the XDiavel Dark isn’t rad—who doesn’t like a murdered-out, 167 hp ripper that won’t crush your spine—but come on. New paint does not make a new bike.

© Provided by Motorcyclist For 2021 Ducati is rolling out a sinister version of its popular XDiavel line—the XDiavel Dark.

If all that inky black pigment added 10 hp, or if the black paint on the fork somehow stiffened the damping, we’d be singing a different tune. But just like your iridescent visor won’t lower your lap time, the 1262 Testastretta L-twin that moves the big Duc doesn’t care what color it or the rest of the bike is.

MotoGP on TV today – How can I watch the Catalan Grand Prix?

The latest MotoGP triple header concludes this weekend at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona. Here's how you can watch the Catalan Grand Prix on September 27. © Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images Franco Morbidelli, Petronas Yamaha SRT Petronas rider Franco Morbidelli will line up on pole position for the first time in his career on Sunday, with Yamaha stablemates Fabio Quartararo and Valentino Rossi joining him on the front row.Jack Miller qualified a strong fourth for Pramac on a day factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso couldn't even progress to Q2.

The Ducati family expands even further, giving riders new emotions f or 2021 . Introducing the new XDiavel Black Star and XDiavel Dark , as well as the newest additions Episode 2 of the Ducati World Première is here! Presenting the brand new additions to the XDiavel family, the new XDiavel Black

Episode 2 of the Ducati World Première is here! Presenting the brand new additions to the XDiavel family, the new XDiavel Black Star and XDiavel Dark , as well as the newest additions to the @Scramblerducati Land of Joy, the new Desert Sled Sparkling Blue and the Scrambler Nightshift.

© Ducati Motorcyclist

Related: Ducati Motorcycles

In Ducati’s defense, it’s hard out here for a manufacturer. It ain’t like balancing emissions regulations with the demands for more power, more control, and more electronics from bleating keyboard jockeys is a game of checkers. It takes time, money, research, and yet more money, so we can’t expect a bleeding-edge new model every year. But that doesn’t excuse calling a blacked-out bike “Dark” and hailing it as a new addition.

© Provided by Motorcyclist Ducati makes much of the juxtaposition of the XDiavel’s cruiser stance and rake and sportbike power and suspension—hence the “X” in the name.

And, sure, you have to find ways to move units, or it’s all for naught. Hell, I hope Ducati sells 800,000 of these things a year. Writing about new bikes keeps me in ramen noodles and Banquet Beers, after all.

The Ducati Multistrada V4 S Looks Ready For October 2020 Debut

“Dancing with the Stars” contestant Nelly and his pro partner Daniella Karagach chat with Access Hollywood’s Zuri Hall about their performance to “Ride Wit Me.” Plus, does he think the judging on the show is fair? “DWTS” airs Mondays at 8PM on ABC.

Ducati renews the XDiavel range by introducing two new versions for 2021 : the XDiavel Dark and the XDiavel Black Star. Ducati has a bond of over twenty years with matt black: in 1998, the Monster 600 Dark was the first model with this livery.

Ducati renews the XDiavel range by introducing two new versions for 2021 : the XDiavel Dark and the XDiavel Black Star. Ducati has a bond of over twenty years with matt black: in 1998, the Monster 600 Dark was the first model with this livery.

© Provided by Motorcyclist With a 1,262cc L-twin pushing out 152 hp in US spec, the XDiavel boasts half again the horsepower of similar displacement Harley-Davidsons.

But when you can’t muster a new bike, and you gotta have a year where a new paint scheme is your sick new feature, just say that. We’re talking about a power cruiser that has straight-up MotoGP electronics in it and as much horsepower as a 1990s Integra GSR. Flex on it, Ducati. Tell it to us straight.

© Provided by Motorcyclist The XDiavel Dark follows a proud tradition of blacked-out bikes from Bologna, Italy, beginning with the 1998 Ducati Monster 620 Dark.

“For 2021, we painted this thing black. What do you want from us? We designed a cruiser so fast that it will bend time. It has a computer in it that could land a dumpster on the moon. So, for 2021, we painted it. You’re welcome.”

© Ducati Motorcyclist

2021 Ducati XDiavel Dark Technical Specifications and Price

European MotoGP: Miller tops wet FP1, Quartararo slowest

Jack Miller topped a wet first practice for the MotoGP European Grand Prix at Valencia, as Fabio Quartararo was last and Yamaha stand-in Garrett Gerloff impressed in 16th. © Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images Jack Miller, Pramac Racing KTM's Pol Espargaro – who scored his and KTM's first MotoGP podium in a wet Valencia race in 2018 – led the early part of the session with a 1m47.855s, before Miller took over with a 1m45.191s. The Pramac rider was soon deposed by Ducati stablemate and Le Mans winner in wet conditions Danilo Petrucci, who set a brace of session-best efforts culminating in a 1m43.235s.

Custom & PaintJob Pictures - Diavel / xDiavel . I like the paint on this one. Just ditch the fluro yellow and its pretty nice. Brave, irreverent, unconventional, the new XDiavel brings Ducati values into the cruiser world by combining seemingly antitrust concepts.

Ducati renews its XDiavel range by introducing two new versions for 2021 . The new sports version, Black Star, and XDiavel Dark , the new interpretation of the 'total black' concept in black mate highlight the strengths of XDiavel character.

© Ducati Motorcyclist

2021 Ducati XDiavel Black Star Technical Specifications and Price

2021 Ducati XDiavel Dark and Black Star First Look Preview

New livery for the Italian power cruiser from DucatiAll three machines in the XDiavel family will be Euro 5 compliant in 2021. This was achieved by redesigning the exhaust layout and remapping the 1262 Testastretta V-twin. A nice side effect of these updates is there will be 8 more horsepower available as a result.