The 2021 Ducati XDiavel Dark Is New Paint, Forged Wheels, And Seat Cover

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.”