A mere re-skinning of an existing streetbike model is usually met with both raised eyebrows and eye rolls. But Italian design is more than skin deep. And even when it isn’t, it’s still…well, Italian.
Limited to just 500 examples, Ducati’s XDiavel Nera is a made-in-Italy design collaboration between Poltrona Frau and the House of Ducati. Poltrona Frau’s Interiors in Motion division, which works with upholstery, seating, and other leather-wrapped details, has done design work on the insides of McLarens, Porsches, and Lamborghinis. Now it lends its sensibilities to the black-on-black livery and seat design of Ducati’s newest XDiavel limited offering.
The Nera’s reworked saddle is slightly wider and comes with an optional backrest. It’s also made of Pelle Frau, a proprietary handcrafted leather. Five different saddle colors are available: Siam Red, Steel Blue, Cemento, India, and Selva. Each color saddle is accented by “X” motifs engraved throughout via laser. Buyers also get an exclusive key ring and documentation, both made of Pelle Frau leather in the color of their choice. An exclusive helmet is also available.
As a machine, the XDiavel itself is much the same beastly Bolognan cruiser you’ve known since 2011. Mechanically it’s identical to the XDiavel S and XDiavel Dark. Pricing in the US will start at $29,795 and go up from there. But lest you think the XDiavel Nera is just a conspicuous design exercise intended to show off the buyer’s disposable income, consider this new seat.
Despite the same size, the passenger seat padding seems more generous. And that backrest? Ducati and Poltrona Frau were clearly thinking of that other very Italian exercise: Bringing your campagna, or compagno, along for the ride.
2022 Ducati XDiavel Nera Technical Specifications and Price
PRICE | $29,795 |
ENGINE | 1,262cc, liquid-cooled 90-degree twin-cylinder w/ desmodromic variable timing; 4 valves/cyl. |
BORE x STROKE | 106.0 x 71.5mm |
COMPRESSION RATIO | 13.0:1 |
FUEL DELIVERY | Fuel injection w/ 56mm elliptical throttle bodies; ride-by-wire |
CLUTCH | Wet, multiplate, slipper; hydraulic control |
TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE | 6-speed/belt |
MEASURED HORSEPOWER | 152 hp @ 9,500 rpm |
MEASURED TORQUE | 92.9 lb.-ft. @ 5,000 rpm |
FRAME | Tubular steel trellis |
FRONT SUSPENSION | Adjustable 50mm USD fork w/ DLC treatment; 4.7 in. travel |
REAR SUSPENSION | Monoshock, spring preload and rebound adjustable; 4.3 in. travel |
FRONT BRAKE | Brembo 4-piston M50 calipers, dual 320mm semi-floating discs w/ ABS |
REAR BRAKE | Brembo 2-piston floating caliper, 265mm disc w/ ABS |
WHEELS, FRONT/REAR | Cast alloy; 17 x 3.5 in. / 17 x 8.0 in. |
TIRES, FRONT/REAR | Pirelli Diablo Rosso III; 120/70ZR-17 / 240/45ZR-17 |
RAKE/TRAIL | 30.0°/5.1 in. |
WHEELBASE | 63.6 in. |
SEAT HEIGHT | 29.7 in. |
FUEL CAPACITY | 4.8 gal. |
CLAIMED WET WEIGHT | 545 lb. |
WARRANTY | 24 months, unlimited mileage |
AVAILABLE | TBD |
CONTACT | ducati.com |
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com