1991 Ducati 851 SP3, Frame no. ZDM888S*000969*
1991 Ducati 851 SP3
Frame no. ZDM888S*000969*
• An excellent example of one Ducati's 851/888 Special Editions
• One of only 534 made in 1991
• 'A beast to ride' Ducati superbike at its best
• One owner from new
By the mid-1980s, Ducati's existing air-cooled 2-valve twins were approaching the end of their development, so Bordi started with a clean sheet in creating their water-cooled, 4-valve, fuel-injected successor. Ducati's trademark desmodromic valve actuation system, which closes the valves mechanically rather than relying on springs, was retained, as was the 90-degree angle between the cylinders. Wrapped around this outstanding 'Desmoquattro' engine was a frame, consisting of an intricate trellis of straight tubes, whose design would become a Ducati trademark. Only one paint scheme was available at first: silver-grey frame with bodywork in the Italian national colors of red/white/green, hence these models' 'Tricolore' sobriquet.
Two models were available initially: the 851 Strada and 851 Superbike Kit, the latter being the first of many limited edition 'homologation specials' produced to satisfy World Superbike Championship requirements. The major differences were the Kit's closer-ratio gearbox and 17in Marvic magnesium wheels (16in Marvic/Akront composite on the Strada). When the 851 was revised for 1989, a white frame/red bodywork color scheme was adopted, thus rendering the early Tricolore model collectible overnight.
Ever since the arrival of its liquid-cooled, fuel injected, eight-valve, v-twin superbike in the late 1980s, Ducati has pursued a policy of offering limited-edition, higher-specification variants of the standard model. Cataloguing Ducatis nearly 30 years after their currency is like 'counting carp in a murky pond.' That said the following has to be indicative of what Ducati did. In total for the life of the 851/888 production series from 1988 to its demise in 1993 with the arrival of the 916, Ducati built nineteen distinctive editions – both standard/volume and special/limited - that in some form went down the Borgo Panigale production lines. Not counted are the one-offs, prototypes and factory racers. The full series totals 9,500 plus or minus units. There were seven Special Production series usually referred to by the acronym 'SP' with a suffix. The first, actually the 851SP2 (whose capacity was 888cc) was for model year 1990 (380 made); the 851SP3 (also an 888) for 1991 (534 made); the 'racing' 851SPS (888) also for 1991 (quoted as 'a low number'); the 888SPS for 1992 (101) and the 888SP4 that same year (500); the 1993 888SP5 (500); with the last, also in 1993, the 888SPO – O for Omologato – (290 made.) Given that Ducati built their bikes in batches and batches-within-batches to suit specific markets, it is near impossible to gather totally accurate data. That said many of these 851/888 limited editions are in severe short supply today.
One of these ultra-desirable modern classics was the SP2. Introduced partway through 1990 and based on the 851 Biposto, the SP2 came with the 888cc engine first used in the works racers and also featured a closer-ratio gearbox and superior Öhlins upside-down fork up front and Ohlins shock at rear. Plus Brembo fully floating cast-iron front discs. The SP2 was superseded for 1991 by the SP3, and no less desirable at that – and still the 851 designation remained in spite of the capacity now well known to be 888 - which now boasted upswept Termignoni silencers, stronger crankcases, uprated clutch, remote brake/clutch master cylinders, black wheels, carbon-fiber front mudguard and a 11:1 compression ratio urging a slight power increase to 111hp.
Piloting the 1991 full-factory racing version, American Doug Polen took 17 of 23 World Superbike wins in 1991, en route to the first of his two titles – a simply incredible achievement. 'Fifty examples of the customer 851 Racing – another special edition included above – for 1991, David Tardozzi riding one to victory in the European Superbike Championship.'
The SP3 offered here in street trim carries a plaque on the fork's top triple-clamp certifying that it is number 403 of approximately 534 built. Although stunningly beautiful the bike is not strictly stock for it has had at least a change of livery, small bodywork changes to relocate and install new indicators on stalks, and the fitment of Marchesini 5-spoke forged wheels (meaning both stronger and lighter). All are changes that can be reversed although repainting would, of course, be required. Nonetheless, here's a wonderful opportunity to acquire a limited-edition version of an iconic 'modern' Ducati that should only become increasingly collectible over time.
The bike comes from New Zealand where it formed part of a small, eclectic collection of mostly Italian sport and superbikes all of which were ridden a little and often through the pair of islands' famous countryside.
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1991 Ducati 851 SP3
Frame no. ZDM888S*000969*
• An excellent example of one Ducati's 851/888 Special Editions
• One of only 534 made in 1991
• 'A beast to ride' Ducati superbike at its best
• One owner from new
By the mid-1980s, Ducati's existing air-cooled 2-valve twins were approaching the end of their development, so Bordi started with a clean sheet in creating their water-cooled, 4-valve, fuel-injected successor. Ducati's trademark desmodromic valve actuation system, which closes the valves mechanically rather than relying on springs, was retained, as was the 90-degree angle between the cylinders. Wrapped around this outstanding 'Desmoquattro' engine was a frame, consisting of an intricate trellis of straight tubes, whose design would become a Ducati trademark. Only one paint scheme was available at first: silver-grey frame with bodywork in the Italian national colors of red/white/green, hence these models' 'Tricolore' sobriquet.
Two models were available initially: the 851 Strada and 851 Superbike Kit, the latter being the first of many limited edition 'homologation specials' produced to satisfy World Superbike Championship requirements. The major differences were the Kit's closer-ratio gearbox and 17in Marvic magnesium wheels (16in Marvic/Akront composite on the Strada). When the 851 was revised for 1989, a white frame/red bodywork color scheme was adopted, thus rendering the early Tricolore model collectible overnight.
Ever since the arrival of its liquid-cooled, fuel injected, eight-valve, v-twin superbike in the late 1980s, Ducati has pursued a policy of offering limited-edition, higher-specification variants of the standard model. Cataloguing Ducatis nearly 30 years after their currency is like 'counting carp in a murky pond.' That said the following has to be indicative of what Ducati did. In total for the life of the 851/888 production series from 1988 to its demise in 1993 with the arrival of the 916, Ducati built nineteen distinctive editions – both standard/volume and special/limited - that in some form went down the Borgo Panigale production lines. Not counted are the one-offs, prototypes and factory racers. The full series totals 9,500 plus or minus units. There were seven Special Production series usually referred to by the acronym 'SP' with a suffix. The first, actually the 851SP2 (whose capacity was 888cc) was for model year 1990 (380 made); the 851SP3 (also an 888) for 1991 (534 made); the 'racing' 851SPS (888) also for 1991 (quoted as 'a low number'); the 888SPS for 1992 (101) and the 888SP4 that same year (500); the 1993 888SP5 (500); with the last, also in 1993, the 888SPO – O for Omologato – (290 made.) Given that Ducati built their bikes in batches and batches-within-batches to suit specific markets, it is near impossible to gather totally accurate data. That said many of these 851/888 limited editions are in severe short supply today.
One of these ultra-desirable modern classics was the SP2. Introduced partway through 1990 and based on the 851 Biposto, the SP2 came with the 888cc engine first used in the works racers and also featured a closer-ratio gearbox and superior Öhlins upside-down fork up front and Ohlins shock at rear. Plus Brembo fully floating cast-iron front discs. The SP2 was superseded for 1991 by the SP3, and no less desirable at that – and still the 851 designation remained in spite of the capacity now well known to be 888 - which now boasted upswept Termignoni silencers, stronger crankcases, uprated clutch, remote brake/clutch master cylinders, black wheels, carbon-fiber front mudguard and a 11:1 compression ratio urging a slight power increase to 111hp.
Piloting the 1991 full-factory racing version, American Doug Polen took 17 of 23 World Superbike wins in 1991, en route to the first of his two titles – a simply incredible achievement. 'Fifty examples of the customer 851 Racing – another special edition included above – for 1991, David Tardozzi riding one to victory in the European Superbike Championship.'
The SP3 offered here in street trim carries a plaque on the fork's top triple-clamp certifying that it is number 403 of approximately 534 built. Although stunningly beautiful the bike is not strictly stock for it has had at least a change of livery, small bodywork changes to relocate and install new indicators on stalks, and the fitment of Marchesini 5-spoke forged wheels (meaning both stronger and lighter). All are changes that can be reversed although repainting would, of course, be required. Nonetheless, here's a wonderful opportunity to acquire a limited-edition version of an iconic 'modern' Ducati that should only become increasingly collectible over time.
The bike comes from New Zealand where it formed part of a small, eclectic collection of mostly Italian sport and superbikes all of which were ridden a little and often through the pair of islands' famous countryside.
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