The Ducati 888 is a Ducati motorcycle manufactured between 1991 and 1994 as an upgrade of the Ducati 851. In 1991 Ducati increased the capacity of the 851 to 888 cc to create it. Both engines used the Desmoquattro valvetrain, with four valves per cylinder actuated desmodromically, cams opening and closing the valves.
Ducati 888 at a glance
| Maker | Ducati, Borgo Panigale |
|---|---|
| Production | 1991–1994 |
| Predecessor | Ducati 851 |
| Engine | 888 cc Desmoquattro, 90° V-twin, four desmodromic valves |
| Models | Strada, SP3, SP4, SP5, SPS, SPO |
| 1991 production | 1,850 units |
| 1992 production | 2,003 units |
| 1993 production | 2,070 units |
| 1994 production | 1,671 units |
| Total built | 7,594 units |
| Successor | Ducati 916 |
Facts in this article come from one source, the English Wikipedia page on the Ducati 888.
History of the Ducati 888
From 851 to 888
The 851 had introduced liquid cooling, computerised fuel injection and four-valve heads to Ducati’s two-cylinder engines. The 888 kept that architecture and added capacity. The desmodromic system, with cams both opening and closing the valves, reduces the frictional penalty of conventional valve springs.
Production by year
The 1991 models were 1,200 851 Stradas, 534 SP3 and 16 SPS, for a total of 1,850 units. In 1992 there were 1,402 851 Stradas, 500 SP4 and 101 SPS, 2,003 in all. The 1993 models were 1,280 888 Stradas, 500 SP5 and 290 SPO for the American market, 2,070 units. In 1994 came 1,571 888 Stradas and 100 SPO, 1,671 units. The grand total across the four years was 7,594.
The SPO for America
The SPO, Sport Production Omologato, was developed for the North American market because the new SP5 could not be made road legal there. In practice its specifications were closer to the road-oriented European Strada than to the SP5.
Racing and the road
Riding the 888, Doug Polen won the 1991 and 1992 World Superbike Championships. After losing to Kawasaki in 1993, Ducati stopped building the 888 and released the 916 with a larger engine. A 1993 Cycle World road test of the 888 SPO measured a quarter mile in 11.25 seconds at 199 km/h, 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds, a top speed of 245 km/h and a wet weight of 225 kg, with 70 kW at the rear wheel.
Design and features
- Desmoquattro engine: liquid cooling, fuel injection and four desmodromic valves per cylinder.
- Racing record: two World Superbike titles with Doug Polen, in 1991 and 1992.
- SPO homologation: a version created so that the 888 could be sold in North America.
- Race version: the 1992 SBK racer had a dry weight of 142 kg and 134 PS at 12,000 rpm, with a top speed above 290 km/h.
Ducati 888 versions
- Strada: the road model, the bulk of production in every year.
- SP3, SP4, SP5: the successive racing-homologation versions of 1991, 1992 and 1993.
- SPS: a further specification listed alongside the SP models in 1991 and 1992.
- SPO: the Sport Production Omologato for the American market, 1993 and 1994.
The 888 followed the Ducati 851 and was replaced by the Ducati 916. Its racing line continued through the 996 and 998. More Ducatis are in the Ducati collection.
Sources
- Ducati 888, English Wikipedia: production figures, versions, racing, road test
