Investing in the Ducati 851 and 888 SP series is clearly timely and a shrewd move, as finding investment grade pieces has now become very hard indeed. In 1987 Ducati launched the 851 Superbike and with it the first of the SP series. The first edition 851 SP produced 751 SP models, which makes it a rare machine to begin with. The SP2 only produced 485 pieces and the 888cc 851 SP3 only produced 500 units. The 888 badged SP4 saw 500 units made and the SP5 saw 500 units and there were a few special models produced during separate years such as Luchinelli Replicas and SPOs. These were rare motorcycles when they were new and time has not been kind on the numbers of investment grade pieces available.
These SP models were made in small numbers to start with, but very few investment grade pieces are available now, due to the iconic status of the 916. From 1988 to 1992 these Ducatis won the World Superbike series three times out of five. What is remarkable about this is that Ducati were owned by Cagiva, a bijou family run Italian motorcycle manufacturer. This little motorcycle manufacturer took on the might of all four of the giant Japanese manufacturers and won the World Superbike series from under their noses. Cagiva, at this time, was also competing in the 500cc Grand Prix series and even poached Randy Mamola to ride their uncontrollable four cylinder 500cc two stroke. It cannot be underestimated what a drain this would have been on Cagiva’s slender resources.
To win the World Superbike series, Ducati had to produce a very special machine to beat the all-conquering RC30. The 851 grew into the 888 and this later grew into the 916 and then the 996 series. Without the 851 and 888 there could not have been the iconic and legendary 916 and 996 series that eclipsed these magnificent motorcycles.
The 916 certainly did eclipse these 851 and 888s with its insane styling that made these machines look dull and boring. Every owner of an 851 or 888 lost interest in their machines and hankered after the feminine curves and under seat exhausts of the already classic 916. 851 and 888s were discarded and glowered at to be forgotten for their underestimated historic role in motorcycle development. The SP series of these machines were discarded and the World Superbike wins were in the past and insignificant compared to the Carl Fogarty years. There was just no interest in these motorcycles for the next twenty to twenty five years. They were bought up as cheap superbikes that provided budget priced laughs and could be ridden to destruction. This series of motorcycles were forgotten about and are now only rearing their heads as collectible Ducatis, and very important ones at that too.
In truth the styling of the 851 and 888 was functional and almost brutalist. They have a very small frontal area, they’re super slim and they were only built to go fast. The 916 and 996 has certainly overshadowed this series of motorcycles, but the glory days are of the 851 and 888 are still no less significant. This series of motorcycles made Ducati a giant slayer and laid the ground for the iconic, god-like days of the Foggy years. The success of the 916 and 996 meant that this series of machines, which was produced in very small numbers to start with, became neglected. The swiftness of the change over from 888 to 916 and the desire the new 916 elicited in motorcycle enthusiasts created a rapid demise for these important motorcycles. The rapid decline in popularity of this series of machines has made investment grade examples seriously rare and very difficult to find. Collectors are waking up to the value that can be had from these machines next to their 916 and 996 motorcycles, but are struggling to find the right piece.
Although prices have more than doubled in the last four years, these Ducatis will rank alongside other evasive motorcycles from the Ducati factory. Now is the time to acquire one of these, as prices are sure to keep on increasing with vigour. People are starting to restore these motorcycles and are struggling to find anything to complete their motorcycles. They are stunned at the prices for parts, if they ever find them, and the cost of restoration is far higher than prices for investment grade examples at present. This is a clear indicator that prices will rise fiercely and that the desire is there from collectors, so these machines will increase in value significantly in the coming years. Even the 851 Strada is becoming quite desirable https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/classic-bikesocial/buying-advice/buyers-guide-ducati-851-advice. Already investors and collectors are hunting down 888 SPS and 851 SP3s, and more, and they are not worried about price. They are concerned with originality and authenticity. It’s either right or it’s not right.
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