Is this a good bike ? New photos added.

[DoubleEagle]

It is a 1989 851 w, just shy of 35,000 miles in immaculate condition.

Was it a fairly trouble free model or was it from back in the day when Ducatis really needed lots of tender loving care ?

What should I have to pay for this bike ?

Is there anything about this bike that makes it " Special ? "





Dolph      

[kopfjäger]

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/1991-Ducati-851-Superbike-96984737

[El Matador]

It was ducati's first *true* superbike and their first foray into 4valves.

It's considered the granddaddy of everything on the road that bleeds red and does 160+.

4k service intervals and only starts when it wants. Sometimes, it will leave you stranded for no reason at all. You can't even think about tipping it over bc every single part on that bike is made out of pure unobtanium. A measly lowside will cost you a few months and several thousand dollars to find the parts.

Some can fetch up to 30k depending on condition and how rare they are. An 888SPS will not be less than 20k, no matter what condition it's in. Every now and then a set of special spaghetti headers will pop up and fetch no less than 3k.

This bike is my dream bike. I would do anything for it. I'm insane.  

[DoubleEagle]

It was ducati's first *true* superbike and their first foray into 4valves.

It's considered the granddaddy of everything on the road that bleeds red and does 160+.

4k service intervals and only starts when it wants. Sometimes, it will leave you stranded for no reason at all. You can't even think about tipping it over bc every single part on that bike is made out of pure unobtanium. A measly lowside will cost you a few months and several thousand dollars to find the parts.

Some can fetch up to 30k depending on condition and how rare they are. An 888SPS will not be less than 20k, no matter what condition it's in. Every now and then a set of special spaghetti headers will pop up and fetch no less than 3k.

This bike is my dream bike. I would do anything for it. I'm insane.  

Jesus,
 If what you say is true , it sounds like a........ woman !

Dolph     

Such ecstasy and such heartache.

[El Matador]

Jesus,
 If what you say is true , it sounds like a........ woman !

Dolph     

Such ecstasy and such heartache.

This bike is the closest thing to a mechanical woman that has ever been made. Honestly, if I had the funds I would own one already. If only for collection purposes. I understand that all bikes deserve to be ridden, but this is one of the few that I would put up in a pedestal in my living room and call it a day. A bunch were unloaded during the recession, at bargain prices. Someone with patience can make a lot of money if he were to hold on to one of these babies for a while.

[DoubleEagle]

This bike is the closest thing to a mechanical woman that has ever been made. Honestly, if I had the funds I would own one already. If only for collection purposes. I understand that all bikes deserve to be ridden, but this is one of the few that I would put up in a pedestal in my living room and call it a day. A bunch were unloaded during the recession, at bargain prices. Someone with patience can make a lot of money if he were to hold on to one of these babies for a while.

So I should buy one just for investment purposes you're saying.

Dolph

[El Matador]

So I should buy one just for investment purposes your saying.

Dolph

You should buy one to ride it. Unless the bike is destroyed, its value is only gonna go up from here. I guess you could buy it for purely investment purposes, but then I'd advise you to look for some of the rarer models.

[Popeye the Sailor]

If you buy it....


.....don't go racing up the road on it.

[koko64]

It is a 1989 851 w, just shy of 35,000 miles in immaculate condition.

Was it a fairly trouble free model or was it from back in the day when Ducatis really needed lots of tender loving care ?

What should I have to pay for this bike ?

Is there anything about this bike that makes it " Special ? "





Dolph     

If it's an 89 model then they are later forks, front guard and possibly brakes than what was stock to an '89 model. It could be a genuine upgrade (so the vendor should have the original Marzocchi front end, guard and black Brembos), if not then maybe it's had a front end smash.
The '89 851 was a monoposto and had pankl rods standard. Probably one of the most sought after of the 851s that wasn't an SP version.

EDIT

It's not an 89 model unless its had a complete makeover. It looks like the last 851 that had the 888 bodywork, forks, brakes, tank, guard, rear sets/footpegs, (better heads!), before they enlarged the motor. It's got a monoposto tail piece like the SPs. It could be a monoposto 1991/2 model. Hmmm. Last of the 851s or a 1989 with a makeover?

EDIT #2

The tank could be an original 851 as could the front fairing panels but it's not clear to me from the angle of the photo. The sea of beautiful red is blending in and I can't make out whether it has the rounder early tank and panels or the more angular later ones.The rear bodywork is definitely from the last of the 851s and the 888s, as are the forks, brakes, rear sets and front guard. If it's an 89 model it may have had a smash and the guy couldn't get original parts. Mind you the later parts are functionally better.

[koko64]

I'm gonna check my Desmoquattro Superbike book by Ian Falloon.

[koko64]

Yep, later 851/888 tank. Cant tell with the front fairing panels and not sure if they were different enough if at all besides paint which changed. The pre '92 models had a black section at the bottom rear of the body panel.

Brad Black has owned both an 851 and 888. You might want to check with him.

[DoubleEagle]

Yep, later 851/888 tank. Cant tell with the front fairing panels and not sure if they were different enough if at all besides paint which changed. The pre '92 models had a black section at the bottom rear of the body panel.

Brad Black has owned both an 851 and 888. You might want to check with him.

Where is Brad Black ?

Dolph       

[DoubleEagle]

The bike is suppose to have 100 hp .

Does that sound right ?

Dolph     

[kopfjäger]

93 claimed.

[DoubleEagle]

93 claimed.

Thanks bro.

Dolph