Evening chaps and chapesses, Brief intro as to why the above title....let me fetch my coffee... 3 weeks ago, I realised I needed another bike that I honestly don't "need". In the same way one doesn't "need" more than one pair of shoes. But we all do. I found a lovely 749R at a well known dealer, Japanese import at 15k miles, but no history of owners or servicing. Part of the deal was a major service inc valves to be done at a trusted local (to them) indy specialist, BSD. We shook on it, I paid the full amount, but a few days later I think they realised what they'd agreed to, insomuch that valve gap adjustments on the R means the heads have to come off; I only found this out myself after speaking with the helpful guys Moto Rapido (inc Bridewells mechanic, Paul). The dealer denied that they'd agreed to this and said they would be doing the servicing in-house. By a non Ducati specialist, as they're not a Ducati dealer, but "it's ok, they've been on a training course for Ducatis" (!!!). All of a sudden I'm thinking this could get VERY expensive; worst case for a major service inc all valves needing adjustment, a few bob short of an additional £3k, 33% the cost of the bike. And that's actually entirely possible depending on how the bike had been ridden, cold/prolonged high revs.....I pulled out of the deal and they refunded me. You can't believe how pi55ed off I was, and now every time I see the YouTube vloggers thanking said company for the loan of bikes, I fair spit at the screen. However...my Plan B was/is an 848 Evo Corse SE. A fair few around to choose from, and still it's nagging me that this would be the sensible choice. Longer service intervals, younger bike, more towards Panigale handling than my 748R and apparently the Testa Evo engine in that capacity is an absolute peach. Not ridden one yet though. So why the hell am I posting in the 851/888 forum? Well, in my YT feed last Friday was a video from Chris at Lusso Veloce on the 7k mile 900 Superlight he had. And. I. Thoroughly. Fell. In. Love. Unfortunately I've missed out on it; a deal has already been done and it's expected to leave the showroom soon. Gutted again, for the second time. I didn't move quick enough. What it has done, however, is wake me up to the pre 916 era bikes. A mate of mine used to own an 888 many years ago (20?), and I always liked it, mostly because it was loud as hell with the Farracci cans....but until now I've never hankered for one. Maybe it's my approaching of the 50th year that's making me see/think differently? So I'm now scrambling to learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible so I don't go and do something stupid. I've found an 851, and am speaking with the dealer about it at the moment with a holding deposit until I can see it on Tuesday....it's a long way from where I live. It's a '92 biposto with single seat cover, nothing super desirable like an SP, but it has white number boards back and front. Did they do the stradas with white boards or is this the (only) previous owners tinkering? Personally I think it looks cracking...talking of which, in the additional photos the dealer has sent me, there's a crack on the lower rear seat bodywork where the single seat cover meets the lower section. It doesn't show in the walk around video but it's a pity, as other than that it looks very nice. I've got photos of the service history, 7 services but nothing since 2002, since which it's done 300 miles. Clearly it needs a thorough going over, but with 20yrs having gone by, recommissioning could be extensive (Eyewatering? Am I going to run into parts availability to even do this?) I'm not really sure what I'm asking really, spit-balling and canvassing opinions I guess. Is an 851 Strada going to get me into a world of pain in terms of parts availability? (I've seen the links to Stein-Dinse). How is it likely to ride compared to my 748R? "Classic" in a bad way? I'm guessing not. Should I just keep on the 848 mission, save over £1k on the purchase, it's serviced and not worry about having to recommission it? (appreciate that's a hard one for anyone to advise on, without me blabbering on even more about how I'm likely to use it, what I'm look for in terms of experience, etc). The other consideration is buying something that will at least hold it's value, hence why not just dropping a PCP on a Panigale V2; it will get ridden on sunny weekends, but not going to be piling the miles on. Welcome all thoughts. Just hoping somebody now doesn't go and swipe this one from under me. Cheers Spencer
Here's the crack I was on about, not sure how repairable that it without a full panel respray? I also notice that the fuel filler is fairly corroded. Can these be restored and re-anodized to the the correct shade of gold and silver for the surround? Not entirely sure what silencers these are either (and whether any PC mapping was done to address mixture)...
My 851 Strada didn’t have White number boards, it was all Red with just the Lettering to break it up. White frame White wheels. From memory that’s just the standard cans but I’m trying to recall 30 years ago. There has been a little thread on someone restoring his filler cap but can’t recall which model it was nor poster. I’ve had one but wouldn’t buy another unless it came to me cheap, I sold mine in 1996 for £5500. That’s about all one would be worth now to me.
Thanks 'Scud. Yep this one has white frame but black wheels (and number boards of course). I'll do some searching for that filler cap resto, thanks. S
I think you may have "money burning a hole in your pocket" syndrome. Its usually curable; typically the patient recovers after finding they own a lot of things they don't really want! Warning! Being cured of this on one occasion will not prevent a reoccurrence. Ask me how I know...
Firstly i am familiar with the dealer you mention at the start of your thread, i'm led to believe their after sales service leaves a lot to be desired, ahem....secondly - as advised above it looks like you have some cash burning a hole in your pocket, before you buy anything else i would seriously advise doing a shed load of research into the model you fancy and stick to that model ,if nothing comes up immediately or if you miss out on the one you want ,hang in there and wait until another turns up, it will.
Is the 851 at the SuperbikeFactory Bradford? I agree it is a looker. Buy with the heart, not with the head. Passoine!
It won't be anything like your 748R. I had an 888, took it to the track and bumped into a mate on his spanking new 916. He offered me a go on it. You could not imagine a bigger difference. The 916 felt tiny. It leapt off the line and turned like it was falling over. The brakes were sublime. A month later the 888 had been chopped for a new 748 SP. The SP eventually went and now I have an R and on Sunday we are at Jerez.
Thanks chaps….I have to say, I’m typing this actually very embarrassed; the last thing I intended or wanted was to come across was being any kind of “Flash Harry” that’s looking to blow a load of excess cash, and sorry if it did come across as such. It wouldn’t be the first time (or wrong) for someone to say that I was obsessive when it comes to things I enjoy - just won’t let it go, and actually really enjoy the research into something as much as the end result. Maybe it’s frustration at never having gone to university and having to research and write a dissertation…who knows. I guess some of the reason I’m looking for another toy is that me and my salesman “buddy” have been absolutely through the wringer with a particular client for almost 5 months….it’s been truly horrible, stressful and frustrating. Thankfully we did manage to still make our number for the half year, so we still have jobs (!!), but I suppose this is me thinking “screw it”, we’ve worked bloody hard and gone through certainly the most stressful project I’ve encountered in 22yrs of doing this gig, in combination with some very challenging family issues of late (which have now thankfully gone away or at least quietened down for the time being). Am I sure this is the best use of money? NOPE! There’s other things going on that would benefit me more than having another bike that does a very similar thing to one I already have. Sorry, probably way over-sharing, but from the comments it sounds like I may not be the first person to fall down this wormhole, haha.
Yep, that’s the one Thunderbolt….and yes, to my eyes it’s quite stunning. Re-watching Jonny Smith/Shakey’s recent bike collection video this evening with my Brother hasn’t helped, with that lovely selection of 851’s and 888’s.
Interesting, thanks Paul. I’m not a trackday guy at all, never ridden one; may try one in the next year or so (a mate is bending my ear…constantly). I wouldn’t say I’m even a fast road rider which is why I have no ambition for the big capacity Duc’s. Is the 888 (and by extension the 851) a fun road bike to ride, or just lethargic, unwilling and “jus a bit crap” for Sunday rides out? (It kind of comes across like that?) In some ways, the stark difference is kind of good, means there’s variety in the bikes, which is why I was so keen on the aircooled Superlight 900.
My '89 851.. it isn't the fastest, most powerful bike, but if you just want to ride at your own pace it's good...
My 888 was a road bike and really enjoyable for that purpose. It was also remarkably good on track, but then that is what you expect from a Ducati I think. The 748/916 was just the next stage of the Ducati performance development. You now have me looking at 888s again..... oh no, there must be a cure for that itch
No need for embarrassment mate...its your hard earned and you do what you want with it, like others above i too have 3 bikes, but i have in the past bought in the spur of the moment and regretted that i hadn't looked too deeply into the foibles and practicalities of things shall we say!...851/888's are nice machines, although as stated somewhere above if you're looking at the older Ducati's then compared with the 851 the 916 is IMHO light years ahead...but i am biased
Are you handy with the spanners? Or wanting/willing to have a crack? I used to be all about the trackdays and racing but as time has gone on I've found I'm actually just as happy pottering in the shed, IOM or 90's/00's WSB/GP in the VCR (!)or DVD player, a bevvy or two and I'm as happy as a pig in poo. My dream bike is a D16RR....but realistically it would be a mixed blessing 'cos what could I do to it? I can only look at it for so long (ok, a very very long time, lol), and then what? Half my joy, closing the shed door, shutting out the zombie apocalypse, and losing myself for a few hours tinkering away would be gone. An 851 is perfect for a tinkerer. But an 851 as a Sunday bike would be fine. It's 90hp and heavy, but it still sounds mint, is great if you have duck's disease (low seat height) and pulls as many admirers as much of the newer stuff....and no-one expects anything of you like they do if you rock up on the latest kwikasfuki. The best thing about a Strada? It is not as collectable or expensive as an SP, so you can feel free to make it yours. Throw a light flywheel at it is a cheap and simple way to take years off it, giving a much more enthusiastic power plant. An ST4 exhaust (45mm vs 851 40mm) is another super cheap way to add a few more neddies. Lighter wheels (later Monster are cheap) give more modern handling, The 92 has USD Showa forks? So can easily be as good as anything out there today. If you're on a tight budget GSXR cartridges are a cheap upgrade. Alloy subframes aren't crazy money, and along with wheels and flywheel would drop 10kg's, most of it rotating mass = win-win. She'd be near enough to 100rwhp, 10kg lighter, and much more enthusiastic in every regard. Find a bit more cash under the couch cushion, throw a 916/996 engine in there for some serious stomp in the real world. It's not like you'd lose any money doing it and you'd have something pretty spesh for a lot less than SP money. Brad Black has done all the hard work for you sorting what works, what doesn't and what is good value: https://www.bikeboy.org/888st4ex.html (check out the rest of his reports) Admittedly there's not much Strada left in my ol' banger but we're in no fear of an 848 on track:
Prices for the 851/88 series bikes have become crazy. Doesn't seem so long ago that a 92 851 Strada could be had for 3k5. Hell, I passed up the chance to buy an SP3 for 6k5 once and an SP4, albeit tracked, for about the same. At the money they're asking, with their non-existent bike description on Autotrader, I'd want immaculate standard paintwork and a lifetime's supply of Autoglym products.
