Ducati 851 Gallery

The first production Ducati Desmoquattro was the 851 of 1988, with four-valve desmodromic cylinder heads, liquid cooling and Weber Marelli electronic fuel injection. Only a small number of Tri-Colore 851's were produced during 1988, with approx. 54 designated for the US. The 851 Superbike Kit was the homologation model for World Superbike Racing and approx 20 came to the US. The tubular steel frame was derived from the F1 with an aluminum swing arm and a rising rate linkage rear suspension. The wheels on the 851 Superbike Kit are 17 inch racing magnesium. These bikes came with an electric start, headlight and taillight. The brakes are full floating Brembo. This bike was originally purchased and raced by Trevor Dunne.

Produced for the 1989 Italian Sport Production series that pitted production 750cc fours against twins of up to l,000cc, the first 851 Sport Production was virtually indistinguishable from the Strada. These machines were still 851cc, with 851 Superbike Kit updates, but a more serious homologation model appeared for 1990: the 851 SP2.

Although still titled an 851, the 851 SP2 displaced 888cc. There was a return to two injectors per cylinder, and the SP retained the H-section Pankl con-rods and 300-watt alternator. The transmission was the closer-ratio unit of the earlier 851 Superbike Kit, as were the camshafts. The valve sizes were 33 and 29mm, and the exhaust a 45mm Termignoni. Chassis improvements included an upside-down Ohlins front fork, Ohlins shock absorber, and fully floating Brembo cast-iron front disc brakes. The Ohlins fork was a high-quality unit, but it suffered from premature fork seal failure. There was an aluminum rear subframe. Although it was an expensive limited production model, the SP2 provided unparalleled handling and performance in 1990.