888 - how good?
 

this is prompted by looking at Gordy's 888strada SP5 lookalike. I have had 900SSie and 748 before, and was wondering was-what is life like with an 888 then? I was thinking of replacing my stolen 748 with another (LeeB's 748R is on my list), but then thought...HEY! an 888 SP5 (even a lookalike) would be good.
How about some feedback...talking up - thanks.

I will let you know next weekend.
I just got my 888 a few weeks ago and I have still to ride it . I paid a lot for it and it needs work, I could have easily got a 996 for the same money but for me it is the best looking ducati.

They are less common than the 916/996/748 and they hold their value better,so long term it may be a cheaper option.

Buy a newer version if you want to blend in, or buy a classic and stand out.

It is a difficult decision but I am more than happy with my SP:P

[Edited on 19-2-2005 by simon foster]

Good topic...I rode an 851 when they first came out and remember not being overly impressed.

Is an 888 (hopefully) much better???

Just vaguely interested u understand ;)

Frank

Life without a 888 is like life without beer:o you can do it,but you wouldn`t want to:saint:

There isn`t the initial low down punch like the 2v,but you`re still pulling hard at double the speed limit:D
I`ve had most of the rubberband Dukes and the 888 gets the most heads turning and admiration,just ask Nattyboy when he displayed his;)

I'll second that. I've ridden Sparkin's 888 and it's suberb.

I'd have a 888 like a shot except that I haven't got the space to keep it inside and I'm not the worlds best polisher either so my bikes tend to live on the shabby side of life. I couldn't do that to a classic bike, it would deserve a better owner than me.

Oh...I haven't got the money either

what about turning - any faster/slower to steer than a 748/996? and brakes - any difference or not that you would know?

It`s all in the set up;) very stable on fast sweepers,std suspension typically Duc hard,bouncy on rough roads,rear ride height is adjustable to speed things up if you wish,as for brakes,mine has billet and cast iron,so Whooooooooa hay:bouncy:

I have a 851 SP3 and a 916 Bip - the SP3 feels much livelier than the 916, turns in quicker, and the cast iron discs are very effective, although some say a radial master cylinder is worthwhile. the SP3 and SP4 are mechanically virtually identical, except the SP4 lost the ally fuel tank and a few other light bits, so is a bit heavier. Appearance is just down to taste - they both stand out from the 9xx/748 bikes.

Recommended!

Andrew

Misterpink..

The SP is much quicker steering than the Strada, due to its steeper head angle. It's 40lb lighter too - and this is very noticeable in all situations. It's very chuckable for a Ducati. It feels an altogether smaller/more agile bike to ride. However, don't expect to be soothed by its suave road manners - because its in your face all of the time. It really is a bit of a beast!

So, if you value civility over the above, then the Strada's the one to go for. A lower bottom gear means moving off is much easier, and a higher 6th gear gives more relaxed cruising. Handling is excellent, if fairly 'lazy'. Brakes on my own bike are superb, despite them being 'bog standard'. (And how nice to be able to allow its engine to warm whilst donning helmet and gloves. SP won't do this - it has no cold start lever!)

Misterpink,you can see from these replies that 851/888 owners are extremly passionate about their bikes:) Like the advert says
"come on,dive in!"

My SP5 certainly holds it's own against more modern stuff.Ride outs with Yella and Ray with 998's and 998R's i didn't get stuffed.Compared to my previous 853,the SP5 would eat it.Handling is alot more stable and secure and turn in can be speeded up with the ride height adjustment.I LOVE IT and will NEVER sell it.Bloody perfect(well with the slipper,4 pad calipers and radial master cylinders!):D

IMHO the 888 is probably the best all round Ducati made in the last 15 years. I am sure it will become one of the most desirable Ducs to have in the future. The simplest way to justify this is to get a group of 900SS riders and 916 riders together, and ask them what they love and hate about their bikes. Through evolution the 888 sits in between, and shares a lot of the good stuff, and a few of the bad. If the 916 shape wasn't so sexy, I am sure Ducati would have made 888's for a couple more years. But thankfully for 888 riders they didn't and so the value has remained comparitively high. In fact in Australia you can buy a 916 for less coin. At the risk of upsetting people in here, whilst the Sp bikes are very desirable, and most strada riders do their best to emulate them, the gear ratios and state of tune are more suited to spirited riding then a more comonly ridden bike. That said the better suspension is worth the extra money.

Sounds like i should give Gordy a call and look at his - thanks for all the comments.

Search time:

http://www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=3019

http://www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=4024

http://arch.home.texas.net/sp4/pictures.html

http://www.bulldogmtnbikes.com/ducati_888.htm

good fun hunting these down :)

Nice links Frank,It`s not hard to see why these bikes are held in such high regard looking at those pictures:) fantastic:roll:
Can`t wait to get mine back:smug: Sparkin`s got an itch and it needs scratching:devil:

You wont regret it ! Like Sparkin I have owned a brace of modern dukes..but ive just fell in love with the 888.

I was fortunate enough to buy an S4R last summer to keep it company, but in terms of overall ownership experience it just doesnt come close to my 888.

It has pedigree, looks stunning, was made in relativley small numbers and just turns heads like you wouldnt believe (and sounds incredible as all my fellow 888 owners will no doubt testify!!)...not just exhuast note but an induction growl like you wouldnt believe !!

It wont steer as quick as a 9** but this can be aided by increasing the rear ride height/selecting decent tyres (888's are very sensitive to both tyre pressure and choice).

Only disappointment when I got mine was the front lever coming back to the bar after hard use, but again this can be easily rectified by fitting a larger bore MC from a 9** or (even better!) a radial master cylinder like mine.

As I say, I knew gordys bikes previous owner and in terms of maintenance, it was spoilt rotten !

(I can also put you in touch with Kev the bikes previous owner if youd like a second opinion).

Best of luck and look forward to sharing tales of 888 ownership in our 'select' forum :lol:

Cheers
Nat