Is it just me, or...
 

You know when you're in the process of choosing a new car and poring over catalogues? Suddenly there seem to be loads of cars of the type you're considering, they seem to be everywhere when you never noticed them before!

I guess it's the same with bikes (although I don't get to buy too many). Ever since I started looking at T8's - and up until I finally bought one - there seems to be a big resurgence of interest in 'em on this board, both in the activity on this forum and general comments from people who're either looking at buying, wishing they could buy etc...There was someone selling a 996 on here yesterday so that they could buy an 888

Is it just me suffering from seeing T8's everywhere just because I'm buying one (comes on Thursday :D) or are there genuinely a lot more people interested in them?

Jools,

I think you are already within a community of interest here. You're bound to see a lot more 888 noise around here.

In general, I think there is a reasonalble, steady state interest in 8xx bikes. Owners come and go, but I am not sure if 8xx owners keep their bikes longer than 9xx or classics? That said, I am planning 888 mods/stuff for this winter and next too.

I'm sure others will be along to comment in due course.

Rgds, Rob

P.S. What model are you going for?

[Edited on 27-9-2005 by rob41b]

Whatever it is, just after you've bought one, you come across a better deal....:mad:

It's because they want to be in the grown-up's group. :cool:

I have both a 851 & a 916. :smug: If I had to sell one it would be the 916. I want to be buried with my 851. Don't ask me why, I just couldn't part with it and I think that in is where the problem lies. No one wants to sell them, so they are a little special:saint: Probable first love etc

agree with rob on this one.

851/888 of all flavours are becoming very desirable bikes to have now, and interest in them is growing, just look at the amount of info and posts etc on this board. will probably be one of the most viewed sections here shortly;);)
I can't see them dropping in value for the foreseeable future to be honest. they are fast becoming probably the most coolectable of the superbike dukes in my opinion.

for all there probs, I love'em ........

cheers
robin

Ravvin' right there blokes.
Can't knock 'em, they've got that x factor that other bikes just don't have. ;)
Mark Forsyth wrote a few years back, "the 888 is the biking equivalent of the Ferrari 250GTO and that, dear reader, is why you want one."
Can't say fairer than that.

Ains.

Just got off the phone from Jasper and we were talking about the very same thing !! (triggered off by us commenting on new owners in here WHICH IS GREAT TO SEE!!)

Its amazing isnt it how desirable they have become..??

I remember Peter Brooking (marketing head honcho at DUK), looking at mine at Silverstone, and saying how they'd still sell bucket loads if the factory still made them !!

Mmmm..now theres a thought...888 sportclassic anyone ??

:lol:

Nat

I'm going into production at this very moment from my modest garage.;);)
I think it would probably be the biggest mistake possible if they started reproducing 8xx bikes, best leave things well alone, its how things were ment to be.....just tell them to get the spares situation sorted out;);)


original is allways best:D:D:D

too right mate..just look at the shoddy raleigh chopper theyve started reproducing...:lol:

Nat

There is a New State side member (can't remember his name) who has just bought a 851/888 but with 916 bits and pieces on it. I hope he has just read you post:smug:

I think that although the 916 is "Iconic",it also brought Ducati into the mainstream,so everybody wanted one either because of the name,kudos or whatever.The shape has now been going for 15 years and i think people are bored with how common it is(in all it's variances) and are therefore looking for the same performance in a less common form.I.E the 888's.You then get back to the original format of rarity,desireabilty and brutal(not softened) v-twin power.I have had an 851,an 888,an SP4,then a hiccough with the 748/853 and now the SP5,the 888's are just everything that Ducati means to me(including the little "fire"!!:().

This is true,I was so close to selling mine after not riding for a while with my neck problem and one thing and another.But soon as I rode it again I knew I would regret it if it went.

Ner Ner..told you so mate...:frog::P:lol:

Nat

:( Guilty as charged:sniff:

I have to admit as much as I think the 9** series bikes are drop dead gorgeous they are quite common in all honesty . I have yet to see another 851/888 since getting mine so I,m looking forward to the DOCGB 851/888 run out and hopefully I,ll see some of you guys at Cadwell on the 9th .

Paul

I have to ever so slightly disagree. :rolleye: I think the 851 put Ducati Back on the map. They kind of lost it for a couple of years. The success of the 851/888 series gave Ducati the spring board to release the 916. When it was released it, as the 916 later was, far beyond it's years. The Japs are only just now catching up with the 916

Agree with all of the above. I've had my 851 for 9 years ( And my Katana for about 13 years).

I have ridden a 916 but felt like I was hanging over the front wheel ( I'm 6ft ) whereas on the 851 I feel as if I'm '' in '' the bike and feel more involved.

As to values, they seem to have bottomed out now at £2 -£2.5 k. I just wish I had a spare five or six grand to buy an SP as well.

Phil

Woooah spookie, Phil you got a Katana too? Me also.
GSX 1000 SZ, the 32mm Mikuni slide carb version from 1982 but on a Y plate. I've had mine since Jan 1985.
Going in for a refurb' this winter, on the road next spring.

At the time t'other arf said she wanted kids, we agreed if she got pregnant I could get a 1000cc bike. Jess' was born July that year on Live Aid day.

Ains.

Class!

Mine's an 82 1000 too. Mikuni smoothbores and yoshi pipe. On the dyno shows 100bhp at rear wheel. She's pretty scruffy as was daily transport at one time and has sat at the back of garage for about 4 years now.

Do you want to hear another spookie?

My wife wanted another baby ( 3rd ) and I said '' Not unless I can have an 851. I fell over when she said O.K. and dragged her off to the bedroom. Three minutes later I was on the 'phone to my mate who was going through an expensive divorce and just happened to be selling an 851 and ten minutes after that was writing him a cheque. Heaven!

Just one question - Do you have arms like a gibbon and a bad back from the solid rear end on the kat? I know I have :D

Wooooooo! A bit parallel that or what?

Just one question - Do you have arms like a gibbon and a bad back from the solid rear end on the kat? I know I have.

Definately race horse ride position in it... The back end was sorted with a braced Metmachex swingarm and Koni shox with tri-springs, but even at 6' 1 it was a bit of a reach.

Got a grip like a Russian shotputter from holding those blo*dy carbs open 70 miles a day for 3 years then 6 months Wigan to Biggin Hill through London each week and back as well.:D

Pipe on mine is the Black Harris 4:1 with race baffle. LOUD. Got the original zorst and swingarm stuck up in the garage rafters.

Ains.

My wife wanted another baby ( 3rd ) and I said '' Not unless I can have an 851. I fell over when she said O.K. and dragged her off to the bedroom. Three minutes later I was on the 'phone to my mate who was going through an expensive divorce and just happened to be selling an 851 and ten minutes after that was writing him a cheque. Heaven!

Wow 3 minutes,you must of give it the full foreplay and hug after bit! you are the man.:lol::lol:

i'm on duke #6 and 7 with my 888 and S4R, and i have to say that after 6 years with my 888 it will not be leaving my garage! if it is possible to truly love a thing, then i do. it's a brute of a thing, quite stocky and gruff while the 9xx type bikes are all girly and soft (sorry, but they are!!!)i have 3 mates here in oz who have them too and they have all done the same thing, they tinker, polish, fiddle etc. but find they ride them less than they deserve, why? cause none of us can get any bloody peace when we're out on them!!

888 and S4R ?..snap..!:D

Ok - seeing as there is a seemingly renewed interest in these beauties by the DSC massive, how about someone post up a history of these?

A brief overview of the specs/range of the 851/888 for unknowing like me would be great;


Ta
Tim

All ready done, there's a few knocking about, E.g. the 851-888 performance book, and I wrote a missive a couple of month ago for Desmo.
I can send it as a pdf if you want?

Ains.;)

YES PLEASE :D

me too please Ains :)

Rattler, Jools, logyk.

Sent to ur eMail ID's.

Ains. ;)

[cough] Me please [/cough]

Thanks Ains :cool: A good read and some nice pics .





Paul.

Any chance you can ping me a copy too please? Thanks

charles

email

You,ve got mail ;)

It's on it's way. Couldn't ftp though, eMail attachment pdf. :D

& me?

Mail

Here, Ains, don't you think these guys should join the DOC GB ?! :lol:

i would..........if i could get the bloody things to load!!! i can't figure out how to get them on trhe board, sorry:(

You`d be surprised how many are in both clubs.