Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 851 / 888 > 888 questions ...

[yellow916]

Steve

Wouldn't argue it's a huge difference, just quoting somehing I think I read somewhere!

Andrew

[851neil]

I'll 2nd Rob's offer, there's an awful lot you can do with a base model - not too far from some posting here.

[Jasper]

TP,thanks for those comments about the mountain.Says alot about the bike that it didn't spit me off on the wet grass!!You are welcome to have a go(when your brave enough!).Donington in three weeks,hope it gets through the noise test!!

[FiscusFish]

My standard '93 Strada weighed over 230 kg on my MOT testers scales, with "some" fuel (can't remember how much), standard cans, bodywork discs etc. In track guise with Ricambi bodywork, including single seat, high rise race cans and Speigler iron discs it came in at just under 200 kg. Make of that what you will...

Darren

[TP]

Originally Posted by FiscusFish

My standard '93 Strada weighed over 230 kg on my MOT testers scales, with "some" fuel (can't remember how much), standard cans, bodywork discs etc. In track guise with Ricambi bodywork, including single seat, high rise race cans and Speigler iron discs it came in at just under 200 kg. Make of that what you will...

Darren

Wow! That's a pretty dramatic change. Did you make a serious effort to shift some weight off the bike?

So I get the impression that these things are heavier than the 996/998 range?

[weeveetwin]

The manual quotes:

Strada =
445.3lb (dry)
489.4lb (kerb/wet)

888SP =
414.4lb (dry)
458.5lb (kerb/wet)

So, approx. 31lb difference if the book can be believed - but believe me, it feels like more!

[Mr.R]

Originally Posted by weeveetwin

The manual quotes:

Strada =
445.3lb (dry)
489.4lb (kerb/wet)

888SP =
414.4lb (dry)
458.5lb (kerb/wet)

So, approx. 31lb difference if the book can be believed - but believe me, it feels like more!

Hi Steve, i do believe you, but i think it's more down to the set up of the bike (sp4 ). I think the claimed dry/wet weights were about as reliable as the claimed BHP on these models!
I have changed out the strada parts for sp/corse parts on my special, weighing them as i go.Short of the OHLINS forks and the alloy sub frame, however i have lightened the steel sub frame,throwing away the handholds drilled out anything that could be ( holes cost nothing but my time, there free to me ) and cut of and thrown any thing that doen't need to be there,I'm just about there.
Carbon Huggers, cans, footrests and carbon/kevlar sp4 seat unit.
Lightwieght discs,chain +sprockets,
Corse Mag engine covers,RS996 clutch cover,
Lightened s/steel + Ti bolts,
Alloy flywheel,clutch,1/2 time gears,camshaft wheels,
50mm full spaghetti system ( very light weight )
Light conrods,pistons and crankshaft,
I even changed the clipons for alloy ones! that saved me a whole 2oz!!!!
If this bike comes in at the claimed weight for an sp4.......I'll have your children and the rest of the forum/DSC membership can watch.
But i'd love to be proved wrong.
Steve Robins S.W. .......Not weeveetwin

[FiscusFish]

Originally Posted by TP

Did you make a serious effort to shift some weight off the bike?

No not really. The cans are just the usual straight through types that most Ducatis run around with anyway. The Speigler DI discs probably account for a pound or so each so I guess the biggest difference is from the fibreglass Ricambi bodywork.

It was still road legal though as I'd attached a pair of "out front" endurance style lights to the front and it also had the number plate/rear light in case I wanted to ride around in the Pyrenees as well as on track...

From my point of view it'd have to be Strada all the way. The thought of stacking an SP on the track fills me with dread whereas my '93 Strada owes me 3K... And with the execption of the tank (of which I've now got a spare) can be fixed for relatively small change) obviously dependent on how bad it gets...

As for the extra performance an SP could offer, the limiting factor is always going to be me.

Darren

[TP]

Originally Posted by 851neil

I'll 2nd Rob's offer, there's an awful lot you can do with a base model - not too far from some posting here.

Cheers Neil! The only Auckland I know is a fair hike from here so I might take a packed lunch! But I've never been to New Zealand and I hear it's really pretty so I'm up for it.

Originally Posted by Jasper

TP,thanks for those comments about the mountain.Says alot about the bike that it didn't spit me off on the wet grass!!You are welcome to have a go(when your brave enough!).Donington in three weeks,hope it gets through the noise test!!

No worries mate .. it's not so much being brave or whatever, but god forbid the worst happened I don't have the cash to put your pride and joy back to immaculate condition immediately, or even quickly for that matter. I'd rather not risk it until I'm financial enough to do so because I'd rather not let anyone down.

But thank you all to those who've offered me a ride on their bikes! I'm a tad overwhelmed, what a great club

[philthy]

Originally Posted by TP

god forbid the worst happened I don't have the cash to put your pride and joy back to immaculate condition immediately, or even quickly for that matter. I'd rather not risk it until I'm financial enough to do so because I'd rather not let anyone down.

A sensible view.

A few years ago on a ride with a few mates I was offered a bike swap to do the return trip on a mint T595, which I reluctantly declined for the above reasons.

Breakfast over, ride off, seconds later the T595 and owner went straight across a T juction and into a stone wall. Apparently he shut the throttle but the bike carried on accelarating and was written off.

HUGE sigh of relief from me that I hadn't taken him up on the offer