Blu-Rare: 1989 Ducati 851s with 1992 race kit in Italy

A Ducati 851 Corsa Superbike is like a “blu-rare” cooked steak; a level beyond rare.   For those readers who are unfamiliar with the 851 Corsa Superbike, in 1991 the Ducati factory produced two small batches of production based customer race bikes (two batches of 25). These bikes were produced in the Spring and Winter of 1990 for use in the 1991 season.

The bike was hugely successful in the 1991 World Superbike Championship and it’s domination was such that it also took the 1992 title.

This particular bike appears to be a 1989 851 that had the 1992 Corsa Racing kit improvements done to it.   According to a post on carandclassicco.uk, the bike started its life as a 851 Racing model 1989 (production late 1988) and it was raced from 1989 to 1992 in the Italian SBK Championship, junior and senior classes.  It was then upgraded to full 888 Racing specs with 888 engine (probably 926cc) with magnesium cases, Ohlins suspensions, rare first type Brembo billet calipers, etc.

Ducati 851 s for sale in Italy

There is limited information in the auction but here is some of what the seller has to say.

Ducati 851/888 Corsa Racing

Please don’t confuse this with a modified road bike, this is a proper factory Superbike Racing (Corsa), the first edition available for the private riders/teams, marked 851 S (called “KIT”).Being raced in the Italian Superbike Championship between 1989/1992 it was updated with all the right bits to 888 specs, including rare parts as the Works carbon tank, magnesium clutch case, very very rare first model billet race Brembo calipers, of course Ohlins front and rear etc.

Bike had just new belts and service.

So whats this worth?  Well its over it Italy, its an ex-race bike  and its had some modifications done to it so its certainly not a bike for a newbie collector.   Current price is 12,000 USD and I doubt the reserve is anywhere near that since the last one of these on RSBFS was a 1991 Raymod Roche true race version  which was offered for 55,000 USD.  However that bike was in pristine condition and came with a slew of extra parts.

Even the folks on the Ducati 851/888 forum seem to be struggling to put a price on this bike.   Perhaps this is one of those former racebikes that will only appeal to a serious collector or someone who formerly raced it/against it.   This would probably be the best outcome; this way it could be truly appreciated and cared for.

-Marty/Dallaslavowner