Ducati’s sculptural 916 may have made headlines for being “the world’s most beautiful motorcycle” and found its way onto the bedroom walls of teenagers all over the world. But ultimately, it was the chunkier, slab-sided Ducati 851 that was really the game-changer for the company, a bike that offered truly modern performance and helped the company make a leap forward that many of its European peers could not. It was the bike that made Ducati relevant again to a contemporary audience, and set the stage for all of the blood-red Italian exotica that would follow. Today’s Featured Listing is a Ducati 851 Strada, the “entry-level” version of this iconic superbike that would have been sold alongside various homologation versions of the bike.
Ducati’s bevel-drive/tower-shaft v-twin of the 1970s is undoubtedly a gorgeous powerplant, but it wasn’t at all suited to mass-production. The 1979 introduction of the two-valve “Pantah” engine, with its cams now driven by modern rubber-belts, was the first step in making the brand relevant to modern audiences. But, although Pantah-engined machines were successful in a variety of racing series, Ducati needed something that could compete on the world stage against the very best machines being produced by Japan. 1987 saw the introduction of the Ducati 851, a bike powered by a truly modern engine: the Desmoquattro, a fuel-injected, four-valve, liquid-cooled, dual overhead cam engine that, naturally, displaced 851cc and featured Ducati’s Desmodromic valve actuation. Producing a claimed 104hp in Strada or “street” trim, the new engine was backed by a six-speed gearbox and suspended in a brand new trellis frame.
Designed to compete in the then-new World Superbike racing series and almost exclusively available in a striking Tricolore color scheme at first, the new bike got off to a slightly rocky start on the road, with handling issues caused by the 16″ wheels originally fitted to the Strada, something that was sorted by switching to 17″ hoops on later bikes. There were no such issues on track, and upgraded “Kit” bikes homologated the new Ducati for competition, winning the 1990 World Superbike Championship. By 1991, the 851 had been superseded by the updated 888, although the two weren’t radically different. In fact, the 1992 version of the 851 Strada seen here was sold alongside the 888 SP4, and 888 SP4S homologation models.
1,236 original miles!
I am the second owner of this bike. Purchased from the original owner in May of 2012 in Denver. Has been stored in my Southern California home since.
Completely stock except for the following tasteful upgrades:
- Termignoni Carbon High Pipes
- Fast by Ferracci ECU Chip (also have the original oem chip)
- Carbon Front Fender (also have stock red fender)
- RK 520 Chain conversion
- AFAM Hard Anodized Rear Sprocket
- Samco Silicon Coolant Hoses with Samco Stainless Steel Hose Clamps
- Shorai Lithium Ion Battery
- Pro-Grip Tank Pad
- Perrelli Diablo Tires
Meticulously maintained, stored indoors, and always covered. Never seen rain, never been down, and never ridden hard. Stored in my garage since 2012, and rarely ridden.
Brake & Clutch fluids recently flushed in January.
Recent oil change.
Cam belts changed at 661 miles.
Current registration in California
Could use some minor tuning as it has only been ridden 575 miles since 2012.
$14,000
Appeals to real Ducati aficionados
Sadly, the Ducati 851 has historically been considered less desirable than the 916. It certainly doesn’t lack significance or racing pedigree but, while it is a handsome machine, it doesn’t really hold a candle to the 916 in terms of raw aesthetics. It’s a bike that appeals to real Ducati aficionados though, rather than “enthusiasts” who wouldn’t know a Pantah from a Paso. The problem with anyone seeking an 851 hasn’t been the prices, which have generally been affordable, it’s finding a good one: these were pretty inexpensive for a long time and, as with many older Italian vehicles, were sometimes maintained on the cheap. And, with many Ducati parts being interchangeable between models, wheels, suspension components, and other bits have been mixed and matched over the years, making a truly original machine a rare find.
This particular Ducati 851 Strada is available for $14,000, has extremely low miles and isn’t completely stock, but features period-appropriate aftermarket components to upgrade the performance and, let’s be honest: the noise. The original booming four-valve Ducati twin, combined with good looks and slightly more comfortable ergonomics than the 916 that would follow? What’s not to like?
-tad
Contact: mjpacheco1@yahoo.com
