The Ducati 888 SPO is a bit of a hidden jem, no doubt due to the bike that came right after it, the 916. Only produced for two years and specific to the USA, the 888 SPO was a limited edition of the 888 – only 390 were produced.
NOTE: 1993 was the first year the bike was introduced and saw a total a total of 290 built that year for the US market. A further 100 were made in ’94 with some subtle changes. The 1993 model was known as the 888SPO, while the ’94 was technically known as the 888LTD.
Featuring the trademark desmo valve V-Twin, the 888 SPO/LTD series produced 94 horsepower and were very much suited to track time. Though road legal, the riding position is what one would call “committed”, and they weren’t friendly in traffic.
1993 Ducati 888 SPO on ebay
For a limited edition Ducati, the 888SPO seems to gets less mention as a desired collectible than the mass produced 916. Personally I think this is beautiful bike and given that it was used as the basis for bikes that won both the World Superbike and AMA Superbike championships in 1993, it should certainly be part of any Ducati fans collection.
Limited information from the seller is as follows:
For sale an amazing Ducati 888 SPO with 11000 original miles. the bike is mint and very well taking care of. Recently serviced for over $2000 by Pro Italia. NOS original Termignoni just installed as well.
for serious collector only.
So what’s it worth? Well maintenance for this bike seems to have been done but I would still try to find out info about belts and any head and/or base gasket leaks. Back in July a SPO with 712 miles was listed on RSBFS and that went for 16k USD so the asking price of this one at 15.5k is pretty much spot on . While mileage is higher, its for sale in California which tends to bump up the price a bit. All in all, this seems to be a good option for a west coast collector to acquire a 888 SPO.
Marty
“jem”?
White front faring # plate is not stock, so mint is not entirley correct. I also think ths 290 # produced in 93 is a bit high. I believe it is closer to 200. Check Ian Fallon’s book.
I had one of these 888 SPO’s. Bought it new from Koups. Also had ZX7R at the same time. Both were lethal weapons and could hit 140 on any straight stretch. Both rode wicked long wheelies.
I miss them and both are going up in value.
I don’t have the money or body to ride these anymore but feel lucky to have had them when I was young and wild. These would have been when I was in the 22 to 25 year old range. Preceded by a VF500 Interceptor when I was around age 17, an FJ600 shortly thereafter, a ZX600, and then those two mighty beasts mentioned above.
It was a neat time to be into sport bikes as they were just developing to there now standard appearance and specs.
As a nod to the past I have the beautiful condition 1986 GSXR-750 but nothing will ever shake the ground or my soul like that fire breathing 888 SPO.