Motorbike magazines of 20 years ago, often compared the Honda RC 30 and the Ducati 888 SP models. At the end, these bikes were the top of sport bikes. They represented the most exotic commercial bikes available and were also the most expensive. Both of them were real race replicas. When put at the test, the Honda didn’t deliver as much power as one would have thought and that’s why you could get plenty of HRC upgrades. Ducati on the other hand, packed really a lot into their Sport Production series. This SP4 is a great example.
The bike has 25.000 km and the seller mentions that it was only ridden on the road. It features a couple of extras like the Arrow mufflers and aftermarket mirrors, but I assume all original parts are available and included in the price. In addition the seller also offers a spare SP4 spec engine, with just 8000 km. Let’s get to some figures now:
The Ducati 888 SP4 is on sale for 17.500 EUR
This is inline with the cheapest RC30 you might find, but I guess, these won’t be in as beautiful conditions as the seller mentions.
The spare engine is on sale for 6000 EUR
That is not cheap…
If you wish to have both, then you’ll get away with 22.000 EUR.
I have an 888 myself, even though this is only a Strada. I can only mention that these bikes still ride very nicely, they are more comfortable then the 916 series and way more exclusive. They are also very reliable. Mine hasn’t a high mileage and I have never had problems with it. More interestingly, from one of my trips in Japan, I collected a magazine dedicated to Ducati (you got the love how Japanese people can be so passionate about Italian bikes). On this magazine, there was an article about this guy who went twice through the speedometer mileage counter, and still loves his 888. Here’s a scan of that:
Well, I guess you need to be able to read Japanese…
I was told that that’s what it says up there, if instead I was fooled and anybody has a different understanding, then please comment… 🙂
Well, obviously both the Honda RC 30 and the Ducati 888 SP are amazing bikes, they have their own objective advantages and disadvantages in addition to whatever might be your personal taste. Best is to have one of each. One thing is for sure, 888s valuations have not yet reached the status of RCs and given the current Ducati misfortunes in both MotoGP and WSBK, the glorious 888 might spring back in the next years…
Claudio
…..yeah,but it’s not an RC30,so……
When Koyama bought it in 2005, it had 20K Kilos on it. He’s been putting on an average of 20K each year since, and in August of 2008 he spun it through 100K to 0.
Thanks Jason!
So 100.000 km and still going, who says older Ducatis are not reliable ? It’s all about proper maintenance, I guess…
Jason: Good translation, but the guy’s name is Ogawa (小川), not Koyama (小山). Riding 20k/year is pretty impressive. Rolling over the odometer is something I’ve always wanted to do. 🙂
Guys, I’m impressed by your language skills… Arigato Kosaimas
You’re right–sorry, it was before my morning coffee!
But the English is confusing to me–it seems like Claudio is saying it’s gone slightly more than 200K above. I’ve even had my coffee!
I used to translate for Honda Japan for their Japanese domestic market English press releases two decades ago.
BTW, do itashimashite (to the arigato gozaimasu).
Jason: I got the same thing from the article that you did, that Ogawa-san rolled over the odo once @ 100K. Claudio did say that his understanding was via a 3rd party and could be wrong.
Anyway, so much for the supposed unreliability of older Ducs. I love these 888s and their upswept exhausts. Gorgeous. I wish both seller and buyer nothing but the best!
I’ve learned from this site that RC30s are in fact not rare at all, and can be bought anytime anywhere. Unlike this Ducati!
Well, I have commented on this ‘rarity’ issue once before so, ‘once more unto the breach’! Lol
Monatary value is not reflective of rarity. When it comes to the RC 30, I think it’s a combination of production numbers, desirability, and especially ‘the mob’ factor.
If people stopped paying silly prices for a motorcycle produced in the multiple 1000’s and largely untouched, we wouldn’t be having the conversation. Unfortunately, many people are ‘drinking the kool-aid’!
This 888 is not the best example but I sure would love to own one someday, along with the RC 30. I wouldn’t turn down either for a reasonable (yes I know context) price.
If you own an RC 30 and you are reading this…..I am still envious of you!!!
When it comes to bike evaluations there are many factors to be considered beyond the main topic of demand/offer. One of the them, is human behaviour, a bit like on the stock market. For me, a 1986 GSX-R 750 R Limited is more rare than the Honda, but prices are about half of an RC 30. On the other hand, one might argue that there was a lot of HRC technology on the RC30 and then you look at that 7 min. video on YouTube and you fall in love with the Japanese craftsmanship…I say all these bikes are fantastatic, they are special by nature. It doesn’t matter how much others value them, it matters what they mean to you…
Nicely said!
The RCs (except one) are all from the proper HRC development group. And they’re all great. Except NR750s are worth a ton yet make little hp and are super-heavy for what they are. And good luck on probable heavy oil usage as the rings never do their job.
That being said, I was aching over the YB7 that went for less than $11K on eBay a few days ago.
…one thing is sure, Bimotas are under valued at the moment. I am trying to raise awareness of these great bikes, but maybe we should keep it quite and take advantage of this 🙂
I miswrote–it was the YB10 that’s back on eBay due to deadbeat buyer. It will go for less this time.
It’s a LOT of money, but will consider….
Having had both an SP4 and an RC30 parked in my garage simultaneously for five years, and having ridden them back-to-back many times, I can tell you that the RC30 is by far the more competent bike. The Duc is a real beast and one of the most charismatic bikes you’ll ever ride – and on a butter-smooth racetrack it’s as fast as anything – but on the average bumpy British ‘A’ road, it’s shown the way by the Honda. Truly, the RC30 is on another level. http://www.flickr.com/photos/26022896@N04/12249150693/
As to why the RC is so sought after, one only needs to know its history. Here are just some of its successes (..and these are predominantly series’ successes not race successes) http://www.flickr.com/photos/26022896@N04/12248992005/