Introduced in 1987, the 851 was a huge leap forward for Ducati, adding four-valve heads, liquid-cooling, and fuel-injection to their 90° v-twin. The resulting engine was good for a claimed 93hp at the rear wheel and was dubbed the “Desmoquattro” for obvious reasons. The new bike allowed Ducati to again be competitive in racing, and…
The first Ducati with 4 valves per cylinder, fuel injection, and water cooling, the Desmoquattro 851 was introduced in 1987. Along with winning a lot of races and national series, continued development brought home the World Superbike Championship in 1990. Handling improvements paved the way to subsequent wins with the 888 and 916 models. 1992…
The Ducati 851 was the evolution of the Pantah-based “rubber band” motor series that paid out most handsomely for Ducati. Simultaneously adding liquid cooling, a 4-valve desmo head and fuel injection, the 851 significantly raised the performance game for the Italian brand and launched a new all-out attack into Superbike racing. This evolutionary series laid…
1987 saw the introduction of a new four-valve, water-cooled L-twin engine in Ducati’s new 851. While the air/oil cooled two-valve motor was and continues to be a motor with impressive tuning potential and durability, it had hit its performance limit in racing, and something new was needed to compete against the four-cylinder bikes from Japan.…
While the 851 is generally looked down upon compared to the later evolution of the 888, there’s no denying that one that has existed for 25 years without ever being fired is something to take note of. This example is in Australia and according to the description has been recently uncrated for photographs and is…
The Ducati 851 is literally the bike that saved Ducati from the scrapheap. Prior to the 851 Ducati was in serious financial difficulty and was producing odd bikes like the Paso. In 1985, Ducati was purchased by Claudio Castiglioni’s Cagiva group and shortly thereafter began making world class performance bikes, including the 851 and then…
Motorcycle Designer Pierre Terblanche is a somewhat controversial figure in the world of motorcycle design. Notably held responsible for Ducati’s controversial 749/999 bikes and Sport Classics, you’ll find a great deal of internet hate directed at him. I happen to be a fan of the 749/999 bikes but I acknowledge that they’re not especially pretty…
Ducati has produced scores of “limited editions” in the last 10-15 years that consisted of little more than unique paint schemes and limited equipment upgrades. But in the past few days we’ve been treated to some legitimately rare and noteworthy special edition motorcycles, like the 888 SP4 and even a Supermono. This SP3 definitely stands…
