Chassis: Frame No. ZDM888S*000711*
Engine: ZDM888W4*000766*
Rare and Collectible as Number 136 of Just 500 Built
An Extremely Low-Mileage Example Showing Just 2,884 Miles at Time of Cataloguing
Remains in Stunning, Sparingly Used Condition
Formerly Part of a Private Collection of Important Italian Motorcycles
An Excellent Example of What Is Widely Regarded to Be the Finest 851 Variant
888 CC DOHC Liquid-Cooled L-Twin 4-Stroke Engine
Weber-Marelli Electronic Fuel Injection
128 BHP at 10,500 RPM
6-Speed Manual Gearbox
Front and Rear Disc Brakes
Front Öhlins Telescopic Fork Suspension
Rear Swing-Arm Monoshock Suspension with Adjustable Öhlins Shock
“The finest and most exotic 1990s racers for the road. These were hand built before the 916 transformed Ducati into a real mass-production manufacturer. This is the model with aluminum tank and all the carbon parts, when the SP models were truly special. The 851 is the ultimate superbike that Ducati built after it won the battle of the twins at Daytona in 1987.” -Adam Lindemann
The Ducati 851 was the successor to the 750 F1 and ushered in a new era for the storied marque. The model was a radical departure from the air-cooled 750 F1 design, and represented a huge leap forward, becoming the blueprint for decades of Ducati Superbikes to come. These motorcycles featured a new trellis frame, liquid cooling, fuel injection, and a dry clutch. Significantly, the 851 featured the first successful implementation of Ducati’s legendary desmodromic valve actuation with a four-valve cylinder head, known as Desmoquattro. This design has since become a defining feature of Ducati’s highest performance models to this day.
Throughout the 851’s production, Ducati released seven “Special Production” models for homologation purposes, and the bikes were a result of Ducati’s relentless quest to achieve world-championship-winning performance while simultaneously maintaining reliability and usability for the street. The SP3, regarded by most enthusiasts to be the most desirable of all the SP variants, retained several key features from the SP2 – the 888 cc engine, close-ratio gearbox, Öhlins suspension, and Brembo brakes. But the bike was further upgraded with a carbon fiber front fender, remote master cylinders, a stronger clutch, and featured 128 hp.
With the 851 and the later 888 model, Ducati achieved World Superbike Championships in 1990, 1991, and 1992.
This lovely example is number 136 of the 500 SP3s constructed, its steering head badge reading “1990 Superbike World Champion, SP3 136.” This SP3 was acquired by Mr. Lindemann from a collection of important Italian motorcycles in Connecticut and remains in stunning condition, showing just 2,884 miles at the time of cataloguing. This is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a significant modern superbike that is a direct result of Ducati’s legendary racing program.
*Please note that this vehicle is titled 1995 and as a Special Construction Vehicle.
