By 1992, when Pierre Terblanche gave the 851 a facelift, Ducati had firmly established a line of SP (Sport Production) homologation specials based on the line. The Italian firm debuted the SP5 for 1993, however they were not able to get it to pass US Department of Transportation regulations, so they created the SPO (Sport Production Omologato) for Americans that year.
The 888 produced 94 horsepower thanks to the iconic desmo valve V-Twin. Slight improvements contributed to a quarter mile time of 10.81 seconds on the way to a top speed of 157 miles per hour. The SPO blended the Strada engine with several upgrades from the SP5, such as the single seat, upswept exhaust, and Ohlins shock with ride height adjustment.
In a 1993 comparison story, Cycle World summed up the 888 SPO as “a Superbike racer traveling incognito, with a headlight and turn signals included to keep the Department of Transportation happy. It is among the very best sportbikes in the world, regardless of engine type, regardless of country of origin…the 888 is one of those rare motorcycles whose limits are so high that you’d be foolish to try to get near them on the street.” Ducati backed that up on the track, winning the 1993 World Superbike Manufacturer’s Championship. Doug Polen would also win the AMA Superbike Championship that year on a Ducati as well.
We’ve heard (but cannot confirm) that 200-290 SPOs were built for the 1993 model year.
This example is VIN: ZDM1HB7RXPB000717. It is being sold by our friends at the Petersen Automotive Museum, they received it in 2021 and do not have any history on the bike before that. Here’s a photo from Wikimedia showing it on display in “The Vault” in August 2024.
The bike has not been ridden during the museum’s ownership. The odometer shows 18,798 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK, MISSING PARTS
Engine Oil Level: OK
Engine Oil Quality: OK
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: LOW
Coolant Quality: OLD (0.15V-0.29V ELECTROLYSIS TEST)
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: OK
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: OK 3% MOISTURE
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: OK
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: OK <1.5% MOISTURE
Final Drive Condition: NEEDS SERVICE
Headlight High Beam: NO BATTERY
Headlight Low Beam: NO BATTERY
Passing Light: NO BATTERY
Parking Light: NO BATTERY
Turn Signals: NO BATTERY
Tail Light: NO BATTERY
Brake Light (Front Switch): NO BATTERY
Brake Light (rear Switch): NO BATTERY
Plate Light: NO BATTERY
Horn: NO BATTERY
Kill Switch: NO BATTERY
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 80%
Forks: OK
Shock/s: OK
Tire Date Code Front: 3115
Tire Date Code Rear: 1315
Tire % Remaining Front: 60%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 80%
Tire Press. Front: 5
Tire Press. Rear: 15
Battery Standing Voltage: NO BATTERY
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: NO BATTERY
Running Condition: NO CRANK, NO START
Additional Notes Continued:
• CLUTCH MISSING 1 SPRING, BROKEN CENTER HUB
• FUEL HOSES ON THROTTLE BODIES CRACKED/DETERIORATED
• FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR DAMAGED
• SEVERAL FASTENERS MISSING/LOOSE
• SIDESTAND BRACKET FALLING OFF – LOOSE
• NON-SAMCO HOSE CLAMPS ON SAMCO HOSES, DAMAGED HOSES
• HAS LED RETROFIT BULB THAT HAS BEEN SAFETY WIRED IN, CONNECTOR BOOT NOT ABLE TO BE PROPERLY INSTALLED WITH LED BULB.
• NO RETURN SPRING ON REAR BRAKE PEDAL, AFTERMARKET REAR SETS
• AIR FILTER WRONG SIZE, HAS FILTER FOR M600/750/900/907 & ST2/ST4 & 750/900SS
• ALL OPENING ROCKER ARMS ARE LOSING THEIR OUTER HARDENED LAYER, WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED
RECOMMENDED REPAIRS:
• REMOVE/REPLACE BATTERY
• REPLACE MISSING FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS
• REPLACE HARD/CRACKING HOSES
• REMOVE/REPLACE COOLANT
• CLEAN INJECTORS
• DESMO SERVICE (BELTS + VALVES)
• AIR FILTER SESRVICE
• REMOVE/REPLACE TIRES
• REMOVE/REPLACE SPARK PLUGS
• HYDRO X1 (REAR)
• CHAIN SERVICE
Modifications:
AviaCompositi carbon fiber front fender.
Woodcraft open clutch cover.
Aftermarket rearsets.
Oberon clutch slave cylinder, carbon fiber front sprocket cover, Samco coolant hoses.
Aftermarket tank pad.
Aftermarket gold bodywork fasteners, Zero Gravity windscreen.
“2” decal (this would normally say “1”).
Tommaselli grips.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Q3 tires with date codes of 1315 and 3115.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Ducati is offered on a clean California title with registration status believed to be on Planned Non Operation. The cost to bring the California registration current through September 2026 is $255.
Have any 888 SPO stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
