Ducati 888

Ducati 888
Manufacturer Ducati
Production 1991-1993
Predecessor Ducati 851
Successor Ducati 916
Class Sport bike
Engine liquid cooled 888 cc (54 cu in), 90° V-twin, fuel injected 4V/cyl. desmodromic
Bore / stroke 94.0 mm × 54.0 mm (3.70 in × 2.13 in)
Compression ratio 11.0:1
Power 70.1 kW (94.0 hp) @ 8,740 rpm[1]
Torque 80.5 N⋅m (59.4 lb⋅ft) at 7,000 rpm[1]
Transmission 6 speed, chain drive
Frame type Tubular steel trellis frame
Brakes Front: Dual disc
Rear: Single disc
Tires Michelin Hi-Sport 120/70ZR17 (f) 180/55ZR17 (r)
Rake, trail 24.5°, 99 mm (3.9 in)
Wheelbase 1,410 mm (55.5 in)
Seat height 790 mm (31.0 in)
Weight 204 kg (449 lb) (tank empty)[1] (dry)
217 kg (479 lb)[1] (wet)
Fuel capacity 19 l; 4.2 imp gal (5.0 US gal)

The Ducati 888 was a motorcycle manufactured by Ducati as an upgrade to the Ducati 851. The earlier 851 had introduced liquid cooling, computerized fuel injection and four-valve heads to the company's two cylinder motors. In 1991 Ducati increased the capacity of the 851 to 888 cc to create the 888. Both engines featured the Desmoquattro valvetrain concept in which a four valve per cylinder motor was given desmodromic valve actuation, with cams both opening and closing the valves. Ducati's desmodromic system reduces the frictional penalty from conventional valve springs.[2]

Riding the Ducati 888, Doug Polen won first place in the 1991 and 1992 World Superbike Championships.[3] After losing to Kawasaki in the 1993 World Superbike Championship, Ducati ceased production of the Ducati 888 and released the Ducati 916 which had a larger engine capacity.[4]

Continuing refinement yielded the next two generations of the Ducati Desmoquattro superbike, resulting in the 916/996 and 999 lines.

In a 1993 road test of the 888SPO, Cycle World measured a 0 to 1⁄4 mile (0.00 to 0.40 km) time of 11.25 seconds at 123.45 mph (198.67 km/h), and a 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration of 3.3 seconds. They measured a top speed of 152 mph (245 km/h) and a braking distance of 60 to 0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) of 123 ft (37 m).[1] The wet weight of their test bike was 497 lb (225 kg) and the rear-wheel horsepower was 94.0 hp (70.1 kW) at 8,740 rpm, and torque was 59.4 lb⋅ft (80.5 N⋅m) at 7,000 rpm.[1]

Ducati said the 1992 racing version of the 888, the SBK had a dry weight of 142 kg (313 lb) and 134 hp (100 kW) at 12,000 rpm, and was capable of a top speed of more than 290 km/h (180 mph).[5]

Racing history

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ducati 888 vs Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000; Two Italian sport bikes, no apologies needed", Cycle World, pp. 32–41, July 1993
  2. ↑ S.F.B (Summer 2017). "Purity of Purpose". Popular Science. February 1995: 33.
  3. ↑ "AMA Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame | Doug Polen". www.motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  4. ↑ www.ducati.com, Ducati Motor Holding -. "Ducati 916 SBK '95". www.ducati.com. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  5. ↑ History > 90s > Models 888 SBK '92, Ducati
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