Bike World Dream Rides | Ducati 888 SP4 On The Road

Back to The Bike Specialists for another Dream Rides, this time it's the stunning Ducati 888 SP4.
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#ducati #dreamrides #bikeworld

[@Ni3K]

About 20 years ago, I went to Lake Ledro with a friend, he had a 888 SP5 with a Sil-Moto an I had a 996 with a Termignoni SP Kit. Every town we road through, people waved and gave a thumbs up, we felt like rock stars. Nowadays, everybody just moans about noise.

[@lorenzomasia9024]

welcome to Italy:-)

[@rideroll9609]

I dont think so its about people...

[@mark675]

People are too in their own heads these days, total wimps

[@hathaway.1166]

All those governfckers that wants electric this electric thạt just don't get it

[@jimstartup2729]

It's only because it's simply too much these days.. too many cars on the road, too much hecticness all around us. For most people having a noisy sporty bike or car go by is just another noisy bike amongst a sea of noisy cars and bikes. I think they would still be appreciated every bit as much if it was less common. People are just frustrated

[@mickkkkyy]

To me the Ducati 888 is the most beautiful of all Ducati , thats probably why i bought one and from the bike specialists lol 😊

[@williamfischer3990]

It could be because when I grew up, but I think the 1199 is the pinnacle of Ducati design language. I think after that generation the design got a little to fussy and aggressive.

[@Sr.D]

90's sport bikes are just better looking than modern ones

[@russellfletcher114]

Oh My Days........ I could listen to that soundtrack all day ❤️

[@vanduc996]

Great video of a gorgeous bike, and Chris deserves a bravery medal for riding that bike in those chilly conditions. One comment though, Foggy never won a championship on a 851/888 series race bike. He won a lot of races on them, but Russell beat him to the championship in '93 and Foggy was riding a 916 series racebike when he won his first championship in '94

[@jimstartup2729]

That is a serious peach of an exhaust note!. No denying that is one of the best I ever heard

[@2wheels6strings8]

I remember riding an 851 from a friends dealership when I was about 19 and loving it. Now (at 56) I finally own a Ducati, a Streetfighter V2, and feel special every time I ride it.

[@philmccaul4699]

WSBK 888 rider Mario Luccenalli (that'll be Marco Lucchinelli)😂 That guy at Bike Specialists is something else 🤣

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

He was close!

[@bananabrooks3836]

Agreed, Best get his facts correct before silver spoon starts quoting them.

[@jonpowell8014]

As a man of a certain age this takes me back a few years. Mates fawning over the latest Japanese four cylinder stuff, the 851 and then the 888's were the ones the got the blood flowing for me, gorgeous!!!

[@rtacconi]

it just sounds great, it always gave me shivers, so raw!

[@nathanedwards8094]

The unmistakable booming sound of a Ducati L twin. To my ears one of the best sounding engines out there. The sound gets inside your ears. Very pleasant noise.

[@nickrider5220]

At last a video that gives a decent impression of the SP4 sound ! I had one in 1994/5, I bought it over the 916 - I found it comfortable, exciting, beautiful and made the most amazing noise.....the intake noise was deafening too. It would easily hit the limiter in top, even the fairing gave decent protection....rubbish at low speed though. Brilliant bike nonetheless ❤

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

Someone in a little group of riders I used to hang out with bought an 851, a sort of dream bike for me, and I got a chance to swap bikes on a ride with him. God what a bike for the street, it fit well, was so nice and stable and that engine was just so strong with a nice linear throttle. Loved the torque, and how it ran up the revs, the sound but more than anything the feel. Earlier I owned a Pantah 650 sold by Cagiva back in 88 and I love it, but just all the trouble.. and the 851 was just everything I loved in that bike, just so much more and better! God it's good to see one on the road again, even if it's online.

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

This is one of my favorite moto series on KZbin. Please don't stop doing these videos.

[@stichupman]

Amen to that. I must say I am very envious of him being able to try these beauties.

[@3300zokii]

My 851 from 1992 will never be sold have had it from 2001. Also have a 1199s but the sound and ride of this 30+ classic is awesome and it is at 84000 km now... 🤟🤟👍👍😎😎✌️✌️

[@TTH77]

Sorry Mr bike specialist Foggy didn't win his first WSB championship on a 888 that's incorrect. What you mean is he won his first WSB race on one at 92 at the Donington round second race which was his own privateer bike. Those of us of a certain were there on the day. This bike ended up being displayed at J&S in Northwich Cheshire for a while before it was sold. I used to walk past it eveytime i went there for a while. Roche won the title on an 851 in 1990, Pollen 91,92 on an 888 so I make that two championships for the 888 but not with Foggy. So much for your research. For the 93 season he got a full works Ducati ride on a 888 which he came second in the championship behind Scott Russel. He won his first WSB championship in 94 on a 916. Still a good video👌

[@ROKKET71]

As soon as he said “Foggy won his first championship on one…” I thought “No, it was the 916 in ‘94” but wasn’t 100% sure. Thanks for confirming 👍

[@megapet777]

God I love that V2 sound in a sportsbike.

[@stichupman]

For me a v-twin engine is the best sounding engines and just fantastic low down grunt.

[@rideroll9609]

That is why I love my VTR FireStorm... If you would like to listen to Titanium Scorpion slip ons just watch my channel ;D

[@megapet777]

@@rideroll9609 Oh that's nice :) love the sound. How does the power feel on that bike? Considering 600cc sportsbike have more HP, but way less torque obviously.

[@NeonLuvBar]

Try an 851 SP3. First production Ducati with a four valve head, first Ducati with fuel injection and liquid cooling. Lighter than an 888. 1992 model is the best.

[@tcrides2137]

The great sound of the old Bologna Desmo 4 valved engines. Nothing else like them. It's just the maintenance and parts availability problem

[@adrianniles5333]

Best thing I ever got to ride. A 888. Loved the delivery.

[@elgar6743]

Absolutely love the 'klac klac klac klac klac' of the Ducati dry clutch

[@siraff4461]

I wanted a Ducati from that era for many years but always dodged them because of the issues and costs. Finally went out and got a 900SS a few years back mostly because it was the white frame/wheel model and it looked/sounded awesome. No regrets at all. It sounds great, pulls hard (even though its not really fast) and looks gorgeous. It even rides really well apart from lockstops just off centre which can be a bit of a shocker the first time you find them. Great old bike though. I'm really glad I got one.

[@Slingshotgixxer]

Yes the steering lock occasionally catches me , and makes makes you look like right knob lol

[@siraff4461]

@@Slingshotgixxer Usually if I've been riding something else, get on it and as I leave the drive there just isn't the lock I expect. Que doing a foot-shuffle like a learner in the first hour of their CBT and anyone in the area looking at me like I've never been on a bike before. I thought about filing them back a bit but I can't bring myself to do something I can't reverse on a bike thats in such good condition. I love it though. Its a bit like my RGV because they both have the potential to give a big bill at any minute but they are such an experience to ride they're well worth it.

[@Slingshotgixxer]

They are absolutely beautiful bikes , mines a 95 ss/sp , never will sell it :)

[@artmchugh5644]

Yes the 91 900ss was and is a fabulous machine!!!! I should know, I put 196,000 miles on mine !!!😂🏍🏍🏍👍👍🍺🍺🍺

[@Slingshotgixxer]

@@artmchugh5644 A 196,000 miles !! are you serious!?

[@ragerider6283]

Great vid & great bike too. One of the most awe-inspiring an emotive for me. I remember seeing one going down the high street when I was about 16 & just getting in to bikes & my jaw was hanging open as boomed down the road at about 25 mph & the shop windows were literally shaking. You could also feel it thudding through the ground too, it was just amazing.

[@bimmerfan729]

I love this series! What an opportunity this has been to ride all of these dream machines!

[@royevans4581]

They definitely have a lot of presence. The 851 was a great bike too.

[@tokyosmash]

I distinctly remember a BOTT race at Daytona where one of these and an XRTT were going blow for blow, those sounds are legend

[@dalewarren9885]

I remember competing in the WSB round in NZ in 1988 and seeing the Ducati team had around 20 crates with an engine in each. Before every practice session or race, a new engine in both bikes. Didn't stop me from buying a 999R in later life tho

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

I love these 'Dream Ride' videos. You could make them longer and I'd love them more!

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks, we are considering longer versions, coming soon!

[@Designer_Opine]

As a vintage (‘01 and ‘02) Ducati owner, I love a good affirmation clip. Thanks Chris and BW.

[@doca8792]

That’s the first Ducati I fell in love with. Eventually got me a 996s Monoposto and never looked back.

[@realscience948]

Love dream rides…..great job Chris and bike owner!

[@scottieray]

My first new motorcycle was a 1994 Ducati 900SS-CR. I can still remember how that engine BOOMED inside my helmet. Any small rise in the road was an opportunity for an unplanned wheelie. It was a gorgeous motorcycle. It only made 80-ish horsepower, but it made enough torque to catch you out if you weren't familiar with it. I sold it for MORE than I paid for it. I couldn't swing the payments (in my early 20s) for the 916 that was in the showroom...but the 900SS-CR was a great entry point at the time into the Ducati life.

[@vinnymorrissey7357]

How have I only just found this channel! Awesome energy.

[@cecilwilson5442]

Carl Fogarty,, brought his one over to the North West 200 the year he went to WSB and cleaned up,,as he needed the money,, should be videos somewhere,,but brilliant stuff ☘️☘️☘️ from northern Ireland 😁

[@Showmetheevidence-]

I was the same… discovered Ducati & superbikes when foggy, corset and chili were smashing fairings on 916s… epic! But now I can see where it came from with the 888s as the precursor.

[@alanprice9938]

YES!! What a beauty. I never owned one, and bought the 996 instead (still got it after 2 and a half decades), but this is the bike that got me hooked on Ducati, after the guys at Ron Parkinson’s in Colchester let me test a few. Once they start, you know they’re special, cos you feel it in your gut that it’s going to be an event, like no straight 4 ever could. Think you might have just put me in the market for one……

[@barirwin8559]

Great film Lads.Excellant presentation. Sound quality on the exhaust note, immaculate.

[@WJRobbins125]

The snow in slow motion, just added to the dream-like sounds. :)

[@SpoolinVR]

I love Dream Bikes videos. Thank you.

[@ducedevlstear2471]

Seriously ? I had plans guys and you upload this ?!? You totally screwed my day, now I have to completely reschedule... 🥴

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Sorry!

[@joeblow5037]

Just swap the 'cook meth' appointment with 'do laundry' should free up just enough time 🙂

[@ducedevlstear2471]

@@BikeWorldTVshow enjoyed it, another great video 👌🏻 can't wait what's coming next 🥃🎩 thanks.

[@Kwhopperfan]

Loved that sound!

[@TheRhodes76]

Absolutely beautiful, I’ve just fell in love with the 888 🤤👌🙋‍♂️

[@mikemills5144]

I love this series.

[@desmopatrick]

One of the bikes sounding bikes ever (with open exhaust)!😍

[@DevRSVR]

When i was a young teen (were talking very early 90s) a couple of English guys rolled through my home village of Cong Co. Mayo, one of them on an 888. And so began my love of motorcycles. It was the bike that got me hooked. Super cool machine. If you offered me this or a 916 it would be this all day long.

[@gordonmerrilees5846]

I had an SP4 which I absolutely loved. Until it snapped it's crankshaft in half! Apparently due to lack of maintenance by previous owner. The sound was amazing. My wife said that she would put the kettle on when she heard me approach from about a mile out. Not so much loud but distinctive.

[@muhammadzain7299]

I love this series

[@turboslag]

Back in 1988, having avidly read all the rumours, sneak pix etc of the mystical 851 8 valve twin, as soon as the very first tricolores became available I bought one of the 25 kit versions, which I still have. If you think the SP4 sounds good, which it does, try an 851 kit! They are demonic! They are supposed to make 120 bhp, I wouldn't be surprised as it feels very quick. I then bought an SP2, fantastic machine, wish I'd never sold it! Also had an 888 Luchinelli rep, brand new in the crate, the dealer I used for Ducati gave me a deal as Ducati couldn't sell them! Very regretably I had to sell that due to financial circumstances at the time. Very bad move as that would now be worth at least £75k! I also had one of the cooking 851 Strada's, that was a very nice bike to ride, not as extreme as the SP's. That was written off courtesy of some tw4t making an illegal right turn out of t junction, luckily I wasn't badly hurt.

[@TheBezaleel]

I remember hearing this bike ridden in anger in Assen, Holland, by Foggy. The race started and every time Foggy took the lead and disappeared. There was a very good reason he was called 'the King of the Assen'.

[@andrewjohnson6297]

I’ve always lusted over the 888 in all its forms what a bike and what a soundtrack I always remember Fabrizio Pirovano monoing stood on the foot pegs every time he crossed the finish line

[@rs5001988]

Best bike ever built bar none absolutely pure beautiful gem ❤v❤

[@maamajhigouri1207]

What an amazing looking bike

[@faceedgewoodworking]

Bloody awesome! Can I be the anorak? Foggy lost out to Russell, don't think he won the title on the 888. 916 was his first. Happy to stand corrected. Great vid 👌

[@Justin-iw7pl]

Keep em coming chris👌 Can we have a Evo Blade soon 🙏

[@gsakroyd]

Yes.!! Been a poster of mine since I was a teenager…(now45) …exquisite..❤

[@giuseppemaenza9255]

Wow what a classic great bike, greetings from Sicily

[@marksmallman4572]

I used to own a 900 ss tuned by Baines Racing at Silverstone, stage 1 tune and almost no exhaust baffles, the sound was fantastic sounded light like a machine gun, but a bit embarrassing on a cold start up and around town. Loved it.

[@scottieray]

I was at a stop sign on my 900SS-CR on a cold dry clutch. Let out to take off and stalled and fell right over. The kids across the street got a good laugh out of that. But living in Arkansas they came over to help me get her back up and spent the next 30 mins asking me all kinds of questions about it. This was in the early 90s when Ducatis were true exotic motorcycles.

[@davidlabbe1411]

Raced a standard one with friends in 2000 during a 600 miles race (French Ducati Club event). It didn't end well (broken crank shaft after 8 hours) but what à bike ! Still have thrills hearing the sound 😅

[@derkarmaczar]

Great video man! That is truly a beautiful example. I have 888 SP4 #475 in my living room. 😊

[@nathanedwards8094]

I love the wide powerbands of L twins and v twins. That's one of the reasons why I like them so much.

[@twistandgo3414]

Was fortunate enough to try an 851 many moons ago, felt really stiff and slow to steer, but what a noise!!! And very planted. Wasn't as fast as I thought it would be though.

[@jayblake7005]

Beautiful bike , great videos pleas keep doing them

[@markgrainger8695]

Foggy never won an WSBK Championship on a 888, his first was 1994 on the debut year of the 916.

[@toucheturtle3840]

I first saw a Ducati 851 in the shop window of Oxford Motorcycle Engineers… I fell in love… Being an ordinary Herbert I’ve had to settle with a Kawasaki ZX7R…

[@michelmariani3980]

Amazing looking bike…🔥

[@TheBeechwoods]

Absolutely stunning machine

[@davidgibson7234]

I knew a bloke with a 900 Superlight. I love to see you do a dream ride on one of those Chris.

[@kextrz]

Between those guys listening to themselves, I remembered the early 900SS being my dream bike, no matter how underpowered it was. A few years later, Ducati came up with the 916. It was everybody's dream bike, even if it was still slightly underpowered compared to the Japanese bikes. I guess the 888 came somewhere in between. I need to do my homework here.

[@arrow0872]

I just hit the like button and apparently I’m the 888th person to do so 😀. Sounds wonderful, awesome bike, love it! I also think that the rectangular headlight is gorgeous by the way…

[@denislemelin7653]

Yep it’s a beautiful all right ! I have a 1993 907IE , there so nice .

[@sofalugger]

Had one in 1991 brand new from Moto-Cinelli , Hoss ? Later a Spondon chassied one (built by Steve Wynne with 888 Corsa engine) Beautiful bikes.. Used to set car alarms off in towns n villages!! Halcyon days

[@racinghome657]

Foggy never won a championship on an 888. He won his first race on a private 888, and then rode a factory 888. Scott Russell won the championship. Foggy only won on the 916.

[@splodge5714]

Russell was on the Kawasaki 750, another fantastic looking race bike, his crash helmet wasn't too bad either. Watch the video of him beating Polen on the Ducati at the 92 Daytona 200, a great race.

[@dylanhedges5634]

Properly good review I'm on in my 30s and feel this

[@ianjohnston2361]

A truly awesome bike....

[@MoonBernie]

It sings. When you drive it right... I dunno how to explain, but. There is in the sound when you chase it in the right rev's a song. And its something no other Ducati had. not even the 916 even tho I love te sound of that one too. But the 888 have something more. To me its the best Ducati ever build.. Here in the little winding country roads in flanders. Between the fields and open spaces up and down the little hills, hanging left to right blowing the warhorn. Echoing across the fields.... Thats living. A gift of the Gods.

[@rideswithhoover9789]

For me the MHR with Conti’s is the best sounding bike ever.

[@splodge5714]

I had a Black and Gold '79 900SS, great bike a real Ducati V twin. But I would have also loved an 888SP5. Foggy won his 1st WSB championship on the 916.

[@patthewoodboy]

correct , I was thinking I had missed something

[@sverresteinsland5582]

Chris on a 888 SP4!? This is gonna be good!!

[@mosca3289]

Great riding footage

[@nathanedwards8094]

Bikes that are built in a shed are the best. They are world beaters.

[@joeblow5037]

Buddy has about 20 bikes. Whenever he asks what I wanted to ride, I would always head (it's now sold) for the '95 900 SS SP with Staintunes. NOTHING sounds as good as a Duck with pipes.

[@Scottm46]

I LOVE IT ❤

[@berca76]

I remember when 916 arrived I was a tiny bit dissapointed by it's sound. There's something really special on 851/888 sound :-) Especially the racing versions from WSBK.

[@dumbwaiter3644]

My first Ducati was a 750ss which was written off my the usual (car"didn't see you") then a 900ss which was written off the same way ( "the sun was in my eyes") and now have a 748S . No idea which to say I enjoyed most. Sadly, injuries mean I now use my Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor more than the Duke, but on a good day it still gets used fairly hard. LOVE the sound. Imhoit's even better than my AC Cobra Mk IV.

[@cliveomahoney4096]

I love the enthusiasm for these bikes and this series: the 750 Kawa was my fav. This bike left me a bit chilly. The rectangular headlight is/was inexcusable. The, controversial, 999 to me is so much better: I rode the, first and only one at the time in the UK, in Brighton, on bike day and..............stalled at the lights on the seafront.

[@davesnowpros6785]

Beautiful

[@Edison73100]

Fantastic.

[@tomondiek2839]

i like how he takes off

[@pauledmonds3249]

No matter what anyone says, these bikes are difficult to ride quickly, and slowly. Zero steering lock, hard suspension, lots of rider input required, dodgy electrics, stupid side stand. But, fuck me sideways, if you get it all right on a nice smooth A road you'll be living the 1988 Doug Polen dream. At the 1995 TT i passed an MCN test rider on the brand new RC45 up Hailwood's rise on mad Sunday on one of these on sheer torque (and a bit of track knowledge). As I came out of the Creg it left a big streak of rubber on the road as I opened it full throttle in second and it rearranged my internal organs. Horsepower is second to torque.

[@gailslostchin]

My favourite duc.

[@newtype101]

Omg 999R is getting closerrr 😍

[@rustynuts82]

Yep, the best sounding engine ever! I watched those beauties at Donnington wsbk with Roche, Polen and Falappa onboard ….. absolutely glorious looking and sounding machines. Mark Phillips often raced at Mallory, you could hear his 888 all the way around the circuit!

[@CurvedSlightly]

A-up, Jay Kays at it again, riding others bikes, racking up the miles, giving zero fcuks, farting on the seats and drinking free coffee.

[@cpuuk]

Now that sounds proper 🙂

[@sk2283]

This bike is on my 'wanted' list .... one day I will have one in the garage !!

[@roland4506]

I have a 888SP4 for sale ... Are you interested ?

[@sk2283]

@@roland4506 unfortunately not until I finish a building project I am doing - sunk all my money into a pile of bricks and timber !

[@roland4506]

@@sk2283 Ok, I understand :-)

[@rideroll9609]

Did you know that Ducati 888 was the first vehicle that goes up the Goodwood Road & Racing hill? That sound is just blast.... something like FireStorm 1000f deep and rumble

[@anthonywhite9264]

One of me favourite machines ,Yes plz

[@maximilianboost8498]

The best of this series todate. Ive got a modified Superlight that sounds almost identical - but is a good 20bhp less 🤣

[@williamfischer3990]

I kind of love that clunk when a motorcycle goes into first gear. Their is something reassuring about it, like a rifle bolt being cocked in.

[@sburns2421]

IMO the sound has something to do with the spacing of the pipes, maybe in relation to the wavelength at certain rpm and attenuating certain frequencies. 916, 999, 1098 has them together under the seat and they don't sound the same. Also the airbox on an 851/888 has a deep resonant sound when on full throttle which adds to the experience. Fast by Ferracci pipes on mine, back in the day when car alarms were based off motion and not very sophisticated it would easily set off alarms on parked cars if I started it near them.