Considering buying an 888 Sp5.

RTD

Hello.

This is my first post as a new member of the Forum.

I am considering buying a Ducati 888 SP5, and would prefer a genuine bike with some supporting history that is near original at a fair price.

Any advice, tips or links from knowledgeable members would be much appreciated.

I have already had some helpful suggestions from persons who recommended this forum, which I am currently following-up; including joining myself.

Many thanks.

Tom.

Serjames

Hi Tom and welcome. I can’t really give you any specific SP5 tips - but from a general 888 perspective, I’d be looking out to make sure all the fasteners are intact and the correct types. Normal Ducati maintenance has been completed and recorded e.g. Desmo, Belts, oils, Fuel pumps and filters etc. Bikes these age can really suffer from bad fuel / ethanol in the tank, so bring a torch so you can get a good look inside - rust is recoverable… but pin hols and blown paintwork - more expensive etc

Good luck :-) with the search

mike

Hi Tom - I’ve have a SP5 for about 17 years or so, and I’m not sure that I’d recommend any specific SP5 related checks (other than the checks that you might do to confirm that it is indeed a SP5 - I suspect you’ll already have a good understanding of what differentiates a SP5 from a Strada. Some of them are obvious)

Brake and fuel lines are worth checking - with these bikes 30 years old, if the hoses haven’t been replaced recently, you’d probably want to make allowances for that.

Also - make sure you inspect the swingarm pivot clamp areas carefully for cracks of any 888 that you look at.

guillaume69

Hi Tom,

And welcome here. 👍️

Are you considering importing from abroad in your search ? If so, I will be looking out for 888 SP5s for sale over here in France and will ping you when something of interest come up. I know of a genuine one that belonged to the previous owner of my 851 SP2 (yeah, he was a « SP collector »), but not sure it is for sale by the new owner at this time. I’ll ask anyways. 😉

Here’s a SP4 for sale. Been listed for a month now. Seems to have some racing parts on it, but the (private) seller claims to still have all original parts.

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/motos/2944863980

Let me know if you have any questions or need help with translation from French.

guillaume69

Here’s #219 for sale in the Netherlands. Fair price.

https://www.marktplaats.nl/v/motoren/motoren-ducati/m2270120524-ducati-888-sp5-219

guillaume69

And #088, for sale in the UK. Quite a price difference… Lower mileage too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/202505072131827?refresh=true

RTD

Hello Guillaume,

Many thanks to you, and the others, for helping with this quest.

I would prefer an SP5 if a suitable bike is available, I have made enquiries about the two you have provided links to already.

The UK bike is a lower mileage example and is more more expensive as you say, but it needs some history clarification.

I agree about the bike in the Netherlands, and it is a Ducati confirmed example, but there is no service or other history with it, and with the higher mileage for this type of bike it would probably benefit from an engine refresh. Also, if brought to UK it would incur import VAT on the price paid and the associated charges, which could be up to 20%. I have already asked if they can identify any options, and will wait to see what they say.

Thanks again for all the helpful contributions, and I’ll report any progress.

Tom.

RTD

Hello All.

This is an update to my quest to find a suitable Ducati 888 SP5, which is ongoing.

Firstly, many thanks to all those who have provided advice and options to help my search, it is much appreciated.

I have followed-up the links to available bikes, using the advice provided in Ian Falloon’s buyer’s guide for Desmoquattro Twins, but without a clear preferred choice at this point.

As experienced owners will no doubt be aware, there are potential issues affecting these bikes, which is probably to be expected for older homologation models that may have been tracked or raced, coupled with scarce availability of many parts. In the case of options outside the UK, the cost of authenticating, inspecting, transporting, importing, clearing and registering a non-UK bike can become significant.

Not altogether surprising, the main issues I have experienced relate mainly to modifications not easily reversed, high mileages, multiple owners, scant service and documentary history, lack of matching numbers, and in some cases a high asking price.

I realise that I may be describing a search for the Holy Grail, but I hope not. What would be ideal is a bike that has been cared for during its use and not abused, in reasonable condition with some restoration required but not significant damage, with an acceptable mileage, preferably owned by enthusiasts rather than investors, at a commensurate price.

I am keeping a list of the bikes I have considered, and regularly review it to see if a best option is emerging.

Please keep advice, referrals, views and comments coming, they are appreciated and will all be considered.

Regards,

Tom.

fabSP4

Importing a bike is always a pain , especially from Europe to UK , or the opposite, and costs should have exploded with Brexit
Within Europe , it is easier
Finding your next SPs should be tricky and the price of such bikes could increase knowing imports is costly ….

guillaume69

Fab, your SP4 is the one I was advertising above (LBC) without knowing you were a member here. 😎

Importing a vehicle eligible to a “collection/antique” title to France from outside the EU is not that difficult at all anymore, thanks to the FFVE. Their attestation replaces the infamous Ducati Certificate of Conformity for registration now. The vehicule only has to be over 30 years old, in one piece (including the motor) and unmodified (visually). I have successfully registered 3 bikes imported from Japan these past 3 years.

Importing a 2004 998 from Holland in 2020, on the other hand, was an absolute nightmare, so even within the EU, things can be difficult until you find the people who know the right person at Ducati France… Pity!

RTD

Hello all.

Thank you for the useful information provided so far.

This task is proving more difficult than I realised, even though there are SP5 versions advertised as available. The main issues are around verification, level of originality, history, usage, location and in some cases, price.

However, I have located a bike that could be a definite candidate, even though it does have some of the issues noted.

As I said at the start of this thread, I have little first hand knowledge of these bikes, so I have been relying on what is documented about them, advice provided so far and the available points to consider when buying. However, the bike in question has some features that do not look original to me, and I am hoping that those of you that know about such things, will look at the attached images and advise on those aspects that appear not original, before I go any further with my interest.

I welcome any and all points, comments and advice, and thank everyone who is able to help.

Regards,

Tom.

Mr.R

It looks a pretty decent bike to me, although it has some non original parts. The complete exhaust system is a race upgrade and the footrests are non standard for a start.

What do you actually want his bike?

Are you going to use/ride it or just sit on it for an investment?

Steve R

RTD

Thanks Steve.

I plan to clean, look at, ride occasionally and generally enjoy a bike that I never expected to own. I am not buying it as an investment, which is probably just as well in these uncertain times, but I hope not to lose too much money on the transaction overall.

Thank you for pointing out the exhaust system, which after some checking, could be a Corse system, assuming that it would fit an SP5? I don’t propose to track or race this bike, so would it be best to look for a standard system?

Also, the footrests are obviously different from the standard, but I haven’t been able to identify what they are yet.

Would the original items be difficult/expensive to obtain, to possibly hold in reserve?

If you notice anything else, please let me know.

Regards,

Tom.

Bridgland

Tom - a few additional bits about this bike.

The rear undertray seems to be cut down and not original length. If you want it original, then these are like hen’s teeth and the last one I saw sell was over £400.

Rear bum pad is not original, but the fact that it is slimmer, that will give you a couple of cm of extra leg room. Again, these are around £350 minimum, if you can find one.