Ducati 888 SPO

Make Model	Ducati 888 Corsa
Year	1989 - 94
Engine	Four stroke, 90°“L”twin cylinder, DOHC, desmodromic 4 valves per cylinder, belt driven
Capacity	1989 - 93: 888 cc / 54.2 cu in 1994: 926 cc / 56.5 cu in
Bore x Stroke	1989 - 93: 94 x 64 mm 1994: 96 x 64 mm
Compression Ratio	12.0:1
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Induction	1989 - 93: Weber I.A.W. CPU P7 electronic fuel injection. 2 x 50mm throttle bodies 1994: Weber I.A.W. CPU P8 electronic fuel injection. 2 x 50mm throttle bodies
Spark Plugs	1989 - 92: Champion A506V 1993 - 94: Champion A55V
Ignition	Inductive magnetically triggered
Battery	12V 5Ah
Starting	Electric
Max Power	1989 - 92: 94.1 kW / 128 hp @ 11000 rpm 1993: 99.3 kW / 135 hp @ 11500 rpm 1994: 104.4 kW / 142 hp @ 11500 rpm
Clutch	Dry,multiplate
Transmission	6 Speed
Primary Drive Ratio	2:1 (31/62)
Gear Ratios	1989 - 92: 1st 2.466 / 2nd 1.765 / 3rd 1.400 / 4th 1.182 / 5th 1.043 / 6th 0.958:1 1993 - 94: 1st 2.000 / 2nd 1.610 / 3rd 1.350 / 4th 1.190 / 5th 1.091 / 6th 1.000:1
Final Drive Ratio	2.466:1 (15/37)
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Tubular steel
Front Suspension	42 mm Öhlins upside-down fork with rebound compression damping adjustable
Rear Suspension	Öhlins single shock with preload and damping adjust
Front Brakes	2 x 320 mm Disc, 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	1989 - 91: 210 mm disc, 2 piston caliper 1992 - 94: 190 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	1989 - 93: S1016 x 17 1994: 12/60-17SC 1275 Michelin
Rear Tyre	1989 - 93: S1423 x 17 1994: 18/67-17SC1866 Michelin
Rake	22.5°
Dimensions	Length: 2000 mm / 78.7 in Width: 670 mm / 26.4 in Height: 1120 mm / 44.1 in
Wheelbase	1430 mm / 56.3 in
Seat Height	760 mm / 29.9 in
Dry Weight	1989 - 90: 158 kg / 348 lbs 1991: 155 kg / 341lbs 1992: 150 kg / 330 lbs 1993: - 94: 145 kg / 319 lbs
Fuel Capacity	19 L / 5.0 US gal / 4.2 Imp gal
Colours	1989 - 92: White frame, red 1993 - 94: Bronze frame, red

By 1991, the Ducati 888 had won 23 World Superbike races and had only been beaten once. Doug Polen on his Fast by Ferracci bike won 17 races and even held the outright lap record at Jarama for a significant period. World Super Bike had become a huge spectator sport, with recognisable machines that riding fans could relate to, and the 888-cc V-twin Ducatis were dominating the 750-cc four-cylinder Kawasakis, Hondas and Suzukis.

Giancarlo Falappa joined the Ducati team in 1990 after a year with Bimota where he finished 6th in the WSB series, scoring three wins. Known as the “Lion of Jesi” (pronounced “Lesi”) for his hometown, Falappa was a bold and charismatic rider, and 1992 would be his best year in WSBK.

Falappa won four of the 26 WSB races in 1992, in a fearsome riding style developed in motocross, where he got his start. Many of Falappa’s best performances can be seen on video, including leaning on Scott Russell in a corner towards the end of the first race at Spa as well as the close-run battle with future champion Carl Fogarty at Assen, which he followed with a wheelie victory lap.

Ducati 888 Corsa