DUCATI 851 Strada (1988-1989) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Ducati 851 was a liquid-cooled V-twin-powered fully faired motorcycle manufactured by Ducati for six years, from 1987 to 1992. The bike was the successor to the Ducati 750 F1 until it was succeeded by the Ducati 888.

In 1988, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati 851, a sports machine that started the modern era for Ducati. The bike was based on the Pantah engine but featured liquid cooling, fuel injection, and desmodromic four-valve heads, which made the bike competitive again.

In the visual department, the Ducati 851 packed standard features, such as a full fairing with a medium-sized windscreen, a rectangular headlight, a single seat with lumbar support, a dual exhaust system with a muffler on each side, and three-spoke lightweight wheels.

In the suspension department, the 1988 Ducati 851 packed a rebound and compression-adjustable USD Marzocchi fork on the front and a rebound and damping-adjustable Marzocchi Supermoto shock absorber on the rear, with excellent handling capabilities.

The bike braking power was achieved by two 280 mm discs coupled to a pair of four-piston calipers on the front wheel and a 260 mm disc squeezed by a dual-piston caliper on the rear wheel, providing excellent stopping power.

As for the power figures, the 1988 Ducati 851 Strada had its heartbeat set by an 851cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin engine fed by a fuel injection system, delivering 109 hp at 10,000 rpm and 72 Nm (53 lb-ft) torque at 7,250 rpm.