Ducati 888 - SP4 vs. SP5?

spence · 02 Feb 07, 04:33 PM

What do you guys think of the SP4 vs. the SP5? I know the forks are Showa as apposed to Ohlins but by and large they look the same... 'Ish.

What will a SP4 give me that the Sp5 wont? I've been told the SP4 is a little more 'raw'. I like raw, but surely the Sp5 is no pussy cat...

Cheers for your expert opinions, you have the bikes after all.

James · 02 Feb 07, 07:12 PM

Spence, I got my SP4 just before Chrimbo and I think, on the evidence so far, the 'S' in SP4 should stand for sushi... it's so raw..!!!

Go for the 4 as it's the most powerful... grrr.!!

beancounter · 02 Feb 07, 07:27 PM

To be honest it really doesn't matter.

Both are fabulous.

You'll be lucky to find a 5 though.

If you can find a 4, buy it. 3's are also good!

bc

spence · 02 Feb 07, 08:57 PM

Hmmm, that's the thing Beancounter, I've been told of a SP5, needs a little TLC and I wondered if it's worth the effort over a 4.

It's raw I'm after really though so I wondered if a '5' has a little less edge, if it was a bit civilized. I wan't a bit of an animal if the truth be told.

Need to find someone with a '4', I've seen one but at £9.2K with 23k miles it seems a bit steep.

Any one know where one is on the market?

Cheers for the help lads.

weeveetwin · 02 Feb 07, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spence

Hmmm, that's the thing Beancounter, I've been told of a SP5, needs a little TLC and I wondered if it's worth the effort over a 4.

It's raw I'm after really though so I wondered if a '5' has a little less edge, if it was a bit civilized. I wan't a bit of an animal if the truth be told.

Need to find someone with a '4', I've seen one but at £9.2K with 23k miles it seems a bit steep.

Any one know where one is on the market?

Cheers for the help lads.

Hi Spence

The SP5 has the SP4S engine - which is claimed to be in a higher state of tune than the SP4. Its engine is a little more 'peaky' by all accounts, so it makes its max. power a little higher in the rev range. However - and this is the main reason I'd go for the SP4 - the SP5 is fitted with the same crankshaft bearings as the SP4S (which supposedly cut frictional losses, at the expense of a shorter lifespan).

These bearings are not as strong as those fitted to the Strada/SP2/3 & 4. They were, in fact, used merely to give the engine the edge in competition, and as such were meant to be replaced after every few races. Owners of the SP5 are generally advised to fit Strada bearings during any engine rebuild.

The Showa forks used on the SP5 don't match the Ohlins of the SP4. And whilst some assert that these particular Showas are 'special' in some way, others (who have stripped them down to the last shim) say they're identical to those on the Strada. I personally have no intimate knowledge of the fork internals. I'm merely passing on what I have read/learned over the years.

The SP4 is, to my mind, the most iconic of the series. Full Ohlins, white frame, black wheels and the most 'in your face' graphics you'll ever see on a bike. Ride one of these and you'll be NOTICED!

Steve

ps. I've no doubt Jasper will be along soon to fight the SP5's corner!

spence · 02 Feb 07, 09:59 PM

Having looked at many of the pics to compare, I do seem to be leaning toward the SP4, although there aren't many of either around. :-(

I would never normaly be a fan of the white frame but it does sort of mark it out doesn't it.

I have a '97 916 SPS and I do like the fact that it is pretty hard edged and 'rough', I've got the car for soft and sqidgy. Lol. Or the Gixer. ;-)

nogaromill999 · 03 Feb 07, 07:41 AM

Then again, the SP2 was the last of the SP's ACTUALLY built in the race shop........

weeveetwin · 03 Feb 07, 08:47 AM

With regard to the feel of each bike: The late model Strada (and the SP5) used the P8 injection computer - the others' were P7 - and it is this, more than anything, which smoothed the power delivery on these bikes relative to the earlier machines.

The SP2 was the first, and therefore the least 'developed' with regard to its fuelling - so if you're looking for 'purity/rawness' in your 888, then that's probably the one to buy.

Steve

beancounter · 03 Feb 07, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spence

Hmmm, that's the thing Beancounter, I've been told of a SP5, needs a little TLC and I wondered if it's worth the effort over a 4.

It's raw I'm after really though so I wondered if a '5' has a little less edge, if it was a bit civilized. I wan't a bit of an animal if the truth be told.

Need to find someone with a '4', I've seen one but at £9.2K with 23k miles it seems a bit steep.

Any one know where one is on the market?

Cheers for the help lads.

Spence, over £9k for over 23k miles is a p1ss take. £7 to £8k should get you a low mileage minter.

I don't know of any around at the moment (unless my back carries on playing up).

If you decide not to go for the 5 perhaps you could pass on the details.

bc

spence · 05 Feb 07, 10:51 AM

Bean,

I'll be sure to let you know if I decide to let it go.

Cheers for all you help lads. A veritable mine of knowledge.

Imola Duke · 05 Feb 07, 07:58 PM

Hi All,
Spotted this SP5 on Fleabay . ££££££££££ 10k

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DUCATI-888-SP5...QQcmdZViewItem

nogaromill999 · 06 Feb 07, 07:07 PM

Silly money tho........

weeveetwin · 06 Feb 07, 09:09 PM

Ducati dad found this one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/131911.htm

(check out their RC30 & OW01 too!)

spence · 17 Feb 07, 11:38 PM

I think both of these are daft money. I just don't think they are worth that much.

Mr.R · 18 Feb 07, 12:53 AM

James said...
Go for the 4 as it's the most powerful... grrr.!![/quote]

Hi,
And oh no it isn't!
The sp5 has a motor in the same state of tune as the sp4s, but with a stronger bottom end. However it was slightly heavier..but should still kick an sp4's arse!
The sp4 was based on the "92 851 strada.
The 4 had Ohlins front forks, the 5 had Showa's, i doubt anyone here could find the difference!
Anyway you would need to have either set up to suit your weight/rideing style by Maxton etc. So the only advantage of the Ohlins would be the bling factor/bragging rights at the bar.
I would still like a set of early 'Ohlins' but it would be just for the period look! For my 851/916sp special.
I personally think the sp4/sp4s is the most beautiful bike that Ducati ever built, short of the roundcase 750ss or the early 900ss bevels.I own a 900ss bevel.
However as i said before the sp5 kicks arse!
It would easily blow away a 916 or even a 996 strada.
Engine wise it was better than the 888sps, due to the stronger bottom end. The 888sps had early 851 corsa c/cases but the sp5 had later/stronger sp5 c/cases intended for the works 926 WSB racers. For homolagation perposes.
They have different part numbers.
Either of these models would out perform the sp4, as they were based on the "91 Corsa motor with only a change of two cams!
They won WSB rounds and if my memories correct the World Superbike championship.

Steve