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Ducati built its modern racing pedigree with the desmoquattro engine but long before it powered the 916 it was Marco Luccinelli and Raymond Roche on the blood red Ducati 888′s that fired up the fans and began what became the Ducati domination of the World Superbike championship. The 1993 Ducati 888SP5 was the final road going incarnation of the thinly disguised superbike and Visordown recently put it up against one of it’s Japanese rivals the Yamaha FZR705R (OW01).

The Yamaha looks like a Suzuka 8-hour endurance racer all purposeful and well built whereas 15 years on the Ducati looks simply stunning rather than dated, more visually interesting than the modern 1098/1198 superbikes but less pretty than the 916.

It was always a bit of a stunner but dated during the 916 years and became less loved and less impressive. Yet now it has made a remarkable return to its former beauty. As the1098 has adopted a sharper set of angles, the 916 is looking a little frumpy and unfashionable yet this immaculate SP5 number 186 is tiny, pretty and oozes designer class and racing pedigree.

The Ducati 916 had essentially a larger 888 engine so it is not surprising that the 888SP5 is competitive with the rev hungry Yamaha. These days we are used to twins being as fast as their multi cylinder competitors but back in 1993 twins simply weren’t supposed to go as fast as the Ducati did.

This motor, like the Japanese 4-cylinder rival doesn’t actually get into its stride until 7,000rpm but unlike the OW, it’s short, sharp and ready for the next gear by 10,000rpm. It’s hard to tell which is the faster – it might be the Yamaha but they are both deceptive. The insane fuss and noise of the FZR makes it seem quicker than it probably is and the opposite applies to the Italian. But in the cold light of real-world road riding, the Ducati will be long gone before the 750 is even near the power.

I do admit to liking the Yamaha and still recall how impossibly trick they seemed back in 1989, 20 years ago! However no other 4-valve Ducati engine sounds so basso profundo as the desmoquattro with twin carbon fiber termis and it is this sound that makes all the difference for me and it looks like Visordown agrees.

The effect that the SP5 experience has on the heart rate is hard to match. Not only does it make you feel special, it requires a level of concentration and input not normally associated with a V-twin, and with that comes the reward. It is impossible to not get a thrill from this particular Desmo experience, and realise how close you are to riding the all-conquering WSB assault vehicle. The Yamaha is special, but just can’t match the emotional overload that comes with riding a true legend.

link: Class of 93: Ducati 888 SP5 vs.Yamaha FZR750R OW01 – Visordown Road Tests

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