The 8 Best Ducati Motorcycles Ever Made

The eighties were a time of big changes for motorcycles. While some bikes grew larger into giant, car-like touring machines, others took on characteristics of GP racers for the street. While Suzuki’s GSXR was hailed as the first superbike, Ducati’s 851 could be said to have taken the superbike formula and perfected it. Unlike the Japanese competition, Ducati stuck with a twin-cylinder engine, using its signature L-twin design for its first genuine superbike. However, this would be Ducati’s first water-cooled version, its first 4-valve head, and its first fuel-injected motorcycle, a rarity for 1987 (via Bike Social).

Cagiva’s purchase of Ducati in 1985 led to a huge influence on the brand toward performance motorcycles. Using its expertise in building winning race bikes, Ducati built the 851. In turn, Cagiva equipped its bikes with the ingenious Desmo L-head Ducati engines (via Classic Motorbikes). The result is this ultimately desirable Italian superbike with 104 horsepower and stunning good looks. The good news for modern riders is that, while many classic superbikes have risen in value to obscene levels, an 851 can still be had for a reasonable price, as one sold recently on Bring A Trailer for under $15,000.