Estimated Price: £50,000 - £60,000
- Built to demonstrate just what Honda could do if it wanted to, the RC51 VTR1000 SP-1 was a state-of-the-art racing motorcycle that wore its Honda Racing Corporation stickers with pride
- The RC45 replacement won the 2000 World Superbike Championship first time out with Colin Edwards
- This, factory kit example, frame number #YM900030, was one of two bikes purchased new by Paul Bird in order to compete in the 2000 BSB Championship
- Securing a sponsorship deal with Vimto, the bikes were famously painted in their bright purple corporate colours
- This example was originally the spare bike for James Toseland and, following James' testing accident at Cadwell Park, was raced by John McGuiness in the NW200 in preparation for the Isle of Man TT
- Team mates Joey Dunlop and John McGuiness were both outpaced at the NW200 by the Yamaha R1s and prompted Joey offering feedback to Honda
- This resulted in Honda shipping over for Joey's bike an Aaron Slight WSB engine and Showa suspension along with Simon Greer and two factory technicians for the TT
- Joey famously won the F1 event and finished third in the Senior
- John's bike remained in BSB trim, with its 'kit' engine, with John finishing third in the F1 event securing his first of many podium results
- The bikes were sold at the end of the 2000 season to Dennis Berwick who ran his son Peter Berwick and Jason Davies in BSB during 2001 and 2002
- Both bikes were purchased by a collector who kept them until 2014 when they were purchased by our vendor
- Neither bike has raced since 2002 but have run at selected events, so may require some recommissioning before use
- History file included with correspondence and other related paperwork
- Historically important TT and John McGuiness machine, never publicly offered for sale before
- Body Types
- Transmission
- Exterior ColourOTHER
- Interior Colour
