Estimated Price: £4,000 - £6,000

• The Honda XR250 was selected for use by 22 SAS as a lightweight and capable off-road motorcycle, offering greater suitability for specialist mobility operations than the motorcycles then in regular Army service
• The Regiment's initial XR250s were acquired in preparation for operations following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Adapted with long-range fuel tanks and rear racks, they were hastily finished in desert camouflage before deployment
• Photographs of Honda motorcycles being used during the subsequent Gulf War appear in General Sir Peter de la Billière's Storm Command, including images of the machines operating in the Iraqi desert
• Following this operational experience, 22 SAS subsequently acquired a larger fleet of XR250s. This motorcycle has been verified as an original-issue 22 SAS Mobility Troop machine from that later batch
• A distinguishing feature of these later motorcycles is the addition of welded bosses to the rear swinging arm, designed to accept passenger footrests when circumstances required a second soldier to be carried. These mounting points remain present on this example
• Following its disposal by the military, the motorcycle was purchased at auction by a Hereford military contractor and taken to Lucas of Ross-on-Wye, described as the service agent responsible for the Regiment's Mobility Troop motorcycles at the time
• It subsequently received its first MOT as part of the process of registering the motorcycle for civilian road use. Importantly, we understand that it has not subsequently been ridden in civilian use, instead passing directly into a private Collection where it has remained
• Supplied originally by Honda Stafford and retaining the purposeful specification associated with its former military role, this is a fascinating and highly unusual piece of British special forces motoring history