A pair of Honda SP-1 superbikes ridden to huge success by teammates Joey Dunlop and John McGuinness are heading to auction this coming November.
Although no longer fitted with Aaron Slight’s World Superbike engine and suspension, or the iconic red bodywork, the Dunlop bike is in fact the very machine that won the 2000 Formula One TT race – Joey’s last big bike victory on the Isle of Man before his untimely death later that year.
McGuinness joined Dunlop on the podium in that race – with John’s bike wearing the original purple and red Vimto colours as seen here.
Both bikes were run under the Paul Bird Motorsport banner and were purchased new to compete in the 2000 British Superbike championship in the hands of James Toseland.
They were both subsequently raced at events including the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT and have been kept in the same collection since 2014.
Both machines will be offered by Iconic Auctioneers as part of their Iconic Motorcycle Sale, held at the NEC Classic Motor Show on Sunday, November 15 – with Dunlop’s bike expected to fetch £80,000-£100,000 and McGuinness’ machine set to go for £50,000-£60,000.
“They’ve been together in the same collection for a number of years,” Motorcycle Manager at Iconic, Mark Bryan told MCN. “They both would run but haven’t for a little while, so you’d want to recommission them first.”
Following their use in 2000, both machines continued to race through to 2002 – campaigned by Peter Berwick and Jason Davies in British Superbikes across 2001 and 2002.
“Joey had raced that bike as it is in the purple colours, it was just for that one race that they changed the colour to red,” he continued. “It’s the same frame and a few of the other components – but obviously the engine is not the same. It is a kit engine still though.
“It would be nice to see these bikes stay together, to be honest,” he admitted. “It would be a shame to split them, but I can’t promise that!”
Neither SP-1 has been offered for sale publicly before, with Joey’s machine now fitted with a Harris Performance replica factory rear swing-arm, and both machines sold with some historical paperwork.
They form part of a wider selection of TT and MotoGP machinery at the sale, which also includes bikes connected to Phillip McCallen and Guy Martin, plus a 2020 Aprilia RS-GP 20 Grand Prix bike offered directly by former factory MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaró.
Mike Hailwood’s 1966 350cc world championship-winning Honda RC173 will also be in the sale – expected to fetch a heady £750,000-£950,000. Visit iconicauctioneers.com for more.
If you are a collector fortunate enough to have the funds to be able to buy such bikes, these would make a great addition to any collection.
Dan is a fully-trained journalist, with a Gold Standard Level 3 Diploma from the National Council for the Training of Journalists. He has a passion for motorcycles of all capacities, but feels at home aboard a sportsbike. He's been working for MCN in print and digital for the best part of 10 years, with regular contributions to RiDE Magazine on the side.
News Editor, trackday fan, lover of 90s sportsbikes