Two Honda SP-1s closely associated with Joey Dunlop and John McGuinness will be offered at auction on Sunday, November 15. Iconic Auctioneers is putting them into its Iconic Motorcycle Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show. The pair have stayed together in the same collection since 2014 and have never previously been offered in a public sale.

The SP-1 behind Dunlop’s TT win

Dunlop’s motorcycle is the Honda he rode to victory in the 2000 Formula One TT, his final major big-bike win on the Isle of Man before his death later that year. McGuinness reached the podium in the same race on the other SP-1. Both machines were bought new for the 2000 British Superbike Championship and run under Paul Bird Motorsport, with James Toseland.

Their racing story continued beyond that season. The Hondas also appeared at events including the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT, remaining in competition through 2002. Peter Berwick and Jason Davies campaigned them in British Superbikes during 2001 and 2002, after which the two bikes continued together as part of the same collection.

Condition and the wider sale

The Dunlop bike carries an estimate of £80,000-£100,000, while the McGuinness machine is valued at £50,000-£60,000. Neither retains Aaron Slight’s World Superbike engine or suspension, and neither has its original red bodywork. Dunlop’s SP-1 has a Harris Performance replica of the factory rear swing-arm; its engine is not the original, although it remains a kit engine.

Iconic Auctioneers says both motorcycles run, but neither has been used for some time and both should be recommissioned before they return to use. Some historical paperwork will accompany the bikes. The sale will also include machinery linked to Phillip McCallen and Guy Martin, a 2020 Aprilia RS-GP 20 offered directly by former factory MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaró, and Mike Hailwood’s 1966 Honda RC173. Hailwood won the 350 cc World Championship on the RC173, which carries an estimate of £750,000-£950,000.