James May’s 2013 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade Repsol Edition is being offered in a seven-day online auction hosted by Collecting Cars. The sale began on October 27 and is due to close on November 3 at 7:32pm. At the time of listing, the motorcycle had attracted well over 2,000 views, with nine bids taking the leading offer to £3,000. The auction is being handled by the Fulham-based company, which has previously sold vehicles for May.

The Fireblade’s odometer shows 5,844 miles, while its orange Repsol finish remains the most immediately distinctive part of the bike. May has described the colour as having faded slightly but uniformly. The machine uses a 998cc inline-four engine producing 178bhp and 85lb.ft of torque, and is equipped with Tokico brakes, adjustable Showa forks, a pillion seat and passenger footrests.

Documented history and condition

The sale includes a full service book, the owner’s handbook and V5C documentation. The most recent official service was carried out in 2019, when the bike had covered 5,500 miles. May has also undertaken minor maintenance himself and owned the Honda for seven years. Collecting Cars has indicated that he is parting with the Fireblade because he no longer gets enough use from it.

James Arman, a senior consignment specialist at Collecting Cars, described May’s former vehicles as honest, well-maintained examples that are used as intended and appeal to enthusiasts. He also expects the Fireblade’s celebrity ownership history to attract considerable interest. That provenance is part of the appeal, but the motorcycle’s documented mileage and service paperwork give potential buyers more to assess than the previous owner’s name alone.

The buyer and seller will be introduced by email after the auction, then arrange payment and collection directly between themselves. The winning bidder may also have the opportunity to meet May when collecting the motorcycle. There is no estimated sale price supplied for the Fireblade, but May’s 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP sold in 2023 for £16,000 after covering only 489 miles. That earlier result is a separate sale rather than a forecast for this older machine. Collecting Cars is also offering May’s Triumph Stag, associated with the final Grand Tour, and that auction had reached £25,250 after 45 bids at the time of listing.