2000 Honda 999cc SP-1

Registration no. W474 UUJ Frame no. JH2SC45A8YM002907 Engine no. SC45E-2003279

• Limited edition 'homologation special'
• Good service history
• Present ownership since 2019
• Unused since acquisition

Faced with Ducati v-twin-mounted Carl Fogarty's domination of the World Superbike Championship, Honda responded with a v-twin of its own - the VTR1000 - which would form the basis of a new WSBK contender - the SP-1, also known as the RC51. Like the all-conquering Ducatis, the SP-1's engine was a 1,000cc 90-degree v-twin, but unlike the Ducati, which used a tubular steel trellis frame, the Honda employed the industry-standard aluminium beam type, complemented by suspension components of the very highest quality. In the capable hands of 'Texas Tornado', Colin Edwards, the SP-1 achieved its goal first time out, winning the World Superbike crown in 2000 to bring Honda its first Championship victory since 1997.

As well as the WSBK Championship's short circuits, the SP-1 proved capable of mastering true road courses in the hands of Isle of Man TT maestro, Joey Dunlop. Fitted with a WSBK-specification engine and swinging arm, the SP-1 gave Joey his 24th TT win (in the 2000 F1 race) a victory in difficult road and weather conditions that the modest Irishman later declared, 'was probably one of my best wins.' There would be two further TT victories that week, bringing Joey's total to a seemingly unassailable 26, before he was tragically killed at a relatively insignificant meeting in Tallin, Estonia a few weeks later. To commemorate Joey's achievements, Honda dealer Tippetts Motors of Surbiton, Surrey commissioned a limited edition of 26 SP-1s to commemorate the great man and celebrate his 26 TT victories. Although the SP-1 was produced for only two years before being superseded by the SP-2, its importance to Honda cannot be overstated.

Supplied new by David Jones, Newtown and first registered on 4th July 2000, this rare and collectible Honda SP-1 was purchased by the current vendor on 2nd July 2019 at circa 26,000 miles. He rode it home and since then has done nothing with the machine, which was last started approximately two years ago. The Honda should require only minimal re-commissioning before further use. Accompanying documentation includes the original service booklet (regularly stamped up to 2017); a quantity of expired MoTs; sundry bills; and a V5C Registration Certificate.
Offered with key