The ex-Robert Dunlop, Isle of Man TT-winning, c.1988 Honda RS125 Racing Motorcycle

Frame no. RS125RF 88 10441 Engine no. RE88 10451

• Winner of the 1989 IoM TT Ultra-Lightweight Race
• Present ownership since 2010
• Not used since acquisition
• Offered from an extensive private collection

Sadly, Ireland lost another of its great road-racing heroes in 2008 when Robert Dunlop, brother of the late Joey, succumbed to injuries sustained in practising for the North West 200. Born on 25th November 1960, Robert Dunlop learned his craft on short circuits before making his road-racing debut in 1979. He celebrated his first visit to road-racing's Isle of Man capital in 1983 with a win in the Manx Grand Prix Newcomers' Race and scored his first TT win in 1989 in the 125cc event riding the machine offered here. For the next few years Robert Dunlop owned the 125 TT, winning in 1990 and 1991 to cement his reputation as one of the finest riders the Ultra Lightweight class has ever seen. He also won the Junior TT in 1991.

In 1994 Robert sustained serious leg injuries in the Isle of Man during practice for the TT when the rear wheel of his Honda RC45 collapsed. The legacy of his injuries would restrict Robert to mostly riding 125s from then onwards. In 1997 he returned to the TT, finishing 3rd in the Ultra Lightweight race and the following year scored a fairytale win in the same event, which would be the last of his five TT victories.

Robert's fatal accident occurred on 15th May 2008 when the engine of his 250 Honda seized and he was thrown from the machine. His sons William and Michael Dunlop were both racing at the North West and the following day Michael scored an emotional win in the 250 race.

The Honda RS125 we offer was purchased for Robert Dunlop by his sponsor, Andy McMenemy, having previously been raced by Phil McCallen. It was on this machine that Robert made his Isle of Man TT debut in 1989 in the Ultra Lightweight race. Robert broke Bill Ivy's old lap record on his standing start lap and on his final tour circulated at an average speed of 103.02mph to win by 15.8 seconds from Ian Lougher.

The current vendor purchased this ex-Robert Dunlop Honda at Bonhams' Stafford sale in October 2010 (Lot 351). The machine had been offered for sale by a private collector, its owner since 1990, and has been kept as part of the vendor's extensive private collection for the last 12 years. The machine has not been run since purchase and will require thorough re-commissioning should the fortunate next owner wish to return it to the racetrack.
Offered without key