2000 Honda 999cc VTR1000 SP-1

• Produced for two years only
• Nicely presented in age-related condition
• 13,605 miles

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". Although the SP-1 was produced for only two years before being superseded by the SP-2, its importance to Honda cannot be overstated.

Our vendor purchased this SP-1 from Racing & Investment Motorcycles in May 2021 (receipt on file). Nicely presented in age-related condition, the Honda was first registered on 22nd August 2000 and has had five former keepers. There is service history on file in the form of bills dating from 2010 and 2019 (the latter at 13,385 miles) and the machine also comes with sundry bills for parts and a quantity of expired MoTs dating back to 2005, the most recent of which was issued on 19th March 2020 at 13,605 miles (the odometer displaying the same mileage today). It should be noted that both the HPI report and V5C document record the frame number as 'JN2S045A0YM005719' rather than 'JH2SC45A0YM005719' - clearly a typographical error, and list the engine number as 'Not Known'. Following a period of inactivity, the machine will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent and is therefore sold strictly as viewed.
Offered with key