Two Joey Dunlop Honda race bikes sell for £224,250

Two race-winning Joey Dunlop Honda V4 bikes have fetched a total of £224,250 after going under the hammer on 12 October as part of an auction held by Bonhams Cars. 

The bikes were a Honda VFR750R RC30, which Dunlop took to victory during the Formula 1 and Senior TT races at the Isle of Man in 1988, and a Honda RVF750 RC45. The latter was ridden to victory by Dunlop during the 1999 Ulster Grand Prix.

Both motorcycles were expected to sell for at least £80,000 during the auction, and it was the VFR750R RC30 which brought home the biggest figure of the two. The bike sold for a huge £132,250, while the RVF750 RC45 ultimately sold for £92,000.

The VFR750R RC30 Dunlop Honda formerly held the outright TT lap record after setting an average speed of 118.54mph. It has been preserved by the Dunlop family since Joey’s passing in July, 2000. 

However, the bike has been used for special occasions only, including the Classic TT paddock display that celebrated 30 years of the RC30, and more recently the ‘Joey 25’ celebration of his life.

Dunlop remained the most successful TT racer from his death on 2 July 2000 until 2024, when his nephew Michael Dunlop surpassed his tally of 26 wins. Michael has continued to add to his tally since then and currently sits with 33 victories to his name at the legendary event.

The 1999 RVF750 RC45 was one of the last motorcycles Dunlop raced with before his death and is a genuine HRC works bike. The bike features an unstamped factory race frame and engine.

Images - Bonhams

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