Pair of Joey Dunlop, John McGuinness Vimto Honda TT bikes head to auction

Two of the TT’s most recognised names Joey Dunlop and John McGuinness rode Vimto-inspired Honda SP-1 motorcycles in 2000, both of which are now expected to fetch huge sums at a UK auction this winter.

Both race bikes will go under the hammer as part of the Iconic Motorcycle Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2026, which takes place on Sunday, November 15.

The Dunlop edition is expected to command a price between £80,000 to £100,000, while the McGuinness model is estimated to sell for around £50,000 to £60,000.

The bike was raced to victory by Dunlop in the 2000 TT F1 event, while the 26-time TT winner also claimed P3 in the Senior race.

The ex-Paul Bird run Vimto Honda SP-1s has never been offered for sale previously, giving collectors a rare opportunity to own a TT-winning motorcycle.

The model raced by Dunlop was James Toseland’s bike for that season, but following his BSB injury during testing at Cadwell Park, Dunlop then raced the bike in various warm-up races for the Isle of Man TT.

Dunlop secured a second-place finish at Cookstown, before qualifying the SP-1 on pole at the North West 200.

Both Dunlop and McGuinness struggled against the formidable Yamaha R1 at the NW200, though, which later resulted in Honda shipping over an Aaron Slight World Superbike engine and Showa suspension set-up for the TT.

Following the 2000 TT, Dunlop’s factory-spec machine was returned to BSB trim, meaning the Aaron Slight engine and most of the suspension was removed, along with the red Vimto bodywork.

Both machines were sold at the end of the 2000 season to Dennis Berwick, who fielded his son Peter Berwick and Jason Davies in the British Superbike Championship in 2001 and 2002.

The bikes were then purchased by a collector and kept until 2014 before they were bought by a vendor. 

Neither bike has been raced since the 2002 season, although they have been run at selected events during the last 24 years. Both motorcycles will go under the hammer on behalf of Iconic Auctioneers.

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