Two of Joey Dunlop’s most treasured Honda V4 race bikes are about to go under the hammer this October. Could these iconic machines, kept safe by his family, now find new homes?
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The legendary duo, a 1988 Isle of Man TT-winning RC30 and a 1999 Ulster GP-winning RC45; headline Bonhams’ Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show auction. For collectors and fans worldwide, this might the unrepeatable moment they are waiting for. Curious to know why? Read on below.
Joey Dunlop’s Legendary Honda V4 Race Bikes Set For Auction
Joey Dunlop’s RC30 and RC45 aren’t just motorcycles, they’re milestones of road racing. Preserved by his family, these machines carry his triumphs and will soon make history at Bonhams’ auction.
The RC30 marked Joey’s TT dominance in 1988, while the RC45 delivered Ulster GP glory in 1999. Together, they stand as bookends to a racing career still unmatched.
Collectors value more than speed here; these Hondas remain unrestored, wearing genuine race scars. Authenticity, heritage, and emotional legacy make them priceless beyond the auction’s estimated £80,000 to £100,000 each.
When the hammer drops in Stafford, bidders chase more than metal. They seek ownership of history, carrying Joey Dunlop’s immortal spirit of courage, humility, and racing greatness into the future.
Auction That Grabs Global Attention
On 12 October 2025, Bonhams will open the gavel on over 200 classic motorcycles at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in Staffordshire. More than 60 lots will be offered without reserve. But the clear highlights are two motorcycles unlike any others – Joey Dunlop’s Honda RC30 and RC45, both genuine race winners with unforgettable stories.
These bikes come directly from the Dunlop family collection. For decades, they were displayed at Joey’s Bar in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, serving as living tributes to his racing greatness. They were only brought out on rare occasions, including earlier this year during the 25th anniversary celebrations of Joey’s life.
Why This Sale Is Extraordinary?
Bonhams motorcycles consultant and columnist Dave Hancock sums it up perfectly: “Selling one of these bikes is extraordinary. Selling both together is a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
The RC30 and RC45 do more than symbolize speed and engineering, they represent the bookends of Joey Dunlop’s final racing chapter. The RC30 was the machine that delivered his Formula 1 and Senior TT triumphs in 1988, while the RC45 carried him to Ulster GP glory in 1999 and was still under him during his very last competitive year in 2000.
For fans and collectors worldwide, these machines offer something beyond money: authentic road-racing history in metal form.
The Man Behind Machines
Few names in motorsport resonate like William Joseph “Joey” Dunlop. Nicknamed the “King of the Roads,” Joey’s career spanned three decades of relentless dominance.
- 26 Isle of Man TT victories – a record still unbroken.
- Five straight Formula One TT world titles in the late 1980s.
- Multiple wins at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.
- Honored with both the MBE and OBE for his services to motorcycling and charity.
What set Joey apart was not just speed, but humility. He combined factory-level skill with down-to-earth humanity, becoming a global folk hero. These two Hondas embody that story.
The Motorcycles in Focus
1988 Honda RC30 – TT Conqueror
The RC30, officially the VFR750R, was built as a homologation racer in the late 1980s. With a 748cc gear-driven cam V4 engine, it produced around 118 horsepower. Joey piloted it to victory in both the Formula 1 TT and the Senior TT in 1988 – cementing the RC30 as a TT icon.
- Key Facts –
- Lightweight 180 kg chassis with single-sided swingarm.
- Top speed: ~153 mph.
- Won Joey a TT double in 1988.
- Once held the TT lap record at 118.54 mph.
1999 Honda RC45 – Ulster GP Hero
The RC45, or RVF750R, was Honda’s evolution of the RC30. With fuel injection and advanced racing parts, it carried a 749cc V4 producing nearly 119 horsepower.
Joey used this very machine to claim the Ulster Grand Prix win in 1999. More poignantly, this bike was among those he rode in 2000 at the Tallinn Grand Prix in Estonia, the meeting where he tragically lost his life.
- Key Facts –
- Refined 189 kg chassis, HRC factory-built.
- Top speed: ~160 mph.
- Limited production, ultra-rare factory racing spec.
- Still retains original HRC frame and engine.
Why Collectors Will Pay Big?
Both motorcycles carry auction estimates of £80,000 to £100,000 each. But for passionate collectors, price is not the main draw. These Hondas have never been restored, they wear their racing scars and patina as proof of authenticity.
Each carries a direct link to Joey Dunlop’s story –
- The RC30 captures his late-80s domination.
- The RC45 marks his final triumphs before his untimely passing.
For collectors, they represent a pair of bookends to a legendary career, impossible to replicate.
Technical Comparison
| Detail | Honda RC30 (1988) | Honda RC45 (1999) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 748cc liquid-cooled V4, gear-driven cams | 749cc liquid-cooled V4, fuel-injected |
| Power Output | ~118 hp @ 11,000 rpm | ~119 hp @ 12,000 rpm |
| Top Speed | ~153 mph (246 km/h) | ~160 mph (258 km/h) |
| Dry Weight | ~180 kg (400 lb) | ~189 kg (417 lb) |
| Joey’s Race Wins | 1988 Formula 1 & Senior TT | 1999 Ulster GP |
| Special Note | Held TT lap record at 118.54 mph | Genuine HRC factory race bike |
Joey Dunlop’s Racing Legacy Goes Under Hammer in Stafford
On 12 October at Stafford, the hammer will fall on more than just two motorcycles; it will fall on decades of memory, triumph, and legacy. For whoever secures the RC30 and RC45, ownership will mean more than collecting bikes. It will mean holding in their garage a living, roaring piece of Joey Dunlop’s immortal road-racing story.
