Honda superbike owned by James May sells for eye-watering price at auction

A CRAZY low-mileage Honda superbike owned by the Grand Tour’s James May has been sold for an eye-watering price at auction.

The 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, with only 489 miles on the clock, has gone under the hammer for a staggering £16,000.

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Constructed around a lightweight twin-spar aluminium chassis, the Fireblade SP was developed as a circuit machine, but is fully road legal with lights, indicators and Honda Smart Key. 

Mr May claims that the bike has been “nicely run in” – and is now for sale in showroom quality condition.

It won’t be for the faint-hearted though; the Fireblade SP is powered by a 1,000cc engine that produces up to 214bhp.

Collecting Cars, which handled the sale, explained: “This version of the Fireblade also features the protruding MotoGP-inspired ‘winglets’ to generate downforce. 

“The oil and water-cooling systems were improved, and the air intakes and throttle bodies were increased to a 52mm diameter. New oval exhaust headers lead to a standard-fit titanium Akrapovič exhaust. 

“Specific to the ‘SP’ model over the standard Fireblade is the Öhlins suspension setup, fully adjustable NPX Smart EC 2.0 forks, and a TTX rear shock absorber.

“The SP also includes a Brembo master cylinder, brake lever, two-piston rear calliper, and lightweight Brembo Stylema four-piston front callipers.”

The stunning bike remains in unmodified condition, while it probably hasn’t been ridden too fast considering Mr May’s ‘Captain Slow’ nickname – given to him by co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond during his Top Gear days.

This comes after a very rare Aston Martin similar to the one driven by James Bond was gone up for auction for an eye-watering price.

Plus, a classic Ford Escort RS Cosworth that enthusiasts thought to be lost for the past 31 years has been rediscovered and is also going under the hammer for a huge sum.

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