Remember the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade with which James Toseland won his last World Championship in SBK in 2007? Well, lo and behold, it's looking for a new owner.
After keeping it for 17 years in his home, the British champion has decided to give a lucky buyer the more unique than rare opportunity to own a piece of Honda and World SBK history by selling the Ten Kate team's green-and-white CBR which he managed to get the better of Noriyuki Haga with by 2 points. This added him to a small circle of riders that were capable of winning with two different brands in the SBK premier class. A club that, along with Toseland, right now only counts Troy Corser and Toprak Razgatlioglu.
"In the contract with Ducati, I didn't have a clause to keep the bike I won the title with. But, with Ten Kate - seeing that we finished second in 2006 and in 2007, we were supposed to do even better - we had written in the contract that I would keep the bike if I won the championship, and here it is," Toseland explained, ready to hand over his beauty.
It's a unique heirloom that would make any collector envious, since it's not only a multi-winning bike with a 999 cc engine, but also one of the last SBK bikes without electronic aids, such as traction control and anti-wheelie device.
"It was an animal and, every time I saw the checkered flag in 2007, I was exhausted! You had to ride it well to be able to be fast and win. It was really demanding bu,t if you rode it the right way, it rewarded you with results," James recalled. "It was my pride and joy for seventeen years, and it holds some of the fondest memories of my racing career. She gave me a double victory at Brands Hatch on that memorable weekend, when 126,000 fans cheered her one-two. It was able to beat Troy Bayliss's factory Ducati at Phillip Island and Max Biaggi at Brno. Two of the greatest victories of my career I achieved that year riding this incredible bike."
So, ff you're still upset because Santa Claus didn't read your letter and didn't bring you what you wished for as a gift, this is your chance to make up for it. Assuming, of course, that your bank account allows for an investment of this magnitude.
The 2007 World Championship-winning Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade is on sale at The Bike Specialists dealership in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, for £149,999.00, about €180,894,00 at the current exchange rate. Shipping can be arranged both in the UK and worldwide and, to make the purchase even more memorable, Toseland himself has offered to autograph the bike and deliver it in person to its new owner.