Switch Blade: Honda release £30k limited edition McGuinness 100th TT start replica Fireblade SP

‘Who do you think you are, John McGuinness?’ Well now you really can live out your TT fantasies, as Honda reveal they will build 30 examples of this CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP John McGuinness 100th TT Start Replica edition in celebration of the road-racing legend’s phenomenal accomplishments on the island.

The headline visual difference from the stock bike is the bold replica of the paintjob John raced with for his 100th TT start. But this is more than just a replica paintjob, there’s a whole host of other upgrades to add to the exclusivity.

“The stars aligned for me to be back on a Honda Fireblade for my 100th TT start,” says McGuinness. “It’s an awesome bike and has meant so much to me over my career. I’m proud of my connection with its place in TT history and of this, my replica.”

John McGuinness is the second most successful TT racer of all time, next to the late, great Joey Dunlop, an while revered as road-racing legend, he has also had an exceptional short circuit career, having raced in 24-hour World Endurance races like the Bol d’Or and Le Mans, 500cc GPs and the Daytona 200.

He’s a former British 250cc Champion, has ridden in World Supersport and finished third in the 2009 British Superstock Championship.

Making his TT debut in 1996, he won the best newcomer title in the 250cc class. Three years later, he took his first win, the 250cc Lightweight TT. Over the ensuing two decades (1999-2019) he has accumulated an incredible 47 podiums and 23 TT wins, as well as being the first to break the 130mph lap barrier – on a Honda Fireblade, no less.

So, what do you get for your £30,000? In addition to the already high spec of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP which underpins the replica, the limited-edition Blade gets a full replica paintjob incorporating gold detailing and a film strip showing all of John’s TT starts on Hondas (unsurprisingly, this is where it deviates from his actual race bike, which also pictured his TTs on other manufacturers’ bikes) and 100th start sponsor logos.

There are gold wheel stripes; an individually numbered plaque on the headstock; genuine Honda carbon fibre front mudguard and carbon rear hugger; a rear seat cowl and tall screen, and Metzeler Racetec RR tyres.

On start-up there’s a ‘Ring of Fire’ screen animation as the display loads, and 30th Anniversary logos on the Smart Key and laser-engraved on the Akrapovic muffler, marking the machine’s special place in Honda history.

And to cap it all, there’s John’s signature on the airbox cover. Honda are even offering the opportunity for a personal handover from John McGuinness MBE himself, at Honda Racing UK in Louth.

If that’s not enough, you’ll also get a custom Fireblade garage mat, Genuine Honda Accessories indoor bike cover, 3D laser-engraved crystal featuring a design of the John McGuinness 100th Start replica.

All enquires and orders for the John McGuinness CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP 100th Start replica are to be via the Honda dealer network – and if you want to see one in the flesh, it will be on display on the Honda stand throughout Motorcycle Live at the NEC from November 19-27.