North West 200-winning XR69 up for grabs | GRR
With the property and precious commodity markets in turmoil, there is perhaps no better time to invest in classic vehicles. And for the space-squeezed and speed-starved among us, motorcycles represent the very best in automotive investments.
And one of the coolest classic motorcycles on the market right now is this highly original and period-correct factory Suzuki XR69, as owned and raced by the legendary Mick Grant, seven-time winner of Isle of Man TT. Also among his extensive accolades, the Englishman counts the first-ever 120mph lap of the challenging 8.970-mile North West 200 circuit, in 1975, three GP race wins, and a win at our very own Revival back in 2013.
The bike itself, an ex-works Heron race 1982 model, boasts almost as impressive a history, which includes a win at the North West 200 in its inaugural season, second places at the Isle of Man TT and Macau GP, and a lap record at Donington .
Offered online by Car & Classic in an auction that runs from 20th-26th June, the period correct example has been owned by Grant himself for over 35 years – ever since it was gifted by the manufacturer to the then-retiring racer in 1985. Impressively, it retains every magnesium or titanium ‘nut, bolt and washer’ since then and is in exactly the same specification as its last race, with its dry clutch, rare triple barrel magnesium carburettors, hand-finished billet forks and twin spark plugs, not to mention the battle-scarred Heron Suzuki livery.
What’s more, it’s is one of only six genuine 130PS (96kW) XR69s ever produced, and one of just three known to still exist. Since receiving the XR69, Grant has demonstrated it at Spa and won a race on it in the South Africa Classic TT, before it was consigned to the Isle of Man motorcycle museum.
To those familiar with this era of racing, Suzuki’s XR69 needs little introduction. To those not, let me explain. Debuting in 1980, it immediately made a mark on the road and circuit racing scenes, surpassing even Honda’s late, great CB900. Its 130PS four-stroke, four-cylinder, air-cooled engine was derived from the road-going GS1000, and sat inside a steel tube frame, with GP spec rear suspension and forks. Nowadays, XR69s in any spec are as rare as hen’s teeth, and a replica of a Mick Grant model is already listed online for a not-insignificant £28,500. This one owner bike is expected to sell for more than three times that, and if the estimated price of £90,000 is achieved, Mick Grant may even sign the tanks and include a set of his leathers, alongside the small cache of spares he has collected for the machine over the years.
“This XR69 is still a lovely machine and has been well maintained to enable me to continue to enjoy it on track,” Grant commented. “Every nut, bolt and washer is as it was in 1985, meaning it is highly original. That’s very rare for a race ‘bike that usually end up evolving over time, losing their special parts and patina.
“It still feels as fresh as when I was racing it. On this bike I had lap records and second places in the Isle of Man. I won the North West 200 on it, set the lap record Donington Park and came second in the Macau GP. A lot of great memories but it’s time for someone else to enjoy it.”
Along with its impressive provenance and documented history, the 1,000cc machine is also immortalised in the 1982 Shell film You're on Your Own – From Bray to Governor's.
Chris Pollitt, head of editorial at Car & Classic added: “This is an incredible machine and we are so proud to offer such a piece of history owned by one of the most likable and respected people in the world of motorbikes.
“Hugely original and with unquestionable providence, we are sure that demand will be strong to acquire this very, very special motorcycle.”
Images courtesy of Car & Classic.