- 15 units, priced at 37,730 pounds (around 44,100 euros / 51,470 US dollars), sold by invitation only
- The base is the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP with 999cc and around 217 hp (160 kW)
- The package includes a signed KYT helmet and a handover on the Isle of Man with an optional lap of the Mountain Course
At the 2026 Isle of Man TT, John McGuinness raced in his 30th TT year with a special livery that reached all the way back to his debut in 1996. That race bike is now becoming a production model in very small numbers. Honda UK is building 15 road-legal replicas of the machine McGuinness rode in this year’s Senior TT. The official name is CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP JM 30th Anniversary.
What makes the McGuinness Fireblade a special model?
The special model is a faithful replica of McGuinness’s 2026 race bike, complemented by a numbered plaque and an extensive accessory package. Technically it remains the standard Fireblade SP.
Each of the 15 machines carries the full race replica livery in Honda Racing UK colours, along with John McGuinness Motorsport graphics on the side fairings. An individually numbered plaque sits on the headstock. Fitted from the factory are a tall screen, a seat cowl and an HRC oil filler cap from the Honda accessory range, plus a GB Racing engine cover set as well as a radiator guard, brake lever guard and stand bobbins from Evotech. The tyres come from Metzeler, with the standard tyres supplied as a spare set.
What technology is inside the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP?
The base is the 2026 model year Fireblade SP with a 999cc liquid-cooled inline-four. In the United Kingdom, Honda quotes 214 bhp, which converts to around 217 hp (160 kW).
The engine works with split throttle bodies, meaning two separately controlled units for mixture preparation. The basic form of the swingarm is derived from the RC213V-S, the road-legal offshoot of Honda’s MotoGP machine. The aerodynamics were developed by the HRC race department, and the exhaust is made of titanium and was designed together with Akrapovič.
On the electronics side, a six-axis measurement unit does the work. It records lean angle, acceleration and the bike’s rotational movements, providing the basis for cornering ABS, traction control and wheelie control. The suspension comes from Öhlins and is semi-active, so it adjusts damping on the move and can additionally be set electronically. The brakes are supplied by Brembo.
What else is included besides the motorcycle?
Alongside the machine, buyers receive a replica helmet signed by McGuinness, a paddock stand, a garage mat and a handover on the Isle of Man. Anyone who wants to can ride their first miles behind McGuinness on the TT course.
The helmet is a KYT KX-1 in the livery McGuinness wore during his anniversary year. It is supplied in the buyer’s chosen size and signed by him personally. Also included are a Gee-Tech rear paddock stand with an anniversary logo and a specially designed garage mat. The real heart of the offer, though, is the handover: Honda invites buyers to a gathering on the island. Those who wish can cover the first 37.75 miles (60.7 km) on their new bike there, in other words a complete lap of the Mountain Course, following McGuinness.
Where does the livery come from?
The colours go back to the Honda RS250 on which McGuinness contested his first TT in 1996. Back then it carried the colours of Paul Bird Motorsport.
Honda Racing UK revived the design for the 2026 season to mark the 30 years. That is why the Paul Bird Motorsport lettering appears on the tank, in honour of the long-time sponsor and friend of McGuinness. The green number board also stands out. It is not purely a styling element but picks up the marking used for the Lightweight class in 1996.
The road from 1996 to today
McGuinness came to the island in 1996 at the age of 24 and started in the Lightweight class under the Paul Bird Motorsport banner. He finished fifteenth, lapped at 109.57 mph (176.3 km/h) and was named fastest newcomer. Three years later came his first win, the Lightweight 250 TT on a Honda TSR250.
After the anniversary livery was presented in June, he looked back on those early days: “The first time I raced here I drove my own van, my RS250 was strapped down in the back next to half a Wickes kitchen and some jerry cans of diesel that I’d borrowed from Becky’s dad’s fishing boat.” And he added: “I came home with the fastest newcomer in the lightweight race and within two years I was riding for the factory Honda team.”
By 2019 he had collected 23 TT wins and 47 podium finishes, including seven victories in the Senior TT. That puts him third on the all-time winners list behind Michael and Joey Dunlop. In 2007 he became the first rider to break the 130 mph (209.2 km/h) lap average. In 2015, on the way to his 23rd win, he set a record of 132.701 mph (213.6 km/h).
How does this model differ from the 2022 special edition?
It is the second Fireblade Honda has built around McGuinness’s TT career. The first arrived in 2022 for his 100th TT start, was built 30 times and cost 30,000 pounds.
That model carried a livery with gold detailing and a film strip showing all of McGuinness’s TT starts on Honda machinery. At today’s exchange rate, the 30,000 pounds would equate to around 35,070 euros (40,920 US dollars). So the new model sits well above that, but is built only half as often and comes with the experience on the island.
On his connection to the model range, McGuinness said: “The stars aligned for me to be back on a Honda Fireblade for my 100th TT start. 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.”
Availability and open questions
Sales run strictly by invitation. A regular purchase through a dealer is not planned, as Honda UK explicitly states in its announcement. The manufacturer does not say what criteria will be used to select the 15 customers.
The project was announced through Honda UK. No allocation for other markets is mentioned in the statement. Nor does Honda name a delivery date, a weight or a torque figure for the special model. With a run of 15 motorcycles, however, the question of availability outside the United Kingdom is likely to remain theoretical for most interested parties anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does the McGuinness Fireblade cost?
The price is 37,730 pounds, which converts to around 44,100 euros (51,470 US dollars). That includes the accessory package, the signed helmet and the handover on the Isle of Man.
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How many units is Honda building?
Honda UK is building 15 units. They are not sold openly but allocated exclusively by invitation to selected customers.
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How much power does the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP JM 30th Anniversary have?
Honda quotes 214 bhp for the British specification, which equates to around 217 hp (160 kW). The engine is a 999cc liquid-cooled inline-four and is unchanged from the standard SP.
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What is the lap of the TT course about?
Buyers receive their motorcycle at a gathering on the Isle of Man and can then voluntarily ride a lap of the Mountain Course, following McGuinness. The circuit is 37.75 miles (60.7 km) long.
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Has there been a special model like this before?
Yes. In 2022 Honda built 30 units of the 100th TT Start Replica at a price of 30,000 pounds. It carried a livery with gold detailing and a film strip of all of McGuinness’s TT starts on Honda machinery.
➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: Isle of Man TT 2026: The Complete Overview – Schedule, Riders, Teams & Results. Find all key information on this topic in one place.
➜ You’ll find the full technical specifications for this model in our motorcycle database: Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP McGuinness 2026.
