Icon Sheene tribute motorcycle
This stunning creation pays homage to Barry Sheene and is based around a blown 250hp Suzuki engine
The finishing touches have been made to the Icon Sheene, a very special motorcycle that pays tribute to the late great Barry Sheene.
This mind-bogglingly powerful motorcycle will be ridden by Barry's son, Freddie Sheene, at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, which runs between July 2-4.
It will also be raced (against the clock) by Freddie Spencer in the legendary hill climb event, where he will no doubt be hoping not to crash the £107,000 (A$185,000) machine.
Barry Sheene, the motorbike racing legend won two 500cc World Championships, did so riding Suzuki machinery and, as such, it was only fitting that the new "ultrabike" was powered by a highly-modified and turbocharged Suzuki (GSX1400) engine.
Output in the Icon Sheene rises to more than 250hp (roughly 184kW) at the rear wheel "in lowest boost mode" according to Icon. Gulp...
This 250hp low boost setting sees a "modest" 0.4 bar of boost exerted by the Garrett turbocharger. Meanwhile peak torque of 180Nm – which is transferred through a six-speed quick shift gearbox tuned to the customers wishes – should be enough to comfortably break the sound barrier.
A top speed of more than 320km/h (200mph) is being touted.
The hardcore motorcycle makes use of various light weight components, such as a hand-built aluminium Spondon frame and hand-laid carbon fibre bodywork.
Carbon fibre race wheels help reduce the Icon Sheene's unsprung weight and "state of the art" Bitubo front forks are joined by a fully adjustable Bitubo rear race shock.
The fuel tank features aircraft-derived quick-release fittings and is hand-crafted from aluminium and six-piston calipers clamp floating rotors made by Swedish company ISR. Pretty much everything that could be made from exotic materials, has been made from exotic materials.
Created with input from the Sheene family, just 52 examples of the Icon Sheene ultrabike will be produced, ensuring it's status as a rare and very collectible vehicle while paying homage to the number of years Barry walked the Earth.
The formidable motorcycle is also expected to snatch the title of the world's most powerful production motorcycle.
Check out IconSheene.com for more details.
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