1994 Harley Davidson VR 1000 #20 being offered at $55,000.00
Ultra rare is the only wat to describe the VR1000 when they come up for sale. This one is located Viola, WI and has both the OEM bodywork and a set of race bodywork that is currently on the bike. The first two pictures below are of the actual bike for sale, but the last two are pictures that I found just to show how it looks with the OEM bodywork on it. I’ve had the opportunity to view a race version and a street version up close and personal and I must say that it is unique in it’s own way. I don’t think it’s any secret that these were only street legal, when sold as new, in Poland. But, I’m sure some of our viewers could get it titled and tagged for street use in the states 😉
You may recall a few months back I posted a Pascall Picotte VR1000 Full Factory Racer that was for sale at Picottoe Motorsports. It was listed for sale at $50,000.00 and didn’t sell on ebay. So for me it raises the question of which is more rare? A Factory VR racer or a Factory street goer? Now, #20 is not all stock and that is being disclosed by the owner/seller. S&S has done extensive engine work and it has been ran in the Salt Flats. So what do you think? Is a VR Factory racer more or less valuable than a bone stock VR?
The VR in H-D’s words:
In 1994, Harley-Davidson returned to the top level of professional road racing with the VR 1000 Superbike Race Team. Despite memorable performances during its eight-year run, including a pole position in 1996 and podium finishes by Pascal Picotte in 1999, Harley-Davidson concluded in 2001 that the VR 1000 was at the end of its development cycle and was no longer competitive in the AMA Superbike series. While the program was ended following the 2001 season, the VR 1000 Superbike racing program helped Harley-Davidson develop and refine technologies such as liquid-cooling and electronic fuel injection. The program also led to the development Harley-Davidson’s first production liquid-cooled motorcycle, the 2002 VRSCA V-Rod.
The H-D PR makes it sound a little better perhaps than it actually was for the race team in my opinion. Some of the last memories I have of it on the race track is Scott Russell leaning it against the gaurd rail, sitting down and watching the rest of the race as if that’s what was expected to happen. It seemed as if no matter who was recruited to to help the effort it didn’t help the reliability and speed of the bike. I personally was very excited to see H-D competing in the AMA and wanted them to suceed. But, we all know the result. However, we still have the VR1000 which will live on to be looked at and discussed for many years to come.
The story behind #20:
This particular VR1000 was purchased by S&S Cycle to get an idea of where H-D might be going in the future. The bike and engine were all new, aluminum perimeter frame, top of the line suspension and lots of exotic light weight components. The engine was impressive, 60 degree V-twin, liquid cooling, 4 valve head, overhead cam shafts, and fuel injection. S&S worked for a couple years on the VR1000 expecting to see a version hit production or at least see it become street legal in the US. Power and torque were raised dramatically over the stock bike, special pistons, cams, head work, intake, and a high output exhaust were the majority of the improvements. In 1995 S&S took the VR out to the Bonneville Salt Flats. The bike was tall with a short wheelbase, perfect for road racing, but at Bonneville, not so good. At top speed on the salt the VR would just spin its rear tire. The upgrades did prove to be reliable and much faster than stock, it ran 166 mph on salt, not bad.
Bike is said to be in excellent condition and ready to fire. I’ve never seen one of these on the road and don’t really expect to, but think of the conversations you would have at your local Bike Night.
Cheers!
dd
Fantastic!! If I had $50K for a toy this would sure be in the running. I was fortunate enough to see Miguel Duhamel race the VR1000 at Brainerd… what a glorious sound that machine made as it thundered down the mile-long front straight towards Turn One…
There is a spot reserved for a VR1000 in my dream collection as well.
mi interessa.. sale?????price??????