Rossi Yamaha R1 to be auctioned for Riders

World famous auction house Bonhams has announced the release of its catalogue for the upcoming "Classic California" auction on November 13th at the Petersen Museum in downtown Los Angeles. The auction will include a truly one-of-a-kind motorcycle offered in collaboration with the most successful motorcycle racer of his era, Valentino Rossi. All the money raised by the sale of this unique lot will support the work of Riders for Health.

The catalogue can be viewed online at Bonhams website. The highly upgraded and customized 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 1000cc can be found in the catalogue as Lot 439.

The bike is the civilian version of the MotoGP machine ridden by nine-times World Champion, Rossi, who was on hand to personally sign the bike at the recent MotoGP at Laguna Seca.

Sporting Rossi’s personal “Five Continents” AGV helmet design, this amazing and very specialised motorcycle was the brainchild of Daytona 200 winner, former racing champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Don Emde. Emde founded the non-profit Friends of Riders for Health to further the cause in America of Riders for Health.

As a way to generate funds for Riders for Health, Emde conceived this project and then invited the “who’s who” of the motorcycling world to participate.

“Once we got Rossi’s blessing, everyone jumped aboard,” said Emde. “Yamaha Motor Corp. USA donated the brand new stock machine, Aldo Drudi translated the graphics from Rossi’s helmet to the R1’s special bodywork imported from Italy, Roland Sands donated Ronin wheels, Bridgestone added BT-003 tyres, Öhlins gave suspension, Akrapovic provided exhaust, EBC did brakes, and the list goes on – Vortex, Goodridge, Dynojet, etc. Just with improvements the bike’s value is nearly $30,000, and that’s without the significance of the project and Rossi’s involvement.”

This incredible team effort R1, personally autographed by Rossi, will be presented in “track day” trim but it is fully street legal and will be offered with all the necessary accessories and California title. On top of that, Yamaha will donate a day at the Yamaha Champions Riding School for the winning bidder.

The Bonhams Classic California Auction will be held at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 13th. Parties interested in bidding on this extraordinary machine – in person or remotely – may register to bid and order a sales catalogue at Bonhams website.

For more information about the work of Riders for Health click here. To learn more about the team behind this project, visit www.friendsofriders.org.