Description
This motorcycle is Lot 39 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on April 25th & 26th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 94 are to be sold from 14:30 on Saturday 25th April 2026.
Lots 201 - 353 are to be sold from 11:30am on Sunday 26th April 2026.
Public Viewing:
Available 25th & 26th April 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
** 1975 Suzuki 497cc RE5**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. RE5-14882
Engine no. RE5-14892
** The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.
If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.**
Although not (quite) the first rotary-engined motorcycle to reach production - that honour falling to the DKW/ Hercules W2000 – Suzuki's RE5 nevertheless stunned the motorcycling public when it was unveiled at the Tokyo Show in 1973. An heroic engineering tour de force, the RE5 successfully addressed many of the technical problems that hitherto had bedevilled the rotary engine, albeit at a cost of increased complexity. Faced with stiff competition from Suzuki's own GT750, Honda's CB750 and the Kawasaki Z1, the RE5 failed to attract sufficient customers from within the notoriously conservative motorcycle-buying public and was withdrawn from production in 1977. The fact that it survived as long as it did is probably down to corporate pride more than anything else. Today, though, this revolutionary motorcycle continues to be supported by the Rotary Owners' Club and an enthusiastic band of devotees, and can only become increasingly collectible.
Currently displaying a total of only 5, 123 miles on the odometer, this beautiful example would respond well to detailing (the engine turns over).
Offered unregistered and without documents. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Offered with key
All lots are sold ‘as is/ where is’ and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
