Rare Schumacher Motorcycle Sells for Crazy Price

Michael Schumacher is and remains one of Formula 1's greatest legends. But what many have probably forgotten is that the former Ferrari driver also competed in motorcycle racing. After his time with the Scuderia, the German took part in a few semi-professional events.

He notably rode a Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SC59. The latter, which dates back to 2010, was recently put up for auction by RM Sotheby's. According to the auction announcement, it is a model designed by the Holzhauer Racing Performance team. The bike had been converted at the time for use on the track in order to be "available to Michael Schumacher during test days."

This "unique, exceptionally transformed" motorcycle has achieved a surprisingly high price for an online auction. A buyer paid a whopping €64,800 (approximately CHF61,000), despite the original purchase price being "only" €45,000 (CHF42,000).

The bike still bears the number 77, the one with which "Schumi" had notably participated in the German Motorcycle Championship (IDM). Originally, he had planned to race under the pseudonym "Marcel Niederhausen," but this request was ultimately rejected.

During the 2008 IDM season, the "Red Baron" contested nine of the sixteen races on the program as a guest driver for the Holzhauer Racing Promotion team.

According to the announcement, the bike in question is based on the 2010 model year, when Michael Schumacher was already racing for Mercedes in Formula 1. The seven-time world champion - a record he co-holds with Britain's Lewis Hamilton - had, however, taken to the saddle again in August 2010 during free practice at the Hockenheimring.

A risky departure, as Michael Schumacher had already been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in February 2009. This accident and the neck injuries he suffered then prevented him from making a quick return to Formula 1 as a replacement for Brazilian Felipe Massa.

While it is unlikely that the bike up for auction is the model the 'Kaiser' crashed on, a full technical sheet with all the technical specifications confirms its use by the Formula 1 legend.

As the car has not been started for some time, "a complete maintenance and technical inspection are required before further use on the track," the description continues. At the time of registration in the catalog, the odometer read 3,752 kilometers.

In addition to the motorcycle, the lot also included a Schuberth helmet signed by Michael Schumacher and a pair of motorcycle gloves, also signed. The identity of the lucky new owner of this collector's item is not yet known.