Few riders in the history of road racing have commanded the respect, affection and quiet awe inspired by Joey Dunlop. Modest, intensely private and utterly uncompromising on the road, Dunlop became the most successful rider in Isle of Man TT history, redefining what greatness looked like on the Mountain Course.
Despite his fame, Dunlop remained deeply uncomfortable with celebrity. He preferred to be found quietly fettling his bikes between practice and races, often working on his own machines even when factory-backed teams, mechanics and hospitality were available to him. That independence was mirrored in his riding style: calm, precise and devastatingly effective in all conditions.
Dunlop’s versatility was unmatched. He could step from a 125cc two-stroke race bike to a 750cc four-stroke superbike in the same day and win on both. Wet weather only enhanced his advantage, with Dunlop able to read grip and conditions better than almost anyone before or since. Rarely flustered, rarely crashing, he made the difficult look effortless.
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Loyalty mattered deeply to him. Dunlop stayed with Honda from 1980 until his death, forming one of the most enduring and successful rider–manufacturer partnerships in motorsport history. Away from racing, he quietly undertook humanitarian work, delivering aid to Bosnia and Romania without publicity or media involvement — acts that only emerged later and cemented his reputation as a man of rare character.
Honda RVF750 RC45
Among the many machines Joey Dunlop mastered, the Honda RVF750 RC45 stands out as one of the most fascinating. A hand-built, fuel-injected homologation special, the RC45 was never an easy bike to tame. Built in limited numbers, it featured advanced electronics, a sophisticated ECU, a V4 engine, and high-spec Showa suspension, all designed with endurance racing in mind.
In World Superbike competition the RC45 struggled against more powerful and cheaper rivals, particularly Ducati’s V-twins. But in Dunlop’s hands — especially on the roads — its balance, braking and stability came alive. Honda’s deep engineering knowledge, combined with Dunlop’s feel for grip and mechanical sympathy, unlocked the bike’s potential where it mattered most.
That partnership produced one of the most memorable moments in TT history. In 2000, at the age of 48, Dunlop returned to the TT amid widespread doubt. Many believed he was too old, and that the RC45 was no longer competitive against newer machinery. What followed silenced critics completely: a dominant Senior TT victory, achieved after rival David Jefferies’ clutch failure, and delivered with authority and calm precision.
It was a fairytale ending — and tragically, one of his last. Just weeks later, Dunlop was killed in a wet 125cc race in Tallinn, Estonia, after completing a hat-trick of victories at the event. The shock reverberated across the racing world. Motorsport had lost not just a champion, but a figure of extraordinary humility and humanity.
Joey Dunlop remains the benchmark by which all road racers are measured. The RC45, forever associated with that final TT triumph, stands as a symbol of determination, loyalty and quiet brilliance — qualities that defined the man himself.
Original article appeared in Classic Bike Guide Magazine. To subscribe please visit https://www.classicmagazines.co.uk/classic-bike-guide
