The Icon Sheene is a hand-built, turbocharged superbike producing 248 hp, limited to just 52 units, and crafted as a tribute to British racing legend Barry Sheene.
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In the world of high-performance motorcycles, few machines blur the line between motorsport engineering and bespoke craftsmanship like the Icon Sheene. A hand-built, turbocharged ultra-bike named after two-time world champion Barry Sheene, this limited-production motorcycle is not just a tribute, but a mechanical masterpiece.
A Tribute in Limited Numbers
Icon Motorcycles produced only 52 units of the Icon Sheene, symbolising Barry Sheene’s age at the time of his passing in 2003. They individually numbered each motorcycle and visually distinguished them with a hand-painted playing card motif, reflecting the 52 cards in a deck, displayed near the sub-frame. The motif includes a bikini-clad figure holding the card, further enhancing the bike’s collector appeal.
Engineered with Turbocharged Fury
At the heart of the Icon Sheene is a turbocharged 1,400cc inline-four engine, derived from the Suzuki GSX1400. The engine was extensively reengineered, featuring Wiseco pistons, Carrillo connecting rods, and a Garrett turbocharger, all working in tandem with a custom aluminium oil-cooling system to deliver exceptional performance and durability.
- Power Output: 248.5 hp at the rear wheel
- Torque: 133 lb-ft
- Boost Pressure: 0.4 bar (with more potential untapped)
- Top Speed: Estimated 200 mph
- Transmission: 6-speed, chain final drive
Despite the modest boost, the Sheene surpasses even the Ducati Panigale V4 R in raw power output, making it one of the most potent road-legal motorcycles ever made.
Bespoke Chassis and Race-Grade Components
The chassis comprises a custom aluminium tubular frame crafted by Spondon Engineering, a firm long associated with Barry Sheene’s racing legacy. It is paired with race-spec Bitubo inverted forks up front and a fully adjustable Bitubo monoshock at the rear. A handcrafted swingarm further enhances the setup, featuring an integrated axle-lifting system and a polished hugger for added functionality and style.
For braking, the bike employs:
- Front: Dual floating ISR discs with six-piston billet callipers
- Rear: Single disc with two-piston calliper
Carbon fibre race wheels and hand-crafted footpegs complete the race-ready hardware, and every owner underwent a custom fitting during production.
Design: Where Function Meets Art
Aesthetically, the Icon Sheene is deliberately bold. The fuel tank, made of hand-beaten aluminium, takes a month to produce. The fairings are hand-laid carbon fibre, with stainless steel louvers for cooling. All body fasteners are concealed to optimise aerodynamic performance.
Design highlights include:
- HID headlight with LED halo
- Alcantara racing seat embroidered with Sheene’s iconic number 7
- Hand-engraved yokes bearing Barry Sheene’s signature and a solid silver “Sheene Duck” logo
- Paintwork by Mike Fairholme, Sheene’s personal helmet painter
Electronics and Tech: Ahead of Its Time
The electronics package is equally exclusive. A custom digital cluster, likely a Motogadget unit, is mounted in a polished aluminium housing. It includes datalogging, custom engine maps, and a Motech F1 cabling system. The bike also features:
- Keyless ignition
- Remote start
- High-power lithium battery
This suite not only enhances convenience but also optimises the performance of the turbocharged engine, maintaining efficiency and reducing weight.
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