Stunning Yamaha Race Bike Collection Heads to Auction
Iconic Auctioneers is set to sell what is claimed to be the UK’s biggest Yamaha race bike collection, estimated to be worth £250,000
What is claimed to be the UK’s largest collection of Yamaha race bikes is going up for auction in 2025, as the Glyn Marriott collection heads to the London Motorcycle Show sale.
Marriot was a racer of Yamaha’s of this period, and much of the collection has been on display at his bike dealership. It’s seemingly time for the collection to go, though, as he’s putting the significant and beautifully presented haul of machines up for sale.
The collection spans from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s, and includes a 125cc racer, 250s, 350s and even a Maxton-framed Yamaha TZ750 built by Ron Williams. As wide and varied as the ages of the machines are, the guide prices are equally as mixed, with the lowest coming in at between £4,000 and £6,000, while there are a number of bikes topping out at £30,000. There is even one beautiful machine carrying a £40,000 top estimate.
Here’s our pick of the bunch.
1969 Yamaha TR-2 348cc - £8,000 to £10,000
The TR-2 might not be the most powerful machine in the collection, nor the most widely recognised, but it is a significant bike in Yamaha’s history in its own right, as it's the first 350 "over the counter" production racer from the Iwata brand.
1991 Yamaha TZ250B 249cc - £10,000 to £12,000
If screaming 1990s two-strokes are your bag, the next two bikes will be right up your street. This stunning TZ250B featured a 250cc V-twin engine that was mated to a factory-spec YZR250 frame and suspension set-up.
1994 Yamaha TZ125 4JT 124cc - £4,000 to £6,000
Like the 250 above, the TZ125 came at a time when two-stroke Grand Prix bikes were still the machines of myth and legend that raced at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. The two-strokes didn’t have long left though, and in 2002, with the introduction of the MotoGP class (which brought with it the four-stroke era) the writing was on the wall for oil-burning bike racing.
1977 Maxton Yamaha TZ750D 747cc - £25,000 to £30,000
One of the most unusual machines in the collection is this Maxton-framed TZ750D, which would have been a forerunner in the Formula 750 class. Built by Ron Williams, the bike is said to be one of only six in existence. Although depicted in its naked form, other images of the bike show it with un-painted upper and lower fairings which are to be included with the machine.
1977 Yamaha TZ750D 747cc - £35,000 to £40,000
Expected to be the most hotly contested bike in the sale, this TZ750D is a very different machine from the one listed above. This matching numbers machine is in beautifully restored but visually original condition and allows you the chance to buy a bike that is reputed to be the ultimate TZ in history.
All the bikes in the collection are going under the hammer at the London Motorcycle Show sale on February 16 2025. Each is presented in exceptional condition, although as they have been on display for varying periods, some recommissioning work will likely be needed.
More information can be found on the official website.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
