MORIWAKI MP101 — NO. 4 OF ONLY 30

A Rare Piece of Japanese Motorcycle History

Eastern Auto Services is pleased to offer one of the most exclusive Japanese performance motorcycles of the early 2000s — a genuine Moriwaki MP101, No. 4 of only 30 motorcycles produced.

Purchased directly in Japan, this exceptional machine is now in transit to New Zealand and will subsequently be offered to the worldwide collector market.

This is an opportunity to acquire an exceptionally rare Moriwaki with a particularly interesting original-owner provenance.

NO. 4 OF ONLY 30

The MORIWAKI-MP101 was created in 2001 as an uncompromising road-going V-twin sports machine.

The project was developed by Moriwaki Engineering and produced through Passage, using Honda's VTR1000 SP-1 / RC51 as its foundation. Passage's own historical archive records that only 30 MP101s were produced, with an original price of ¥2,780,000 before tax.

This motorcycle is:

MP101 — No. 4 / 30

One of the earliest examples produced.

ORIGINAL MORIWAKI OWNER PLATE

Perhaps the most fascinating feature of this particular motorcycle is the original Moriwaki owner identification plate, which remains fitted to the top yoke.

The plate specifically names:

Hiroto Takahashi

and identifies him as:

MP101 OWNER

The plate also carries the distinctive Moriwaki branding.

This provides physical, motorcycle-specific evidence connecting this particular MP101 with its original named owner.

THE HONDA WING CONNECTION

Our research has identified a highly significant connection surrounding the name on the original plate.

Japanese motorcycle-business records identify Hiroto Takahashi (高橋 広人) as the representative of:

株式会社ホンダウイング高橋

Honda Wing Takahashi

in Uonuma, Niigata, Japan.

The Niigata Motorcycle Business Cooperative Association identifies the dealership at 113-3 Mushino, Uonuma, and specifically identifies 高橋 広人 as its representative.

The business is an established Honda motorcycle dealership, making the original-owner identification on this MP101 particularly intriguing.

We are continuing to research the period 2000–2002 records to establish the precise corporate title held by Mr. Takahashi when this motorcycle was produced.

For that reason, we deliberately describe the Honda Wing connection here on the basis of the surviving physical and Japanese business records rather than overstating the historical title.

MORIWAKI ENGINEERING

The MP101 was far more than a Honda RC51 wearing special bodywork.

Passage describes the motorcycle as a road-going racer developed with the objective of creating an ultimate V-twin sports model.

Moriwaki Engineering undertook the specialist engineering, while Passage produced the project. Wayne Gardner, the former 500cc World Champion, was involved in testing the MP101 during its development.

The MP101 combined Honda's formidable V-twin superbike platform with Moriwaki's racing-derived engineering and specialist components.

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE

The MP101 was based on Honda's 999 cc VTR1000 SP-1 / RC51, Honda's homologation-derived V-twin superbike.

Documented MP101 specifications include:

• 999 cc 90-degree V-twin

• Moriwaki ST-1 camshafts

• Cylinder-head preparation

• Power Commander II fuel management

• Moriwaki performance exhaust

• Chassis-dynamometer testing

• Dedicated Moriwaki suspension preparation

• MP101-specific steering components

• Dedicated rearsets

• Large-capacity aluminium fuel tank

A Japanese technical specification records 138 PS at 9,500 rpm and 11.0 kg-m at 8,000 rpm.

Contemporary British reporting described higher-specification MP101s as producing approximately 150 bhp, reflecting the different levels of engine preparation available.

EXCLUSIVE CHASSIS & BODYWORK

The MP101 received extensive Moriwaki-specific equipment, including:

• Moriwaki FRP bodywork

• Moriwaki racing colours

• Aluminium fuel tank

• Carbon-fibre components

• Dedicated front-end components

• Reworked suspension

• Moriwaki swing-step/rearset system

• Moriwaki exhaust

• MP101 identification plate

• Optional specialist performance equipment

The motorcycle was designed to offer the character and performance of a race-developed machine while remaining a road-going motorcycle.

30 MOTORCYCLES. THAT'S ALL.

The rarity of the MP101 cannot be overstated.

Passage's own historical archive confirms:

Only 30 MP101 motorcycles were produced.

The original retail price was ¥2,780,000 before tax, an extraordinary price for a Japanese motorcycle in 2001.

Consequently, the MP101 belongs to a very small group of Japanese motorcycles produced in genuine collector-level numbers.

And this is:

NUMBER 4.

PURCHASED IN JAPAN — NOW COMING TO NEW ZEALAND

Eastern Auto Services purchased this MP101 directly in Japan.

The motorcycle is currently in transit to New Zealand, where it will be prepared for presentation to the international collector market.

We are offering the motorcycle worldwide and can assist the successful purchaser with international shipping and export arrangements.

COLLECTOR SPECIFICATION

A MOTORCYCLE WITH A STORY

The Japanese motorcycle industry produced some extraordinary machines during the superbike era.

The Moriwaki MP101 was one of the rarest.

With only 30 produced, Moriwaki engineering, Honda RC51 heritage, Wayne Gardner development involvement and an original Moriwaki owner plate identifying Hiroto Takahashi, this particular motorcycle offers something beyond specification alone.

It has provenance attached to the machine itself.

MORIWAKI MP101

NO. 4 OF ONLY 30 BUILT

Purchased in Japan.

Now coming to New Zealand.

Worldwide collector enquiries welcome.

Provenance note

The statement that Hiroto Takahashi was the Managing Director of Honda Wing is being investigated further through period Japanese records. Current Japanese motorcycle-business records independently identify 高橋 広人 (Hiroto Takahashi) as the representative of Honda Wing Takahashi in Uonuma, while the original Moriwaki plate physically identifies Hiroto Takahashi as the MP101 owner. This distinction is intentionally preserved until the historical 2001 title can be conclusively documented.