Late Rush drummer Neil Peart is considered as one of rock’s most revered drummers and a big motorcycle fan, now, one of the motorbikes he famously rode between shows on Rush’s R30 Tour is going to auction. The 1170cc BMW R1200GS is being sold by Mecum Auctions at this year’s Vintage and Antique Motorcycle show, held at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, on February 1.
Peart, whose 2002 memoir Ghost Rider: Travels On The Healing Road documented the 55,000-mile journey he undertook to try and find solace following the double tragedy of losing his daughter Selena and his wife Jackie within 10 months of each other, took up motorcycling in his 40s. On the road with Rush, he’d retire to his own bus post-show, then spend the following day touring before the next night’s performance.
Published in September 2006, Roadshow: Landscape with Drums – A Concert Tour by Motorcycle documented Rush’s R30 tour from Peart’s point of view, both from behind the drum kit and from the seat of his R1200GS.
The sale of the bike includes an original purchase receipt signed by Peart, a set of Jesse aluminium panniers, a worn canvas tank bag, and a pair of used drumsticks. Neil Peart’s bike is expected to fetch $40,000 – $50,000, and fans wishing to take part in the motorcycle’s auction can register online.
