A piece of rock history will soon find a new home as one of Neil Peart’s motorcycles, famously ridden during Rush’s 30th-anniversary tour, goes up for auction. The late drummer’s beloved 1170cc BMW R1200GS will be sold by Mecum Auctions at the Vintage and Antique Motorcycle show in Las Vegas on February 1, according to Classic Rock. Fans of Peart and Rush alike will have the chance to bid on a vehicle that holds both personal and musical significance, by registering here.
For Peart, motorcycling wasn’t just a pastime — it was a lifeline. After suffering the devastating losses of his daughter Selena and wife Jackie within the span of ten months, Peart took to the road in search of healing. His 2002 memoir, “Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road”, chronicles a 55,000-mile journey across North America as he sought solace in solitude and motion.
While many rock stars might retreat to luxury accommodations after a show, Peart had a different routine. Once the lights went down and the crowd dispersed, he would head to his own bus for the night. The next day, while his bandmates took flights to the next city, Peart would hit the road on his bike, immersing himself in the landscapes between gigs.
“I’ve had an 1150 GS, and three 1200s, because there’s no better bike for all the things that I like,” Peart explained in a 2009 interview with American Motorcyclist. “It has the most flexibility, it’s the ultimate expression of versatility. It’s fast and agile enough for me on twisty paved roads, capable on gravel roads, and it’s great for long distances.”
Peart sought out unpaved roads and the challenges they presented. “I like to ride a lot of dirt roads—the places they can take you to are interesting, and just surviving them can be a challenge, and thus a satisfaction,” he said. “I look for a little bit of unpaved road somewhere just about every day, because that’s part of the dual-sport mentality.”
The R1200GS now heading to auction was a key part of Peart’s journey. It accompanied him on Rush’s R30 tour, an experience he documented in “Roadshow: Landscape with Drums – A Concert Tour by Motorcycle”. Published in 2006, the book offers a unique perspective on life as both a world-famous drummer and a solitary traveler exploring the world from the seat of his motorcycle.
The auction listing includes more than just the bike itself. The winning bidder will receive the original purchase receipt signed by Peart, along with a set of Jesse aluminum panniers, a worn canvas tank bag, and a pair of used drumsticks—small but meaningful reminders of the man who rode this machine through both personal and professional milestones.
With an estimated value between $40,000 and $50,000, the R1200GS represents a tangible connection to Peart’s philosophy of life on the road — a symbol of resilience, exploration, and the endless search for meaning.
