The list of the most expensive motorcycles ever sold at auction provides a unique glimpse into the collectible motorcycle market. This article contains information about all 50 bikes, including their prices, pictures. The highest 50 motorcycles, the most prominent brands, where they were sold, and the most renowned auction houses are evaluated in our Top 50 Analysis.
It’s generally agreed that auctions are the most economical, most accurate method of determining an item’s true worth and matching buyers and sellers at the ideal price for everyone’s benefit. However, when a unique history is involved and all those potential buyers who make up the internet community have a variety of values for a single item, an auction is also the optimal strategy for bringing on the ‘auction winner’s curse.’ Billions of words have been written on auctions and auction theory, but when a unique history is involved, and all those potential buyers who make up the internet community have a variety of values for a single item, an auction is also the best strategy to invoke the ‘auction winner’s curse.’
Most Expensive Motorcycles
1) 1927 Zenith-JAP 8/45hp
US$319,653 (sold for £177,500) September 2008
London, U.K.
The combination of a Zenith-JAP motorcyle and an AJS-produced Graiseley TT Model 259 racing sidecar dating from Zenith’s heyday was purchased new from Blay’s of Twickenham in April 1927 by Roland Martin. There are original bills of sale for both the motorcycle and sidecar on file. Roland Martin was one of the few private owners who had their own workshop at Brooklands and prepared and tuned other people’s machines for racing. Rallies were his first interest, but he preferred motorcycle combinations and the KTOR-powered Zenith was one of the most desirable machines for £140 in 1927.
2) 1939 Crocker “Big Tank” twin
US$302,500 June, 2008
California, U.S.
During the period 1936-1942, Crocker V-twins were made in America. One hundred of these motorcycles were made. They were created as performance cruisers and outperformed Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles of the time, now regarded as some of the most desirable collector vehicles in the world. Kit motorcycles are now produced by the Crocker Motorcycle Company. They are available from the company as well as parts and supplies. A Crocker was the highlight of the 2008 sale, fetching US$302,500, the highest amount ever paid for a Crocker at auction. It was sold by RM as part of Joe MacPherson’s (Joe’s Garage famed) collection.
3) 2011 Ducati GP11 VR2 Desmosedici
US$317,862 (sold for EUR245,700) May 2012
Monte Carlo, Monaco
In 2012, Ducati auctioned off two Desmosedici MotoGP bikes, the most popular motorcycle racer in the world, Valentino Rossi, raced on this one. Only Casey Stoner has ever been able to ride the Desmosedici at world championship level, despite Rossi winning Championships in 125, 250, and various MotoGP classes (500cc two-strokes, 1000cc four-strokes, and 800cc four-strokes). Although Rossi seemed poised to tie Giacomo Agostini’s record eight MotoGP titles and become the greatest athlete ever, his career fizzled out once he moved to Ducati. He obtained just one victory in all of 2011, and he was never successful on the Desmosedici.
4) 1957 MV Agusta 500cc Grand Prix Racer
Auctioneers Estimate: £160,000 – 180,000(US$319,728 – 359,694)(Failed to meet reserve) April, 2007
London, U.K.
It is unfortunate that this MV Agusta “fire engine” did not win a world championship, because it was one of the few that did not. It was raced and subsequently owned by John Surtees, the only man to have won both the Formula One Drivers and World 500cc (now MotoGP) Championships.
The low reserve at auction in 2007 demonstrates that motorcycle collectibles are still undervalued. There is much debate about what this bike may be worth today, but … the auction block always has the final say. There is no doubt that the market will come to its senses, but this bike has already been sold. It may be a while before another such treasure is put up for public sale.
5) 1934 Brough Superior SS100
US$330,170 (sold for £166,500)April 2008
Stafford, U.K.
In 1934, only eight Brough Superiors SS100s were manufactured. Every owner over eight decades was recorded in this motorcycle’s history. Matthews & Co of Stratford-on-Avon sold the SS100 to the initial owner, who lived in the Stratford area. Around 1973, the SS100 was among other vintage motorcycles at Murray’s Motorcycle Museum in the Isle of Man. In 2005, the SS100 was restored mechanically and cosmetically before being auctioned off by Bonhams in April 2008.
6) Pope Francis’ 2013 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide
US$330,938 (sold for EUR241,500)
February, 2014
Paris, France
In February 2014, Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques du Monde sale at the Grand Palais in Paris generated EUR 241,500 (US$330,938). More than one individual with the means to indulge their passion (or faith) wanted this 2013 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide motorcycle, which was auctioned for EUR 241,500 (US$330,938). The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, had previously owned the motorcycle, which sold for roughly 25 times its new sale price after being given to him by Harley-Davidson as part of the company’s 110th Anniversary celebration.
7) 1929 Brough Superior SS100
US$332,969 (sold for £210,000)
October 2011
Stafford, U.K.
Prior to World War II, the Brough Superior SS100 was considered by Motor Cycling magazine to be the world’s fastest privately owned road vehicle. During 1931, it was named “Moby Dick” after the magazine’s habit of referring to it, and it achieved a top speed of 106 mph. This machine is one of the most interesting histories in history, and it is well worth reading.
8) 1907 Harley-Davidson “Strap Tank” Single
Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson established their fledgling enterprise on the back of the “Strap Tank” bike, which was sold for US$352,000 in 2006 as part of the Otis Chandler Collection by Gooding & Co.
9) 1939 Vincent-HRD Series-A Rapide
US$357,291 (sold for £198,400)
September 2008
London, U.K.
When the Brian Verrall Collection was auctioned off in 2008, this rare motorcycle was among the lots. Series-A Vincents are notoriously difficult to find. The prototype Series-A Rapide was unveiled at the 1936 London Motorcycle Show, and although production started in 1936, it was halted in 1939 as a result of World War II and continued in 1946 with the Series-B. Currently, only a couple of Vincent V-twin motorcycles remain in existence.
10) 1939 Vincent HRD Series A Rapide
US$366,775 (sold for £225,500)
April, 2012
Stafford, U.K.
Auctioned by Bonhams
Between late 1936 and 1939, only 78 Series A Vincent twins were manufactured. This bike was previously in the Brian Verrall collection and was auctioned by Bonhams in 2008 for £198,400.
11) 1948 Vincent HRD Black Lightning
US$375,303 (sold for £246,000)
April 2013
War Museum, U.K.
The Black Lightning was considered to be the fastest bike around when it was first manufactured. It was a racing edition of the Black Shadow, which is why straight through exhausts and Amal TT carburetors were utilised. This Lightning is a superbike that is given a suitable sound by virtue of its seven year restoration. It has won several prestigious honours, including the Vincent Owners Club’s Best Vincent award at the Annual Rally in 2000 and the Best in Show prize at the Stafford Classic Bike Show in 2005.
12) 1932 Brough Superior “BS4” 3-Wheel Austin-engine
US$375,913 (sold for £246,400)
April 2013
War Museum, U.K.
The BS4 is an unusual and rare Brough Superior owing to its Austin 7 water-cooled four-cylinder engine and two rear wheels. Despite the fact that the two-rear wheels suggest that it was primarily used as a sidecar mount, this motorcycle was set up as a solo.
13) 1949 Vincent Black Lightning Supercharged
US$383,317 (sold for £221,500)
October, 2008
Stafford, U.K.
This bike was created to try for the World Land Speed Record by Reg Dearden with a lot of help from Phil Vincent and the Vincent company. The full account is worth reading, as an attempt was never made for a variety of reasons. This is a truly one-of-a-kind machine with impeccable pedigree.
14) 1942 Crocker Big Tank
US$385,000
March, 2015
Las Vegas, U.S.
A 1942 Crocker V Twin from the E.J. Cole Collection was sold at auction in March 2015 for between $300,000 and $350,000. It was sold for $385,000, a new record for the marque, exceeding its estimated price by $85,000.
15) Harley-Davidson 1959 FLH Panhead
US$385,000
January, 2015
Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.
Before he became famous, “The Killer,” as Jerry Lee Lewis was known, was rock & roll’s first ‘bad boy.’ It is ironic that he has outlived nearly all of music’s wild men and women, yet his first hit was five years before the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. Jerry Lee Lewis has received twelve gold records, several Grammy awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was named by Rolling Stone magazine as number 24 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
16) 1934 Brough Superior SS100
US$394,101 (sold for £242,300)
April, 2012
Stafford, U.K.
This motorcycle comes with its original frame, engine, works record card, much original correspondence, and a copy of Motorcycle Classics magazine in which noted journalist Alan Cathcart tested the vehicle. It employs a (then) redesigned JAP 8/75hp twin-cylinder engine with two oil pumps, magnetos, and carburetors, as well as a four-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox. Eight SS100s were produced in 1934; the same model was on order by Lawrence of Arabia but was undelivered when the famous warrior died in a motorcycle crash. The vehicle has been on display at Murray’s Motorcycle Museum on the Isle of Man and at the Goodwood Revival.
17) 1911 Flying Merkel Board Track Racer
US$423,500
March, 2015
Las Vegas, U.S.
Despite producing bikes for just 15 years under three different monikers (Merkel, Merkel Light, and Flying Merkel), Joseph Merkel’s bikes are among the most coveted in the world. This Flying Merkel board track racer was offered at auction in totally original condition, and was considered one of the key gems in E.J. Cole’s collection.
18) 1894 Roper Steam Motorcycle
High bid of US425,000 (passed in)
January, 2012
Las Vegas, U.S.
This motorbike didn’t sell at auction, but we’ve included it in our list since it would most likely have been one of the top ten motorcycles if it had met its reserve price of $425,000. You can read the whole account of this historic vehicle in a feature we published at the time of the auction. This bike is considered by some to be the world’s oldest operating motorcycle, and its Roper ancestors include possibly the first motorcycle ever made. Sylvester Roper was killed when he crashed on this motorcycle.
19) 1939 Brough Superior SS100
US$425,943 (sold for £253,500)
April, 2014
Stafford, U.K
The Brough Superior is an old English motorbike manufacturer that ceased production in 1939. However, this bike was built for and used extensively by George Brough (one of the last Broughs produced), it is as original and well documented as any other surviving Brough.
20) 1929 Brough Superior SS100
US$448,156 (sold for £286,000)
October, 2010
Sparkford, U.K.
Owners of any Brough Superior machine can take inspiration from this example, which achieved its price not because of its distinguished past or well-known owners, but because it was a thoroughly refurbished example of one of the finest models. The Brough is renowned for its late-era improvements, such as the Bentley and Draper sprung frames, dual headlights, and three-speed gearboxes.
21) 1958 Ariel 650 Cyclone
US$450,000
October, 2014
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Owners of any Brough Superior machine can take inspiration from this example, which achieved its price not because of its distinguished past or well-known owners, but because it was a thoroughly refurbished example of one of the finest models. The Brough is renowned for its late-era improvements, such as the Bentley and Draper sprung frames, dual headlights, and three-speed gearboxes.
22) 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sports
US$452,234 (sold for £280,800)
October, 2012
Battersea, U.K.
This 1926 SS100 Alpine Grand Sports model is one of the finest in existence, with matching engine and frame numbers as well as a well-documented ownership history. It features a JAP, 8/45 hp, 980 cc OHV V-twin engine, a Binks twin-jet sports carburetor, a three-speed counter shaft hand-change gearbox, a single center spring multi-plate clutch, Harley-Davidson bottom link front forks, a rigid frame, and cable-operated front and rod-operated rear brakes.
Its complete authenticity, wherein subsequent improvements were reversed to original specifications during a completely documented restoration by marque experts, along with excellent documentation, led to the ultimate result at auction.
23) 1922 Brough Superior SS80
US$463,847 (sold for £291,200)
October, 2012
Duxford, England
This bike, nicknamed “Old Bill”, was ridden extensively by George Brough himself and won more than 50 races with George in the saddle. It was sold with an extensive, well-documented history, which included Titch Allen, the well-known President of the Vintage Motorcycle Club, as an added bonus.
24) 1939 BMW RS255 Kompressor
US$480,000
January 2013
Las Vegas, U.S.
Walter Zeller, a BMW works rider, built this machine using parts from the BMW factory, using his influence to obtain them. This 1949 Rennsport RS255 Kompressor recreation has an authentic 1939 BMW RS255 Kompressor engine, a 1951 Rennsport “plunger” frame, and numerous modifications (a twin-leading shoe front brake, re-creation forks) that make it an accurate representation of the RS255 Kompressor, which was used in races across pre- and post-war Europe.
25) 1929 Brough Superior SS100 ‘Alpine Grand Sports’
US$492,973 (sold for GBP£315,100)
November, 2014
London, U.K.
The SS100 Alpine Grand Sports model is named after the Alpine Trial, one of the world’s first alpine reliability trials and one of the toughest events prior to World War I. Beginning in 1910, the Alpine Trial traversed the icy alpine peaks of Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and the twists and turns of the Stelvio Pass. It eventually developed into the World Rally Championship, although cars and motorcycles competed at first.
26) 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer
US$551,200
July, 2008
Pebble Beach, U.S.
The Cyclone brand’s dramatic rise and the bike’s revolutionary bevel-driven OHC, four-valve-per-cylinder V-twin design, which was cutting edge at the time, both contributed to its high auction price. You don’t need to do a lot of study to realise how uncommon Cyclones were a century ago, let alone one in such pristine condition. The extremely beautiful engine of the Cyclone was a 996cc, 45-degree V-twin bevel-driven overhead camshaft engine. It was said to have been clocked at 111 mph in 1915. This motorcycle held the world record (jointly) for a motorcycle at auction for several years.
27) 1910 Winchester 6 HP
A report issued in late August 2013 by Worldwide Auctions revealed that a single Winchester 200 motorcycle (the ‘gun that won the West’) was still extant. The gun that won the West was manufactured by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1910. A gun enthusiast reportedly won the bike at auction and considered it to be ‘well purchased.’
28) 1907 Harley-Davidson “Strap Tank” Single
US$$715,000
March, 2015
Las Vegas, U.S.
Mecum MidAmerica set the highest valuation for the Cole Collection Harley-Davidson Strap Tank Single, projecting it would fetch $800,000 to $1,000,000.
29) 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer
US$852,500
March, 2015
Las Vegas, U.S.
The E.J. Cole Collection finished the day with the finest ever genuine bid for a motorcycle at auction, a hammer price of $775,000, which was translated to $852,500 with a buyer’s premium of 10 percent, for the 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer, an OHC V-twin Board Track Racer with a bevel-driven engine that reached speeds of 111 miles per hour (179 km/h). We were just a little short of our million dollar objective, but the bike was a big hit.
30) 1915 Harley-Davidson 11F Twin
$98,280
January, 2014
Las Vegas, U.S.
A Model 11F twin from 1915 was restored by Mike Parti, and it received 97 points at the Canyon City, Colorado, AMCA meet in May 2001. This is a stunning restoration of the first 3-speed Harley, a machine coveted by the cult of pre-1916 riders everywhere. This machine sold for $98,280 at Mecum Mid America’s Las Vegas 2014 auction.
31) 1950 Vincent Black Shadow Series-C
$98,720 (GBP£63,100)
November, 2014
London
In November 2014, a 1950 Vincent Black Shadow Series C with a detailed history sold for GBP£63,100 ($98,720).
32) 1939 Indian Four with sidecar
$99,000
March, 2015
Las Vegas
The F-head Fours of 1938 and ’39 were the last of the rigid-frame models, as succeeding models gained plunger suspension and 50 pounds. Many people consider this model the last of the sporty four-cylinder Indians as a result. As the company was still controlled by the DuPont family, a multitude of colours were available, and this eye-catching yellow and black example is a fine illustration. This 1939 Indian Four was part of the E.J. Cole Collection and sold for $99,000. It has been restored and is accompanied by a well-proportioned Indian sidecar with a spare wheel.
33) 1912 Harley-Davidson Single belt-drive
$115,000
November, 2011
Illinois
This 1912 belt-drive Harley-Davidson single, part of the Lee Roy Hartung Collection, was auctioned by Auctions America in November 2011. It runs flawlessly and is absolutely untouched. It was described as being in ‘time-warp untouched condition’ and sold for $115,000.
34) 1936 Brough Superior SS80 with Watsonian Sport Sidecar
$115,000
January, 2015
Las Vegas, U.S
The full story behind this 1936 Brough Superior SS80 with Watsonian Sport Sidecar is quite remarkable, even though it isn’t a matching numbers bike. A recent restoration at the time of sale, along with the fact that both sets of numbers were owned by the same person, make this 1936 Brough Superior SS80 outfit one of Bonhams’ most successful sales. It sold for $115,000 at the 2015 Las Vegas auction.
35) 1939 Indian Four
The Indian Four matching numbers model was sold as part of EJ Cole’s collection in March 2015, for $115,500.
36) 1909 Pierce Four
$115,500
March, 2015
Las Vegas, U.S
In 1907, Percy Pierce observed European two-wheeled industry to discover how to manufacture automobiles for Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company in the United States. The FN four-cylinder model was used as the basis for the Pierce engine, shaft drive, and fork design, although the Pierce engine used a T-head sidevalve design instead of an atmospheric inlet valve.
37) 1955 NSU Sportmax
$116,634 (sold for GBP£69,440)
April, 2014
Imperial War Museum, Duxford, U.K
At the end of the 1954 racing season, NSU announced the release of the new 250cc single-cylinder Sportmax. Many privateers got their first wins the following years on the Sportmax, which produced 28 horsepower @ 9,000 rpm. This Sportmax is arguably the most successful ever, having produced Grand Prix results for two of the all-time-greats.
38) 1913 Flying Merkel Model Seventy Twin
$117,000
January 2011
Las Vegas, U.S
This Flying Merkel, produced in 1913, is a pedal-start-only Model Seventy road bike with a 7hp, belt-driven V-Twin engine displacing 61 cubic inches (1000cc). This unchallenged icon of early American motorcycling history has been on static display in an important Long Island collection since March, 2003, when it was sold at Bonhams’ 2011 Las Vegas auction for $117,000.
39) 1916 Excelsior “Big Valve X” Board-Tracker
The Excelsior X introduced in June of 1915 during its debut created a big splash by winning the Boston 300-mile relay race against the Harley-Davidson and Indian teams. Soon after its debut, Carl Goudy rode an Excelsior X to victory at the Maywood Motordrome in Chicago by smashing all existing records in a 300-mile race. The X was known as the “Big Valve X” because it had big valves on its cylinders. Although it ran conventional two-valve heads, the intake valves were an astonishing 2½ inches wide, resulting in a fast bike.
40) 1975 Ducati 750SS ‘Round Case’
Ducati 750SSs were un-restored, one-owner bikes that still had the factory seals on their engines when purchased in May, 2008. The bike was never raced and sold for 117,000 in San Francisco in May, 2008. Bonhams auctioned it as a low-mileage, one-owner example of Ducati’s most famous ‘bevel drive’ bike.
41) 1912 Harley-Davidson X8E Big Twin
$117,300
January, 2015
Las Vegas, U.S
The 1912 Harley-Davidson X8E Big Twin comes with a distinctive paint job. According to legend, former owner Steve McQueen and his friend Von Dutch rattle-can painted the bike red during a late-night drinking session, ensuring that it will always retain its impromptu paint job. It was sold at Bonhams Las Vegas in January 2015 for $117,300 in full operating condition. It appears to be the original factory paint beneath what appears to be the original impromptu paint job.
42) 1914 Indian ‘Hendee Special’ 7 HP Twin
$126,500
March, 2014
Amelia Island, U.S.
An ‘Indian Hendee Special’ twin-cylinder Indian motorcycle is for sale in 100-year-old, completely original, still-running condition. This model is one of the few surviving examples of a very rare production mode in addition to being one of the most interesting examples of early motorcycles. The motorcycle features an electric starter, the first of its kind.
43) 1911 Flying Merkel Model 50
$126,500
October, 2006
Los Angeles, U.S
The Flying Merkel Model 50, which was restored in 1911, was part of the Otis Chandler Collection and sold by Gooding & Co in 2006 for US$126,500.
44) 1915 Indian 8-valve Racer
US$147,125
August, 2010
Pebble Beach, U.S.
An Indian 8-valve racer sold for US$147,125 at Pebble Beach in August 2010.
45) 1913 Henderson Four
In 1911, William and Thomas Henderson founded the Henderson Motorcycle company, producing a prototype that same year. A 934cc (57 cubic inch) in-line four-cylinder motorcycle went into production in January 1912, guaranteeing the company’s success. Despite its high price of $325, the motorcycle’s smoothness and power guaranteed its success. It was part of the Otis Chandler Collection.
46) 1955 Vincent Black Prince Project
US$153,094 (sold for £91,100)
June, 2014
Oxford, U.K.
Philip Vincent thought that weather protection combined with engine and gearbox enclosure would make the Vincent Series-D ‘the ultimate gentleman’s motorcycle,’ but the late delivery of the glassfibre panels – in addition to the fact that demand for traditionally styled models continued – caused over half the production to leave the Stevenage factory unenclosed.
47) 1940 Harley-Davidson EL
US$159,000
January, 2014
Las Vegas, U.S.
It’s hard to top an American motorcycle when it comes to historical significance. The 1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, a 61-cubic-inch (1000cc) V-twin with overhead valves and a recirculating oiling system, was technologically advanced for its day.
48) 1934 Crocker Speedway Bike
A 1934 Crockett Speedway Racer (Lot S73) was valued at between $150,000 and $180,000 and sold for $159,500.
49) 1955 Vincent Victor Series D prototype
US$176,801 (sold for GBP £107,100)
April, 2011
Stafford, U.K.
Weather protection and engine and gearbox enclosure were added to the Vincent in 1955, so that it might become the ‘gentleman’s motorcycle’ par excellence. Of the enclosed Black Knight and Black Prince models, a little more than 200 V-twins were built before production ended at the end of 1955, as well as a single prototype of an enclosed 500cc single-cylinder machine.
50) 1934 Indian Sport Scout
US $ 177,500
November, 2006
San Francisco, U.S
An Indian Sport Scout owned by Steve McQueen was auctioned off for US$177,500 at a Bonhams motorcycle and memorabilia sale in San Francisco in 2006. Another motorcycle on the list with Steve McQueen as part of its provenance was Indian, McQueen’s favourite brand.
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