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.