Rare Gems: The Priciest Bikes

From choppers to superbikes, the world of motorcycles is as diverse as the enthusiasts who ride them. When it comes to top-tiered prices, you can expect the pinnacle of cutting-edge design of the day or another time in history. Here are the 20 most expensive motorcycles ever built.

Matthieu PELLETIER on Wikimedia Commons

1. 1951 Vincent Black Lightning

This famous motorcycle sold for $929,000 in 2018. It's one of only 19 left but this specific one sold for much higher than any others because it was famously owned and ridden by professional racer Jack Ehret who broke the speed record with it. 

Kreusch~commonswiki on Wikimedia Commons

2. 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer

This bike broke the record for highest price paid for a motorcycle back in 2015 when the Cyclone owned by Steve McQueen was sold for $852,000. The original Cyclone was sold for $350 in the 2010s.

3. Harley-Davidson Bucherer Blue Edition

This flashy bike was deigned in partnership with watchmaker Carl F. Bucherer. It's the epitome of outrageous luxury with gold-plated pieces, diamond accents, and an air-cooled 1.8 liter V-Twin engine. At $1.9 million it was the most expensive motorbike when it came out in 2018. 

Reinhold Möller on Wikimedia Commons

4. BMS Nehmesis

Even more outrageous and expensive than the blue Harley is BMS Chopper's Nehmesis. Valued at $3 million, it features a gold-plated frame, a huge 14-inch rear tire, and cutting-edge technology designed for the ultimate riding experience.

Tony Hisgett on Wikimedia Commons

5. Hildebrand & Wolfmuller 

This one may look more like a bicycle than a motorcycle but at $3.5 million you'd better believe it has an engine. Created in the late 19th century, it was the first production motorcycle every built and has a maximum speed of around 30 miles per hour.

Zweiradmuseum Neckarsulm on Wikimedia Commons

6. Harley-Davidson Cosmic Starship

Although the engine is nothing extraordinary, Harley-Davidson's Cosmic Starship is a complete work of art, hand-painted by famous artist Jack Armstrong. It was sold for $3 million and has since resurfaced on the market for $15 million. 

Tuxyso on Wikimedia Commons

7. Ecosse ES1 Spirit

Because only ten of these bad boys were ever made, they're extremely sought-after and valued $3.5 million. The designers took inspiration from Formula 1 cars to create this superbike with a 200 horsepower engine that can reach a speed of 230 miles per hour.

driver Photographer on Wikimedia Commons

8. 1949 AJS E90 Porcupine

This beauty is considered by many to be the most stunning motorcycle ever made but with an impressive top speed of 135 miles per hour, it isn't just a pretty bike. Only four were ever made and they've been valued at $7 million. 

Craig Howell on Wikimedia Commons

9. Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Fighter

At a whopping $11 million, the Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Fighter is the most expensive motorcycle in the world. It was originally meant to retail at $110,000 but its innovative design and steampunk style made it irresistible to motorcycle collectors everywhere. 

Andreas Praefcke on Wikimedia Commons

10. 1936 Crocker “Small Tank”

This bike makes any motorcycle lover giddy. It's a beautiful example of designer Al Crocker’s handiwork. Just over 100 of these were built and they're valued at close to $1 million. 

Jeff Dean on Wikimedia Commons

11. 1932 Brough Superior 800cc Model BS4 Project 

This bike was one of the first to use a four-cylinder engine as opposed to a single cylinder. There are only seven left out of the ten that were built and one of them was recently sold for $480,000.

Thruxton on Wikimedia Commons

12. Dodge Tomahawk V10 Superbike

With a top speed of 420 miles per hour, the Dodge Tomahawk is the fastest motorcycle ever built. But all that speed doesn't come cheap: its price tag is $550,000. 

Corvair Owner on Wikimedia Commons

13. Ecosse FE Ti XX 

With a 228 horsepower engine, this motorbike is known for its speed. To achieve such power, it was built using quite a bit of titanium and carbon fiber, keeping it super lightweight. Its pricetag is around $300K. 

big-ashb on Wikimedia Commons

14. Ducati Testa Stretta NCR Macchia Nera

At $225,000, the Testa Stretta NCR Macchia Nera is one of Duacti's most luxurious builds. The bike's legendary designer Aldo Drudi built the body out of titanium so it would be lighter and quicker. 

Stefan Krause on Wikimedia Commons

15. Ducati Desmosedici D16RR NCR M16

Widely ranked as one of the best motorcycles in the world due to its success on the race track, the Desmosedici is a powerful V4 engine race bike. Ducati made a limited run of 1,500 street legal versions that retail for upwards of $235,000.

StealthFX on Wikimedia Commons

16. Legendary British Vintage Black

Although it may not be the fastest bike on the road, this vintage motorcycle is definitely a head-turner. It has a top speed of 125 miles per hour, a 250 cc engine, and is one of the most iconic British bikes. It's valued at $400,000. 

Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles en Classic Motorcycle Archive on Wikimedia Commons

17. 1907 Harley-Davidson “Strap Tank”

This extremely rare single-cylinder Harley from the first three years of the company's existence sold for $715,000 in 2017. That seems like a lot of money for an almost 120-year-old motorcycle with a top speed of a fast bicycle.

State Library of Queensland, Australia on Wikimedia Commons

18. 1939 BMW RS255 Rennsport Kompressor

Lothar Spurzem on Wikimedia Commons

19. 1926 Brough Superior SS100

Craig Howell on Wikimedia Commons

20. Suzuki AEM Carbon Fiber Hayabusa

Zero wolf on Wikimedia Commons