Motorcycles
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
Harley-Davidson Strap Tank
1
1907
2015 SOLD for $ 650K before fees by Mecum
Around 1900, the construction of vehicles attracts the ambition of mechanical engineers. Many of them are trying to implement an engine on a bicycle, tricycle or four wheeler. The bike would seem less complex but raises difficult issues of power, stability and durability of autonomy.
The city of Milwaukee has a specialty for machine tools and railways and is a natural place for such developments. For example, Merkel is a manufacturer of engines and already assembles motorcycles. Evinrude designs gas engines for automobiles.
In such a suitable environment, two very young men, William Harley and Arthur Davidson, build their first prototype of a motorized bicycle. In 1903, after two years of effort, it is a disappointment: the machine is not able to climb hills without assistance of pedals.
This failure galvanizes the inventors. Their audacity, which will be winning, is to equip their two wheelers with increasingly larger engines, ensuring forever the difference between pedal bicycle and motorcycle. In 1906, they make 50 units of their first commercial model, the Harley-Davidson strap tank. This fancy designation describes the nickel-plated steel bands suspending the fuel and oil tanks from the frame.
On March 21, 2015, Mecum sold for $ 650K before fees a Harley-Davidson strap tank (single cylinder) made in 1907, lot S62. This rare machine is in excellent unrestored condition after being held until 1993 by the son of its first owner.
The city of Milwaukee has a specialty for machine tools and railways and is a natural place for such developments. For example, Merkel is a manufacturer of engines and already assembles motorcycles. Evinrude designs gas engines for automobiles.
In such a suitable environment, two very young men, William Harley and Arthur Davidson, build their first prototype of a motorized bicycle. In 1903, after two years of effort, it is a disappointment: the machine is not able to climb hills without assistance of pedals.
This failure galvanizes the inventors. Their audacity, which will be winning, is to equip their two wheelers with increasingly larger engines, ensuring forever the difference between pedal bicycle and motorcycle. In 1906, they make 50 units of their first commercial model, the Harley-Davidson strap tank. This fancy designation describes the nickel-plated steel bands suspending the fuel and oil tanks from the frame.
On March 21, 2015, Mecum sold for $ 650K before fees a Harley-Davidson strap tank (single cylinder) made in 1907, lot S62. This rare machine is in excellent unrestored condition after being held until 1993 by the son of its first owner.
1907 @HarleyDavidson Strap Tank sells for $650,000 at the EJ Cole Collection auction in #LasVegas. pic.twitter.com/xYY6SJ8qB2
— Mecum Auctions (@mecum) March 21, 20152
1908
2023 SOLD for $ 935K by Mecum
The production of bikes by Harley-Davidson increased in 1908, including with the original 'Strap Tank' model.
Less than a dozen 1908 Strap Tank bikes are surviving. One of them had been in 1941 a barn find near Milwaukee in a complete condition. It remained in Wisconsin for 66 years in the home of its happy finder.
Expertly restored, it was sold for $ 935K by Mecum on January 28, 2023, lot S174.1. Its original tank, wheels, engine belt pulley, seat cover and muffler sleeve are included with the sale.
That year saw significant new developments, including the incorporation of the company, the expansion of the plant and the first prototype with a twin engine.
In 1909 their first V-Twin was a design failure whose production was limited to 27 units prepared for promotion and not released for trade. After a full redesign including a modified frame, it goes better with the 1911 V-Twin referenced 7D of which 5,625 examples are manufactured.
Less than a dozen 1908 Strap Tank bikes are surviving. One of them had been in 1941 a barn find near Milwaukee in a complete condition. It remained in Wisconsin for 66 years in the home of its happy finder.
Expertly restored, it was sold for $ 935K by Mecum on January 28, 2023, lot S174.1. Its original tank, wheels, engine belt pulley, seat cover and muffler sleeve are included with the sale.
That year saw significant new developments, including the incorporation of the company, the expansion of the plant and the first prototype with a twin engine.
In 1909 their first V-Twin was a design failure whose production was limited to 27 units prepared for promotion and not released for trade. After a full redesign including a modified frame, it goes better with the 1911 V-Twin referenced 7D of which 5,625 examples are manufactured.
SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!
— Mecum Auctions (@mecum) January 29, 2023
This 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank is among the oldest surviving models of this extremely rare breed.
Click the link for more details: https://t.co/BN2su8kWTK#MecumVegas #MecumVegasMotorcycles #Mecum #MecumAuctions #MecumOnMotorTrend pic.twitter.com/XjlRlCGTEw
1915 Cyclone by Joerns
Intro
Fred Joerns succeeded to an early motorcycle manufacturing company in St. Paul, MN. More concerned in track racing than in road, he released in 1913 the Cyclone which was one of the most extraordinary models in the history of that sport.
The Cyclone had a very new concept with an OHC (Over Head Camshaft) system that significantly reduced the number of mechanical transfers. This model was timed on track at over 170 km/h, breaking the speed record very far ahead of Indian and Excelsior. It was not until 1925 that a Brough Superior SS100 could go faster. A poor lubrication system did not enable the Cyclone to enter endurance racing.
At all times, competition is expensive. The mechanical parts of the Cyclone were fragile. The Joerns Motor Manufacturing Company was not interested in industrialization and investment and had to cease its operations as early as 1916. No US constructor tried to continue their OHC V-engine concept that had been so promising.
Only six examples of the Cyclone survive.
The Cyclone had a very new concept with an OHC (Over Head Camshaft) system that significantly reduced the number of mechanical transfers. This model was timed on track at over 170 km/h, breaking the speed record very far ahead of Indian and Excelsior. It was not until 1925 that a Brough Superior SS100 could go faster. A poor lubrication system did not enable the Cyclone to enter endurance racing.
At all times, competition is expensive. The mechanical parts of the Cyclone were fragile. The Joerns Motor Manufacturing Company was not interested in industrialization and investment and had to cease its operations as early as 1916. No US constructor tried to continue their OHC V-engine concept that had been so promising.
Only six examples of the Cyclone survive.
1
2025 SOLD for $ 1.32M by Mecum
A 1915 Cyclone with its 1 liter V-Twin engine was sold for $ 1.32M by Mecum on February 1, 2025, lot S106.2.
The lot includes the Cyclone sales brochure. This 14 page document is visible in the catalogue. It reminds two speed records achieved by the model, one mile in 35 2/5 seconds in October 1914 and ten miles in 8.14 minutes in February 1915.
The bike is painted in yellow canary which was the signature color of the brand.
The lot includes the Cyclone sales brochure. This 14 page document is visible in the catalogue. It reminds two speed records achieved by the model, one mile in 35 2/5 seconds in October 1914 and ten miles in 8.14 minutes in February 1915.
The bike is painted in yellow canary which was the signature color of the brand.
SOLD for a final price of $1,320,000!
— Mecum Auctions (@mecum) February 2, 2025
The 1915 Cyclone V-Twin from the Urban Hirsch Collection has claimed the auction record for a Cyclone V-Twin motorcycle: https://t.co/veSSvklJSn#SOLD #MecumMotorcycles #Mecum #MecumAuctions pic.twitter.com/DkQ1N40lmB
2
ex McQueen
2015 SOLD for $ 775K before fees by Mecum
A yellow painted Cyclone made in 1915 was bought by its current owner in 1984 in the auction of the Steve McQueen estate. It was sold for $ 775K before fees by Mecum on March 21, 2015, lot S57.
$775,000 achieved for the ex-Steve McQueen 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer. A new world-record for a Cyclone! SOLD! pic.twitter.com/6iaIRxMBlq
— Mecum Auctions (@mecum) March 21, 2015Crocker
Intro
At the time of the pioneers of motorcycle industry, Al Crocker is an engineer for the Thor brand and then for Indian. On leaving the factory to become a regional dealer of Indian, he pursues his passion as a former racer and imagines how he will improve the machines, first for dirty track racing and then for speedway track with the Crocker Speedway model.
Assisted by Paul Bigsby, Crocker founded in 1936 in Los Angeles a workshop to manufacture roadster bikes with his two-cylinder engine in a 45 degree V. This significant innovation makes the bike heavier but offers power and speed capable to surpass Indian and Harley Davidson.
A legend narrates that Crocker promised a money back guarantee if one of his motorcycles was overcome by another American bike. History does not seem to confirm. It would have been somehow a bluff as technologies change quickly and Crocker's V Twin had from its debut a lesser performance than the JAP engine that equipped the Brough in England.
Each Crocker V Twin motorcycle is assembled individually on customer order and two units are necessarily different. A major evolution appears in 1938 with the Big Tank option. When the brand ceases all operations in 1942, less than 100 Crocker V Twin motorcycles had been built. The exact figure cannot be known because of inconsistencies in assigning the serial numbers but this bike is undoubtedly of great rarity.
From 1938 the two main options of the Crocker V-Twin were the displacement of the engine which could be increased on demand from 1 liter up to 1.5 liters, and the tank volume which was 2.5 gallons for the basic Small tank.
Assisted by Paul Bigsby, Crocker founded in 1936 in Los Angeles a workshop to manufacture roadster bikes with his two-cylinder engine in a 45 degree V. This significant innovation makes the bike heavier but offers power and speed capable to surpass Indian and Harley Davidson.
A legend narrates that Crocker promised a money back guarantee if one of his motorcycles was overcome by another American bike. History does not seem to confirm. It would have been somehow a bluff as technologies change quickly and Crocker's V Twin had from its debut a lesser performance than the JAP engine that equipped the Brough in England.
Each Crocker V Twin motorcycle is assembled individually on customer order and two units are necessarily different. A major evolution appears in 1938 with the Big Tank option. When the brand ceases all operations in 1942, less than 100 Crocker V Twin motorcycles had been built. The exact figure cannot be known because of inconsistencies in assigning the serial numbers but this bike is undoubtedly of great rarity.
From 1938 the two main options of the Crocker V-Twin were the displacement of the engine which could be increased on demand from 1 liter up to 1.5 liters, and the tank volume which was 2.5 gallons for the basic Small tank.
1
1938 Small Tank
2025 SOLD for $ 880K by Mecum
On January 26, 2019, Mecum sold for $ 420K a 1937 Crocker Small tank 61-25, lot S151. The same auction house sold a largely rebuilt 1938 Small tank V-Twin 1 liter for $ 340K on August 20, 2016, lot S169.
A 1938 Crocker Small Tank with its 1 liter V-Twin in matching numbers was sold for $ 880K by Mecum on February 1, 2025, lot S108.2.
A 1938 Crocker Small Tank with its 1 liter V-Twin in matching numbers was sold for $ 880K by Mecum on February 1, 2025, lot S108.2.
2
1939 Big Tank
2019 SOLD for $ 700K by Mecum
A Crocker Big tank made in 1939 was sold for $ 700K from a lower estimate of $ 400K by Mecum on January 25; 2019, lot F111. It retained its original V-Twin 1 liter engine. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Until the end of production in 1942 the Crocker motorcycles are produced on order, manually and individually. Then becoming a subcontractor to Douglas Aircraft for aviation parts, Crocker ceases all activity in motorcycles. He was right : times had changed and such activity was no longer viable without an actual production line.
A V Twin with Big Tank made in 1942 was sold for $ 350K before fees by Mecum on March 21, 2015, lot S69.
Until the end of production in 1942 the Crocker motorcycles are produced on order, manually and individually. Then becoming a subcontractor to Douglas Aircraft for aviation parts, Crocker ceases all activity in motorcycles. He was right : times had changed and such activity was no longer viable without an actual production line.
A V Twin with Big Tank made in 1942 was sold for $ 350K before fees by Mecum on March 21, 2015, lot S69.
1951 Black Lightning by Vincent HRD
2018 SOLD for $ 930K by Bonhams
The British brand Vincent HRD introduces in 1948 the Series C that resolutely focuses to the class of the sport motorcycles, competing with BMW. The Black Shadow of the Series C is the high end for the road. It meets a great success with 1,507 units produced in four years.
In 1948 at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Rollie Free was timed at 241 km/h on a modified English motorcycle made by Vincent HRD. This new American speed record on motorbikes is well below pre-war performances in Europe by BMW, Brough and Gilera but draws the attention to Vincent HRD's all-new Black Shadow model.
Vincent HRD now takes all the financial risks to produce the fastest bike in the world. The Black Lightning is the commercial model based on the motorcycle modified for Rollie Free. 31 units are built between 1948 and 1952.
The Black Lightning is a Black Shadow stripped of the equipments required for road homologation that generate weight and loss of speed. A similar strategy was later practiced by Ferrari with cars in the Competizione variant.
The Vincent Black's (Shadow and Lightning, and later Knight and Prince) are distinguished by the black finish of their metal cases, in contrast to the fashion for chrome plated machines.
When Vincent HRD was mortgaged for the first time in 1949, the chief engineer Phil Irving returned to his native Australia where he remained the very active vice president and then president of the Vincent HRD Owners Club until he died in 1992.
This effective Australian connection attracts to Vincent HRD's factory in Stevenage an Australian biker named Tony McAlpine who was trying his luck in Europe for the 1951 season. With the help of Phil Vincent, McAlpine prepares the Black Lightning that he will bring back home. The tests are conclusive : his bike is faster than the reference machine of the factory.
The Black Lightning with its 998 cc engine is not compatible with the grand prix of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme limited to 500 cc. McAlpine's bike is almost new when it arrives in Australia. McAlpine does not benefit from the efficiency of his settings : he sells it for preparing the next European season.
In 1953 Jack Ehret, third owner of that Black Lightning, pushes it up to 233 km/h, surpassing the previous Australian record by 35 km/h. Ehret maintained his Black Lightning in very good condition through a sparing use until he sold it in 1999.
This Black Lightning was sold for $ 930K by Bonhams on January 25, 2018, lot 131. It had been restarted in 2014 by a specialist of the former brand. The removed parts and the original sidecar are joined to the lot.
Vincent accepts special orders. On January 7, 2016, Bonhams listed a 1952 Black Shadow that includes some Black Lightning features for fenders and foot control. It passed, lot 130.
With British humor, Vincent also offered in its catalog a white Black Shadow where the absence of black finish reveals the bare aluminum. Only 15 White Shadows were made and this variant is highly sought after by collectors.
The conformance with the original configuration is very important. A White Shadow made in 1950 was sold for $ 111K by Bonhams on 9 May 2009. Having been twice repainted, it had a red frame. After regaining the normal condition for a White Shadow through a skillful restoration, it was sold for $ 225K on January 8, 2015, also by Bonhams.
It is not so simple. The 2016 sale by Bonhams offered another one of the 15 White Shadows, made in 1951. It is also red painted ! The Vincent Owner's Club states that this White is the only one among all the Shadows to have been factory painted in red by Vincent. It was sold for $ 430K, lot 135.
In 1948 at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Rollie Free was timed at 241 km/h on a modified English motorcycle made by Vincent HRD. This new American speed record on motorbikes is well below pre-war performances in Europe by BMW, Brough and Gilera but draws the attention to Vincent HRD's all-new Black Shadow model.
Vincent HRD now takes all the financial risks to produce the fastest bike in the world. The Black Lightning is the commercial model based on the motorcycle modified for Rollie Free. 31 units are built between 1948 and 1952.
The Black Lightning is a Black Shadow stripped of the equipments required for road homologation that generate weight and loss of speed. A similar strategy was later practiced by Ferrari with cars in the Competizione variant.
The Vincent Black's (Shadow and Lightning, and later Knight and Prince) are distinguished by the black finish of their metal cases, in contrast to the fashion for chrome plated machines.
When Vincent HRD was mortgaged for the first time in 1949, the chief engineer Phil Irving returned to his native Australia where he remained the very active vice president and then president of the Vincent HRD Owners Club until he died in 1992.
This effective Australian connection attracts to Vincent HRD's factory in Stevenage an Australian biker named Tony McAlpine who was trying his luck in Europe for the 1951 season. With the help of Phil Vincent, McAlpine prepares the Black Lightning that he will bring back home. The tests are conclusive : his bike is faster than the reference machine of the factory.
The Black Lightning with its 998 cc engine is not compatible with the grand prix of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme limited to 500 cc. McAlpine's bike is almost new when it arrives in Australia. McAlpine does not benefit from the efficiency of his settings : he sells it for preparing the next European season.
In 1953 Jack Ehret, third owner of that Black Lightning, pushes it up to 233 km/h, surpassing the previous Australian record by 35 km/h. Ehret maintained his Black Lightning in very good condition through a sparing use until he sold it in 1999.
This Black Lightning was sold for $ 930K by Bonhams on January 25, 2018, lot 131. It had been restarted in 2014 by a specialist of the former brand. The removed parts and the original sidecar are joined to the lot.
Vincent accepts special orders. On January 7, 2016, Bonhams listed a 1952 Black Shadow that includes some Black Lightning features for fenders and foot control. It passed, lot 130.
With British humor, Vincent also offered in its catalog a white Black Shadow where the absence of black finish reveals the bare aluminum. Only 15 White Shadows were made and this variant is highly sought after by collectors.
The conformance with the original configuration is very important. A White Shadow made in 1950 was sold for $ 111K by Bonhams on 9 May 2009. Having been twice repainted, it had a red frame. After regaining the normal condition for a White Shadow through a skillful restoration, it was sold for $ 225K on January 8, 2015, also by Bonhams.
It is not so simple. The 2016 sale by Bonhams offered another one of the 15 White Shadows, made in 1951. It is also red painted ! The Vincent Owner's Club states that this White is the only one among all the Shadows to have been factory painted in red by Vincent. It was sold for $ 430K, lot 135.
(1969)-1994 Easy Rider Chopper
2014 SOLD for $ 1.35M before fees by Profiles in History (canceled)
In 1969, the year of the Woodstock festival, Easy Rider is a turning point in the history of cinema, one of the few victories of the underground over the establishment. Far from industrial super shows that begin to bore the public, the film is completely designed by its two main actors : Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper.
Its theme is the confrontation of two bikers to the reactionary traditionalism of the southern United States. The very title of the movie is a challenge as it is indeed an expression of hippie slang related to sexual freedom. The film's success is so high that the wording becomes a symbol of the freedom offered by the bike to the marginals.
Four classic Harley Davidson police motorcycles dating from 1949 to 1952 are reworked, two for each actor, taking for the requirements of the film the unusual form of choppers with long forks.
Three Easy Rider bikes were stolen before the end of the shooting and have probably been dismantled. The only survivor was deliberately damaged in the crash sequence. It was presented by Fonda to his assistant Dan Haggerty who returned it to its original configuration, and it was afterwards displayed for several years in a museum.
This iconic motorcycle from the heyday of the hippie dream was listed for sale by Profiles in History on October 18, 2014 with a lower estimate of $ 1M, lot 1121 here linked on the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
The catalogue had an important additional information. In 1994 a celebrity vehicle exhibitor. commissioned Haggerty to build a replica. That bike included some salvaged screen used parts from one of the original motorcycles. It was correctly identified as a replica when exhibited in a museum in 1998.
Haggerty confirmed the screen used authenticity of the bike for sale but Fonda did not take a position despite a previous letter of authentication. The 2014 bidding reached a highly successful $ 1.35M before fees which was not confirmed in the result list, certainly cancelled during the sale. It appeared that Haggerty had in fact authenticated both bikes.
An example with VIN: 52FL8188 also ex Haggerty was sold for $ 225K before fees by Worldwide Auctioneers on August 31, 2024, lot 641. It had been retrieved in parts but keeps its original engine. It may be the bike narrated above, whose VIN number was not indicated in the catalogue.
The example that is now identified as the 1969 Easy Rider chopper (VIN: 53FL5070) was sold for $ 300K by Propstore on March 12, 2024, lot 86. Some impacts of the destruction in the final scene have been observed. Fonda and Haggerty both died in the mean time between the auctions.
Its theme is the confrontation of two bikers to the reactionary traditionalism of the southern United States. The very title of the movie is a challenge as it is indeed an expression of hippie slang related to sexual freedom. The film's success is so high that the wording becomes a symbol of the freedom offered by the bike to the marginals.
Four classic Harley Davidson police motorcycles dating from 1949 to 1952 are reworked, two for each actor, taking for the requirements of the film the unusual form of choppers with long forks.
Three Easy Rider bikes were stolen before the end of the shooting and have probably been dismantled. The only survivor was deliberately damaged in the crash sequence. It was presented by Fonda to his assistant Dan Haggerty who returned it to its original configuration, and it was afterwards displayed for several years in a museum.
This iconic motorcycle from the heyday of the hippie dream was listed for sale by Profiles in History on October 18, 2014 with a lower estimate of $ 1M, lot 1121 here linked on the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
The catalogue had an important additional information. In 1994 a celebrity vehicle exhibitor. commissioned Haggerty to build a replica. That bike included some salvaged screen used parts from one of the original motorcycles. It was correctly identified as a replica when exhibited in a museum in 1998.
Haggerty confirmed the screen used authenticity of the bike for sale but Fonda did not take a position despite a previous letter of authentication. The 2014 bidding reached a highly successful $ 1.35M before fees which was not confirmed in the result list, certainly cancelled during the sale. It appeared that Haggerty had in fact authenticated both bikes.
An example with VIN: 52FL8188 also ex Haggerty was sold for $ 225K before fees by Worldwide Auctioneers on August 31, 2024, lot 641. It had been retrieved in parts but keeps its original engine. It may be the bike narrated above, whose VIN number was not indicated in the catalogue.
The example that is now identified as the 1969 Easy Rider chopper (VIN: 53FL5070) was sold for $ 300K by Propstore on March 12, 2024, lot 86. Some impacts of the destruction in the final scene have been observed. Fonda and Haggerty both died in the mean time between the auctions.
1990 Harley Davidson ex Johnny Hallyday
2022 SOLD for € 470K by Artcurial
Johnny Hallyday, the leading French rock and roll and pop singer, was eager of cars and bikes. In 1989 he decides to cross the USA from Miami to Los Angeles.
The trip of five bikers starts in February 1990. Johnny is using a brand new high end Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage 1340.
The bike is reworked in 1995 and presented to Johnny by a sponsor. The singer names it Laura Eyes as a tribute to the color of the eyes of his 12 years old beloved daughter. He rides it it in the roads of New Mexico for his English speaking clip Can't stop wanting you.
On 5, 6 and 11 September, 1998 Johnny rides that bike for entering one of the most spectacular shows in a fully filled Stade de France in a three day show attended by 240,000 spectators overall. In that event that star bike was the prize of a contest managed for Johnny's fans.
The winner kept it proudly at home until he consigned it to Artcurial. It was sold for € 470K on March 18, 2022, lot 187. 20 % of the proceeds were offered by the seller to a children's charity created by Johnny's widow.
The trip of five bikers starts in February 1990. Johnny is using a brand new high end Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage 1340.
The bike is reworked in 1995 and presented to Johnny by a sponsor. The singer names it Laura Eyes as a tribute to the color of the eyes of his 12 years old beloved daughter. He rides it it in the roads of New Mexico for his English speaking clip Can't stop wanting you.
On 5, 6 and 11 September, 1998 Johnny rides that bike for entering one of the most spectacular shows in a fully filled Stade de France in a three day show attended by 240,000 spectators overall. In that event that star bike was the prize of a contest managed for Johnny's fans.
The winner kept it proudly at home until he consigned it to Artcurial. It was sold for € 470K on March 18, 2022, lot 187. 20 % of the proceeds were offered by the seller to a children's charity created by Johnny's widow.
1991 Terminator 2 Screen Used Harley Davidson
2018 SOLD for $ 480K by Profiles in History
From the first film of the series in 1984, the towering bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger is the Terminator.
Terminator 2, subtitled Judgment Day, is released in 1991. The most expensive film ever made at that time, it was much praised for its visual effects.
The poster features Terminator in leather attire, handsomely riding his bike and raising a shotgun from one of the most spectacular actions of the film.
The screen used motorcycle, a black 1991 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, was sold for $ 480K on June 5, 2018 by Profiles in History, lot 2324 here linked on Heritage Auctions website. It was sold on a bill of sale and untested with 392 miles on the odometer.
Terminator 2, subtitled Judgment Day, is released in 1991. The most expensive film ever made at that time, it was much praised for its visual effects.
The poster features Terminator in leather attire, handsomely riding his bike and raising a shotgun from one of the most spectacular actions of the film.
The screen used motorcycle, a black 1991 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, was sold for $ 480K on June 5, 2018 by Profiles in History, lot 2324 here linked on Heritage Auctions website. It was sold on a bill of sale and untested with 392 miles on the odometer.
2007 Ducati Desmosedici
2024 SOLD for £ 400K by Iconic
Based in Bologna, the Ducati company had been founded in 1926 as a maker of vacuum tubes and other components for the radio. They maintained the production under government control after the factory was destroyed by a bombing during the second world war. They released in 1950 their first model of motorcycles.
In 1970 Ducati targeted the competition with a Twin engine made of one horizontal and one horizontal and branded by them as the L-Twin. The early model was a 500 cc.
In 1972 the Imola 200 race was created for motorcycles on the model of the 200 miles of Daytona car competition. Ducati caught this opportunity to develop a 750 cc bike with the L-Twin and a new valve system enabling a high rpm performance. The Ducati 750 Imola Desmo was built in eight units especially for targeting that race. It finished first and second but soon became non competitive against a new MV Agusta. Desmo refers to the desmodromic valve technology.
In 1973 after a management change Ducati stopped the work team, opening the way to the lasting Japanese domination, and released the road going 750 SuperSport with an Imola option.
A new MotoGP class was defined in 2002 to promote the overpowered 4 stroke engines with a displacement increase from 500cc to 990cc in the next season. This change triggered the come back of Ducati in Grand Prix. The new model, released in 2003, is the Desmosedici GP with 16 valves which was four per cylinder in a V4 configuration. The figure after the GP reference is the last digit of the year. The GP3 can reach 320 km/h and weighs 145 Kg.
In 2007 the GP rules were changed to lower the maximum displacement down to 800 cc. Ducati followed. The GP7 has a top speed of 305 km/h and weighs a mere 148 Kg.
On August 25, 2024 two GP bikes were auctioned by Iconic Auctioneers.
The 2003 GP3 989cc was sold for £ 200K, lot 515. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
A 2007 GP7 799cc freshly rebuilt with period correct corsa parts was sold for £ 400K, lot 517. Raced by Casey Stoner, it had won the 2007 MotoGP world championship. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The RR is a road legal version released in 2008.
In 1970 Ducati targeted the competition with a Twin engine made of one horizontal and one horizontal and branded by them as the L-Twin. The early model was a 500 cc.
In 1972 the Imola 200 race was created for motorcycles on the model of the 200 miles of Daytona car competition. Ducati caught this opportunity to develop a 750 cc bike with the L-Twin and a new valve system enabling a high rpm performance. The Ducati 750 Imola Desmo was built in eight units especially for targeting that race. It finished first and second but soon became non competitive against a new MV Agusta. Desmo refers to the desmodromic valve technology.
In 1973 after a management change Ducati stopped the work team, opening the way to the lasting Japanese domination, and released the road going 750 SuperSport with an Imola option.
A new MotoGP class was defined in 2002 to promote the overpowered 4 stroke engines with a displacement increase from 500cc to 990cc in the next season. This change triggered the come back of Ducati in Grand Prix. The new model, released in 2003, is the Desmosedici GP with 16 valves which was four per cylinder in a V4 configuration. The figure after the GP reference is the last digit of the year. The GP3 can reach 320 km/h and weighs 145 Kg.
In 2007 the GP rules were changed to lower the maximum displacement down to 800 cc. Ducati followed. The GP7 has a top speed of 305 km/h and weighs a mere 148 Kg.
On August 25, 2024 two GP bikes were auctioned by Iconic Auctioneers.
The 2003 GP3 989cc was sold for £ 200K, lot 515. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
A 2007 GP7 799cc freshly rebuilt with period correct corsa parts was sold for £ 400K, lot 517. Raced by Casey Stoner, it had won the 2007 MotoGP world championship. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The RR is a road legal version released in 2008.
2025 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR
2026 for sale on February 24 by Heritage
2025 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR - Serial Number 1, Odometer: 0 Miles : For sale by Heritage on February 24, 2026, lot 1, to support The Promise Fund's mission to increase survivorship from breast and cervical cancer. Significance of this brand new bike in Harley-Davidson's history.
The 2025 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR represents a landmark in the brand's history as its most powerful, most expensive, and most performance-oriented production motorcycle to date. This limited-edition model draws directly from Harley-Davidson's dominance in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers racing series—a competition that pits heavily modified touring "bagger" motorcycles against each other on road courses, where Harley's factory team has secured multiple championships since the series began in 2020. The RR (standing for "Race Replica") embodies Harley's evolution from its traditional cruiser roots toward high-performance engineering, blending race-proven technology with street-legal touring capability while maintaining the iconic V-Twin character. It's a celebration of the brand's racing success, particularly rider Kyle Wyman's back-to-back titles, and marks a shift in Harley's Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) division to prioritize lightweight materials, advanced suspension, and raw power over chrome-heavy aesthetics.
Key to its significance is the Screamin' Eagle 131 cubic-inch (2,147cc) Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin engine, the largest and most potent air-cooled powerplant Harley has ever offered in a production bike. It delivers a claimed 153 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 150 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm, achieved through upgrades like CNC-ported cylinder heads, a high-lift camshaft, high-flow injectors, a 68mm throttle body, and a full titanium Akrapovič exhaust system that's over 10 pounds lighter than standard. This engine size was chosen to match the maximum displacement allowed for air-cooled bikes in King of the Baggers racing, and its throttle mapping is inspired by Wyman's championship-winning machine. The bike's carbon fiber and Kevlar bodywork (including the fairing, saddlebags, and fender), billet aluminum swingarm (18 pounds and 10% stiffer than stock), and Öhlins suspension—featuring a 43mm front fork and dual rear shocks with remote reservoirs—reduce weight to 785 pounds ready-to-ride while increasing ground clearance by 2.3 inches and lean angles to 36 degrees left and 35 degrees right. Brembo GP4-RX front brakes, a six-speed transmission with back-cut shift dogs, and advanced electronics like cornering ABS and traction control (with a Track Plus mode that disables linked braking) further enhance its track-ready credentials, all backed by a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Production is strictly limited to 131 units worldwide—a nod to the engine's displacement—hand-built on a temporary line in Milwaukee with up to 12 bikes per week. With an MSRP of $110,000, it's Harley's priciest offering, available only in the U.S. through select dealers, and finished in a striking factory racing orange livery with serialized plaques on the triple clamp.
This model not only pushes the boundaries of what a touring bagger can achieve (top speed governed at 125 mph, with tires rated to 130 mph) but also democratizes racing tech for enthusiasts, proving Harley's commitment to innovation amid a resurgence in performance-focused models.The specific bike in question—Serial Number 1, with 0 miles—is being auctioned by Heritage Auctions on February 24, 2026, as Lot 1 in their Jewelry, Timepieces & Luxury Accessories sale. As the very first production example, it holds exceptional collectible value, akin to VIN 001 vehicles in automotive history that often fetch premiums for their rarity and provenance. All proceeds benefit The Promise Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to improving survivorship rates from breast and cervical cancer through education, navigation, and early detection programs. This charitable aspect adds a layer of cultural significance, aligning Harley's heritage of community support with a historic machine that could set auction records for modern motorcycles.
The 2025 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR represents a landmark in the brand's history as its most powerful, most expensive, and most performance-oriented production motorcycle to date. This limited-edition model draws directly from Harley-Davidson's dominance in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers racing series—a competition that pits heavily modified touring "bagger" motorcycles against each other on road courses, where Harley's factory team has secured multiple championships since the series began in 2020. The RR (standing for "Race Replica") embodies Harley's evolution from its traditional cruiser roots toward high-performance engineering, blending race-proven technology with street-legal touring capability while maintaining the iconic V-Twin character. It's a celebration of the brand's racing success, particularly rider Kyle Wyman's back-to-back titles, and marks a shift in Harley's Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) division to prioritize lightweight materials, advanced suspension, and raw power over chrome-heavy aesthetics.
Key to its significance is the Screamin' Eagle 131 cubic-inch (2,147cc) Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin engine, the largest and most potent air-cooled powerplant Harley has ever offered in a production bike. It delivers a claimed 153 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 150 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm, achieved through upgrades like CNC-ported cylinder heads, a high-lift camshaft, high-flow injectors, a 68mm throttle body, and a full titanium Akrapovič exhaust system that's over 10 pounds lighter than standard. This engine size was chosen to match the maximum displacement allowed for air-cooled bikes in King of the Baggers racing, and its throttle mapping is inspired by Wyman's championship-winning machine. The bike's carbon fiber and Kevlar bodywork (including the fairing, saddlebags, and fender), billet aluminum swingarm (18 pounds and 10% stiffer than stock), and Öhlins suspension—featuring a 43mm front fork and dual rear shocks with remote reservoirs—reduce weight to 785 pounds ready-to-ride while increasing ground clearance by 2.3 inches and lean angles to 36 degrees left and 35 degrees right. Brembo GP4-RX front brakes, a six-speed transmission with back-cut shift dogs, and advanced electronics like cornering ABS and traction control (with a Track Plus mode that disables linked braking) further enhance its track-ready credentials, all backed by a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Production is strictly limited to 131 units worldwide—a nod to the engine's displacement—hand-built on a temporary line in Milwaukee with up to 12 bikes per week. With an MSRP of $110,000, it's Harley's priciest offering, available only in the U.S. through select dealers, and finished in a striking factory racing orange livery with serialized plaques on the triple clamp.
This model not only pushes the boundaries of what a touring bagger can achieve (top speed governed at 125 mph, with tires rated to 130 mph) but also democratizes racing tech for enthusiasts, proving Harley's commitment to innovation amid a resurgence in performance-focused models.The specific bike in question—Serial Number 1, with 0 miles—is being auctioned by Heritage Auctions on February 24, 2026, as Lot 1 in their Jewelry, Timepieces & Luxury Accessories sale. As the very first production example, it holds exceptional collectible value, akin to VIN 001 vehicles in automotive history that often fetch premiums for their rarity and provenance. All proceeds benefit The Promise Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to improving survivorship rates from breast and cervical cancer through education, navigation, and early detection programs. This charitable aspect adds a layer of cultural significance, aligning Harley's heritage of community support with a historic machine that could set auction records for modern motorcycles.
