How do we love thee?  Let us count the ways. The Vintagent’s ‘Top 100 Most Expensive Motorcycles’ is the definitive list of most expensive motorcycles sold at public auction. We’ve been keeping track of the top auction sales since 2006, and if you want editorializing on these prices, you’ll have to ask nicely – these are just the facts, ma’am. (Note: Price conversions represent the exchange rate on the day of sale).

Click here to see the Also Rans: the bikes that fell off the Top 100.

Click here to see the World’s Most Expensive Private Sales.

Top 100 Most Expensive Motorcycles: 

Number 1:

1908 Harley-Davidson ‘Strap Tank’:$935,000
Jan 28, 2023, Las Vegas, Mecum 

Number 2:

1951 Vincent Black Lightning: $929,000
Jan 26, 2018, Las Vegas, Bonhams 

Number 3:

1915 Cyclone Board Track – $852,500
Mar. 2015, Las Vegas, Mecum Auctions

Number 4:

1936 Crocker ‘Small Tank’ – $825,000
Aug. 2019, Monterey, Mecum

Tied for Number 5:

1907 Harley-Davidson ‘Strap Tank’ – $715,000
Mar. 2015, Las Vegas, Mecum

Tied for Number 5:

1937 Crocker ‘Small Tank’ – $715,000
Mar. 2015, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 6:

1939 Crocker Big Tank – $704,000
Jan. 2019, Las Vegas, Mecum Auctions

Number 7:

1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer – $551,200
July 2008, Monterey, MidAmerica

Number 8:

1940 Crocker Big Tank – $550,000
Indianapolis 2019, Mecum

Number 9:

1930 Brough Superior SS100 Ex-George Brough / ISDT – $542,500 / £416,250
Mar. 2019, National Motorcycle Museum, H&H

Number 10:

1990 Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy used in Terminator 2: Judgement Day – $512,000
Jan. 2019, Los Angeles, Heritage Auctions

Number 11:

1929 Brough Superior ‘Alpine Grand Sports’ SS100 – £315,100 / $494,580
Nov. 2014, Bond St, Bonhams

Number 12:

1912 Henderson Four (original paint) – $490,000
Jan. 2017, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 13:

1931 Brough Superior-Austin ‘BS4’ 3-wheeler – £331,900 / $481,624
Apr. 2016, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 14:

1939 BMW RS255 ‘Kompressor’ – $480,000 / £300,000
Jan. 2013, Las Vegas, Bonhams

Number 15:

1922 Brough Superior SS80 ‘Old Bill’ – £291,200 / $469,800
Oct. 2012, Duxford, H&H Auctions

Number 16:

1929 Brough Superior SS100 – £286,000 / $465,350
Oct. 2010, Sparkford, H&H Auctions

Number 17:

1926 Brough Superior SS100 ‘Alpine Grand Sports’ – £280,800 / $453,000
Oct. 2012, Battersea, RM Auctions

Number 18:

1951 Vincent ‘White’ Shadow – $434,000
Jan. 2016, Las Vegas, Bonhams

Number 19:

1939 Brough Superior SS100, ex-George Brough – £235,500 / $426,100
Apr. 2014, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 20:

1927 Harley-Davidson FHA 8-Valve racer – A$600,000 / $423,700
Sep. 2015, Melbourne, Shannons

Number 21:

1911 Flying Merkel board track racer – $423,500
Mar. 2015, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 22:

1937 Crocker Small Tank – $423,500
Jan. 2019, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 23:

1938 HRD-Vincent Series A Rapide – £275,900 / $417,000
Apr. 2015, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 24:

1946 AJS E90 ‘Porcupine’ – £293,250 / $406,200
June 2021, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 25:

1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sports project – £259,100 / $400,000
Oct. 2015, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 26:

1934 Brough Superior SS100 ‘Two of Everything’ – £242,300 / $393,400
Apr. 2012, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 27:

1939 Vincent-HRD Series A Rapide – £275,900 / $374,160
Apr. 2016, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 28:

1942 Crocker ‘Big Tank’ – $385,000
Mar. 2015, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 29:

1932 Brough Superior ‘BS4’ 3-Wheel Austin-engine – £246,400 / $377,950
Apr. 2013, Imperial War Museum, H&H

Number 30:

1948 Vincent-HRD ‘Black Lightning’ – £246,000 / $377,260
Apr. 2013, Imperial War Museum, H&H

Number 31:

1936 Brough Superior SS100 £276,000 / $367,660
Bicester Heritage, Dec. 2020, Bonhams

Number 32:

1938 HRD-Vincent Series A Rapide – £225,500 / $366,110
Apr. 2012, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 33:

1949 Vincent Black Lightning Supercharged – £221,500 / $383,400
Oct. 2008, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 34:

1938 Crocker Small Tank – $371,800
Aug 2016, Monterey, Mecum

Number 35:

1927 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sports project – £236,700 / $365,400
Oct 2015, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 36:

1959 Harley Davidson FL ‘Panhead’, ex-Jerry Lee Lewis £238,700 / $358,000
Jan. 2015, Kissimmee, Mecum

Number 37:

1925 Brough Superior SS100 – $357,500
Jan. 2019, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 38:

1907 Harley Davidson ‘Strap Tank’ Single – £186,560 / $352,000
Oct. 2006, Gooding and Co.

Number 39:

1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide – £198,400 / $347,200
Sep. 2008, New Bond St, Bonhams

Number 40:

1925 Brough Superior SS100 – $344,026 / £264,500
Oct. 2018, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 41:

1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series A Rapide – £270,300 / $330,700
Apr. 2016, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 42 (tied):

1929 Brough Superior SS100 ‘Moby Dick’ – £210,000 / $330,000
Oct. 2011, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 42 (tied):

1938 HRD-Vincent Series A Rapide: $330,000
Jan 28, 2023, Las Vegas, Mecum 
2013 Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide (ex-Pope) – $327,000
Feb. 2014, Paris, Bonhams

Number 43:

1937 Brough Superior SS100, ex-Olympia Motorcycle Show £208,700 / $322,150
Oct. 2015, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 44:

1929 Brough Superior SS100, ex-Dick Knight, Eric Fernihough £253,000 / $322,000
Apr. 2022, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 45:

2010 Ducati GP10 CS1 – e251,500 / $320,000
May 2012, Monaco, RM Auctions

Number 46:

1938 Brough Superior SS100 £219,900 / $319,099
Apr. 2016, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 47:

1938 Brough Superior SS100 – $313,000
Aug. 2019, Quail Lodge, Bonhams

Number 48:

1927 Zenith-JAP 8/45hp – £177,500 / $312,986
Sep. 2008, New Bond St, Bonhams

Number 49:

2011 Ducati GP11 VR2 – e245,700 / $312,500
May 2012, Monaco, RM Auctions

Number 50:

1922 Brough Superior Mk 1 ’90 Bore’ $308,000
Jan. 2020, Las Vegas, Mecum Auctions

Number 51:

1939 Crocker Small Tank – $302,500
June 2008, Monterey, RM Auctions

Number 51 (tied):

1912 Henderson Model A $302,500
Jan. 2019, Las Vegas, Mecum Auctions

Number 52:

1940 Crocker ‘Big Tank’ twin – £192,374 / $302,000
Aug. 2012, Quail Lodge, Bonhams

Number 52 (tied):

1937 Crocker ‘Small Tank’ twin – £192,374 / $302,000
Aug. 2012, Quail Lodge, Bonhams

Number 53:

1936 Brough Superior SS100 – £235,750 / $300,000
Apr. 2022, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 54:

1915 Iver Johnson twin – £193,841 / $299,600
Jan. 2012, Las Vegas, MidAmerica

Number 55:

1907 Harley-Davidson ‘Strap Tank – $297,000
May 2021, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 56:

1934 Brough Superior 996cc SS100 – £166,500 / $293,600
Apr. 2008, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 57:

1937 Crocker ‘Small Tank’ twin – £185,367 / $291,000
Aug. 2012, Quail Lodge, Bonhams

Number 58:

1954 AJS Porcupine – £163,600 / $288,475
Apr. 2000, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 59:

1956 Moto Guzzi V-8 (replica) – £196,250 / $284,600
Feb. 2016, London, Coys

Number 60:

1925 Coventry-Eagle Flying 8 – $284,200 / £218,500
Apr. 2019, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 61:

1939 Brough Superior SS100 – £181,420 / $280,400
Jan. 2011, Las Vegas, MidAmerica

Number 62:

1937 Crocker ‘Hemi-Head’ – £144,350 / $276,000
Nov. 2006, Los Angeles, Bonhams

Number 63:

1929 Scott Flying Squirrel 600cc (ex-Steve McQueen/Von Dutch) – £168,360 / $276,000
June 2009, New York, Antiquorum

Number 64:

1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sports – $269,238
Apr. 2019, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 65:

1938 Brough Superior SS100 – £219,900 / $269,000
Apr. 2016, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 66:

1938 Brough Superior SS100 – £151,100 / $264,400
Sep. 2008, New Bond St, Bonhams

Number 67:

1911 Harley-Davidson 7A Twin $260,000
Jan. 2014, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 68:

1970 Harley-Davidson FLH Shovelhead ex-Marlon Brando $256,000
June 28 2015, Julien’s Auctions, Los Angeles

Number 69:

1938 Brough Superior SS100 – £157,700 / $255,900
Apr. 2010, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 70:

1912 Indian Board Track Racer – $253,000
Jan. 2019, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 71:

1924 Croft-Cameron Anzani 8V ‘Super 8’ – £203,100 / $249,600
October 2016, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 72:

1974 Ducati 750SS – $247,500
Jan. 2019, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 73:

1941 Crocker Big Tank – $243,800
January 2007, Las Vegas, MidAmerica

Number 74:

1930 Brough Superior SS100 $239,250
Jan 2020, Las Vegas, Mecum Auctions

Number 75:

1938 Brough Superior SS100 – $238,000
Jan. 2011, Las Vegas, MidAmerica

Number 76:

1929 Coventry Eagle Flying 8 KTOR – £163,900 / $237,837
Apr. 2016, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 77 (tied):

1939 Crocker ‘Small Tank’ twin – $236,500
Oct. 2006, Gooding and Co.

Number 77 (tied):

1912 Harley-Davidson Model 8A Twin – $236,500
Mar. 2015, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 77 (tied):

1938 Brough Superior SS100, $236,500 
Jan. 2022, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 78:

1939 Crocker V-Twin Big Twin – $233,200
January 2008, Las Vegas, MidAmerica

Number 79:

1954 BMW RS54 Rennsport – £143,000 / $232,000
Oct. 2010, Haynes, HandH

Number 80:

1951 Vincent Series C Black Shadow, $231,000
Jan. 2022 Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 81:

1949 Triumph TR5 Trophy custom ‘Fonzie’ – $232,562
Dec. 2021, Los Angeles, Bonhams

Number 82 (tied):

1912 Henderson 4-cylinder – $225,500
Mar. 2015, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 82 (tied):

1911 Pierce 4 (original paint): $225,500
July 2020, Indianapolis, Mecum

Number 83:

1928 Indian Altoona Hillclimber $225,000
Mar. 2015, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 84:

1950 Vincent ‘White Shadow’ – $224,250 / £147,850
January 2015, Las Vegas, Bonhams

Number 85:

1927 Brough Superior SS100 Pendine – $223,500 / £166,750
Oct. 2018, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 86:

1937 Brough Superior 11-50 – £147,100 / $222,400
April 2015, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 87 (tied):

1925 BMW R37: $220,000
Jan 2023 Las Vegas Mecum Auctions

Number 87 (tied):

1925 BMW R32: $220,000
Jan 2023 Las Vegas Mecum Auctions

Number 87 (tied):

1943 Harley-Davidson EL – $220,000
May 2021, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 87 (tied):

1946 Harley-Davidson FL – $220,000
May 2021, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 87 (tied):

1954 Harley-Davidson / Indian Larry ‘Grease Monkey’ – $220,000
Jan. 2020, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 87 (tied):

1940 Harley-Davidson EL – $220,000
Jan. 2020, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 87 (Tied):

1925 BMW R37 – $220,000
Jan. 2019, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 88:

1914 Miliaire Four cylinder – $214,500
Jan. 2020, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 89:

1938 Brough Superior SS100 – £175,100 / $214.200
April 2016, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 90:

1937 Indian 437 ‘upside down’ Four (original paint) – $210,000
Dec. 2022, Matthews Auctions

Number 91:

1933 Brough Superior SS100 – $209,400 / £161,000
Oct. 2018, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 92:

1930 Brough Superior 680 Black Alpine – £138,140 / $209,000
April 2015, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 93 (tied):

1917 Henderson Model G four-cylinder, $203,500
Jan. 2022, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 93 (tied):

1936 Harley-Davidson EL ‘Knucklehead’, $203,500
Jan. 2022, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 94:

1937 Brough Superior SS100 – $203,000
Aug. 2012, Quail Lodge, Bonhams

Number 95:

1929 Coventry-Eagle Flying 8 JAP KTOR – £163,900 / $200,500
April 2016, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 96:

1974 Ducati 750SS – $198,000
Jan. 2020, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 97:

1938 Vincent-HRD Series A Rapide £126,940 / $196,000
October 2015, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 98:

1914 Feilbach Limited 10hp (original paint) $195,000
January 2017, Las Vegas, Bonhams

Number 99:

1924 Montgomery-Anzani 8/38hp V-Twin £109,300 / $192,700
April 2006, Stafford, Bonhams

Number 100 (tied):

1947 Harley-Davidson FL – $220,000
May 2021, Las Vegas, Mecum

Number 100 (tied):

1911 Pierce T Four – $192,500
Mar. 2015, Las Vegas, Mecum

 

To see the ‘also rans’ formerly in the Top 100, Click here!

 

Paul d’Orléans is the founder of TheVintagent.com. He is an author, photographer, filmmaker, museum curator, event organizer, and public speaker. Check out his Author Page, Instagram, and Facebook.
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