With the recent sale in Las Vegas of the first confirmed Million Dollar Motorcycle (at auction), let’s have a look at our list of other bikes that have sold for seven figures. Only one is confirmed, as auctions are generally the only verifiable sale, although of course trickery is always possible, and auction houses have been known to tout sales that didn’t actually happen – as with the ‘Captain America’ chopper a few years back, and a Winchester motorcycle, each of which laid claim to the ‘highest price ever paid at auction’ in their PR, but both of which proved false on examination [see our ‘Money Talks: the Rest Send Press Releases‘]. Private parties have claimed big sales, and newspapers have reported them too, so I’ve kept my list to motorcycle sales that seem legit, and some on this list I’ve verified personally with the buyers.
There are very likely other private sales of over $1Million, but I have yet to find details to support their inclusion; one of those rumors concerns a Honda RC166 six-cylinder GP racer, possibly sold to the Honda Museum for seven figures. There are others, with less credibility, but for the following I’ve been at least able to follow a trail, and ask a few questions.
Does a Million Dollar Baby mean anything to the motorcycle market, or the culture of motorcycling? No. But it’s fun to watch from the sidelines, as let’s face it, you and I were never going to own a 1915 Cyclone or an original-paint 1912 Henderson Four, so let the collectors have at it; a duel of credit cards at 20 paces! En garde!
1. 1915 Cyclone: $1.32 Million (Mecum Auctions January 2025, Las Vegas)

The auction action was thrilling: I was working Mecum’s TV coverage of the sale, and we had anticipated a big price, but when bidding topped $1Million, I knew we were in for some entertainment. You can watch the sale on my Instagram channel, as I filmed my monitor screen during the action, with live TV commentary. You don’t get to do that but once in a lifetime.
2. The ‘Captain America’ Chopper: ~$1.3Million (private sale, 2014)

3. 1970 ‘Triple Crown Special’ gold-plated Speedway Champion winner – $1,260,700

4. The 1947 ‘Bathing Suit’ Vincent: ~$1.1Million (private sale, 2011)

5 (tied). 1936 Crocker Big Twin Serial #1: ~$1Million (Private sale)
Al Crocker’s V-twin was the fastest production motorcycle in the world in 1936, not that there was much production: it’s estimated less than 75 were built between 1936-43. The Crocker predated the Harley-Davidson Knucklehead as the first OHV V-twin built for the street in the USA, and it was probably 20mph faster than a standard Knuck, especially if the customer ordered the full 100ci engine capacity available (they were usually 61ci – 1000cc). Al Crocker offered a money-back guarantee to any Crocker owner who was beaten by an Indian or Harley-Davidson, and there was never a need to make such a refund. Crockers have only grown in demand, with prices topping $600k in 2019. But Serial #1, the very first Crocker Big Twin, apparently sold to a California collector for a cool $1Million a few years back. I’ve heard the rumor from Those Who Know, and the purported owner could certainly afford that – he has quite a few Crockers in his warehouse! (Sorry – no photo available)
5 (tied): 1912 Henderson Four $ 1Million (Private sale)


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Once again the so called ‘ experts ‘ had their head up their proverbial posteriors … … proclaiming to anyone that’d listen that classic M/C sales had crashed …
Lessee now … 6 bikes fer a million or more ? Yeah right … crashed market my … well … you know
But err …. seriously … $1.3 million for a questionable at best Captain America bike ? .. Now that … definitely qualifies as delusional wishful thinking … not paying attention to all the first hand evidence available .. from those who were actually part of it all
BTW .. Id take the ‘ Billy Bike ‘ over Captain America any day of the week and twice on Sunday …
Ciao … 😎
Interesting, (and sobering) to note that a bike purchased just 10 years ago for $756,000 would be require $1,000,000 today at an annual inflation rate of 32.3%.
Y’all wants sobering ? How’s about a home in Denver Co that sold for $425,000 a mere six year ago … now selling for damn near $900,000 … now that …. is sobering !
One ( motorcycles ) being a mere hobby … whereas the other .. is a necessity .