Crocker

Change is evident in the motorcycle collector market. Only three Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads had ever sold for more than $100,000 before this week. At Mecum's Las Vegas auction, 11 Knuckleheads sold for more than $100,000, moving the Knucklehead into an elite pricing bracket. On the prices evident in Las Vegas, the Harley-Davidson Knucklehead now appears to have surpassed the Vincent Black Shadow, the post-war Vincent Rapide, and the Brough Superior SS80. This is quite remarkable, because unlike those other bikes, which were produced in very limited numbers, there were 41,000 Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads produced.

Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads rock the collectible motorcycle auction marketplace in Las Vegas

The collectible motorcycle marketplace has snapped back into action with Mecum belatedly wrapping up its annual January Las Vegas auctions on May 1, following a four-day-sale. The results are intriguing, particularly if you're a Harley Knucklehead fan.

Motorcycles

Top 25 most expensive motorcycles sold in Monterey 2019

Three of the most expensive motorcycles in history sell during Monterey Car Week 2019.

A selection of notable motorbikes up for auction at Monterey Car Week

Motorcycles

16 bikes likely to sell for more than $100,000 in Monterey

Monterey Car Week is where the world's most monied automotive enthusiasts congregate once a year, and as usual, there are quite a few elite motorcycles on offer. We count 15, maybe 16 motorcycles that are expected to fetch six figures, headed by two Crockers likely to fetch $500,000 each.

The motorcycle marketplace displayed a considerably different mood than we've been accustomed to in Vegas this year, blowing away auction records and illustrating that the tastes of the buying public are changing. While vintage and veteran bikes performed well at the top, the real movers were two-strokes, seventies classics and Japanese motorcycles in general.

Motorcycles

Sale of the Century: The 2019 Las Vegas Motorcycle Auctions

The motorcycle marketplace is recalibrated each year with the January Las Vegas sales, and this year saw new records and the changing tastes of the buying public. While vintage bikes performed well, the real movers were two-strokes, seventies classics and Japanese motorcycles.

Motorcycles

Top 150 sales from the 2017 Las Vegas Motorcycle auctions

An unprecedented 1000 motorcycles sold in Las Vegas this year and the strength of the marketplace was clearly evident by the top 150 sales, arranged here for easy browsing

American fours crossing the auction block

Motorcycles

Las Vegas auctions: Movement afoot in the collectible motorcycle market

The 2017 Las Vegas motorcycle auctions combined Mecum's four-day auction (Jan 25-28) with Bonhams' January 26 event to give the year a kickstart. Almost 1000 collectible motorcycles changed hands, offering enough data to identify a few trends that portend what will happen over the coming year.

If it sells, this 1936 Crocker "hemi head" will become just the fourth motorcycle and the first Crocker to sell at auction for more than $500,000

Motorcycles

Original American Crocker superbike expected to sell for $500,000+

Less than 100 Crocker v-twins were ever made with only the first 23 units having hemispherical heads. The bike being offered by Bonhams in Las Vegas on 26 January is one of just seven "hemi head" Crockers known to have survived and the earliest example ever offered at public auction.

With a final price of $176,000, this 1974 Ducati 750 Supersport set a new world record for the bike which put Ducati on the map, beating out the previous record of US$152,885 (sold for EUR114,371) set at the Paris Retromobile auctions in February, 2013 by Artcurial and moving the 750 SS into a price bracket previously only achieved by Ducati NCR race bikes (but still well below the two Desmosedicis sold by RM in 2012.)

Motorcycles

Top motorcycle sales at Monterey Car Week 2016 (and 7 bargains still available)

This is not a normal auction report in that we've included a number of significant bikes that didn't sell, and we've listed them with their high bid. That means opportunity for motorcycle enthusiasts.

Motorcycles

Full preview of the Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale

Bonhams Stafford Spring sale has been responsible for more sales of elite motorcycles than any other single sale anywhere in the world, rivaling even the combined January Las Vegas sales. Not surprisingly, there are a number of very rare and valuable motorcycles going under the hammer on April 26.

The four biggest sales at the EJ Cole auction were from top left clockwise: a 1907 Harley-Davidson "Strap Tank" for $715,000; a world record $852,500 for the 1915 Cyclone Board Track Racer; $423,500 for a 1911 Flying Merkel Board Track Racer and $385,000 for a 1942 Crocker. (Photos: Somer Hooker)

Collectibles

World Records galore at E.J. Cole Collection Motorcycle Auction

The E.J. Cole Collection has auctioned and the ramifications are profound. The top two motorcycle prices ever fetched at auction were achieved, 28 bikes sold for more than US$100,000, 12 forced their way into the top 100 and American-made bikes are now statistically more valuable than British bikes.

One or two of these bikes might sell for $1,000,000, five for more than $300,000 and more than 100 should fetch $70,000 or more. This auction will redefine the collectible motorcycle marketplace.

Collectibles

The E.J. Cole Collection auction preview – the most important motorcycle auction ever held

The motorcycle world will hold its breath on March 20 & 21 when the largest and most significant collection of motorcycles ever auctioned at one time will sell at "no reserve" in Las Vegas. More than 100 bikes are expected to fetch $70,000, changing the entire collectible motorcycle landscape.

Motorcycles

The top 100 most expensive motorcycles sold at auction

Our list of the top 100 highest priced motorcycles ever sold at auction offers unprecedented perspective on the rare motorcycle marketplace. It includes full details and images of each bike, plus links to the official auction page and catalog descriptions.