Motorcycle Auction Records: What’s the Limit & When Will it Be Broken?

A quick Google search says the current record for the most expensive motorcycle sold at auction is a 1908 Harley that went for $935,000. It’s believed to be one of only 12 “Strap Tank” motorcycles — so named because of the nickel-plated steel bands suspending the fuel tanks from the frame — in the entire world.

It’s considered one of the earliest motorcycles vintage gearheads could ever get their hands on, and that record still stands. Honestly, it probably never will be broken.

In my opinion, motorcycles just aren’t as refined (or collectible) as cars. Yeah, there are some high-end models, and I read that Neiman Marcus sold a motorcycle for $11 million, but that was more of a one-off. At auction, those vintage Harleys are probably the peak of motorcycle pricing. Sure, some diehard enthusiast might be willing to drop even more cash on a rare bike, but I don’t see it happening anytime soon.

The biggest reason? Demand. Motorcycles are still more of a niche hobby compared to cars. People will pay over $50 million for a Ferrari 250 GTO, but I doubt anyone’s going to drop $2 million on a vintage Harley — or any motorcycle, for that matter. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong one day, but for now, $935,000 is the record to beat.

Also, motorcycles are smaller, so their prices are likely to go up. But hitting the kind of records seen at car auctions? That’s a whole different challenge. It’s already rare for someone to drop millions on a classic car, and for motorcycles, it’s even tougher. The market is smaller, and most people just don’t care — only hardcore petrolheads really understand the differences.

For the next few years (or even decades), I think the price ceiling will be around $300K–$500K. Anything above that? Sure, some collectors might be interested, but generally, it’s a tough sell. Motorcycles just don’t hold the same prestige as cars. If you look at the most expensive classic bikes, they’re usually early production models, special editions, or legendary race machines. That’s why their prices get high — but even then, it’s not the same as with cars. Aside from technology, it looks like motorcycles that are too modern won't be all that popular in the next few decades. They're just too complicated—packed with electronics and gadgets that can break down over time. Collectors tend to stick with classic analog bikes because they're easier to maintain and more reliable in the long run. Honestly, it feels like there haven't been many post-1980 motorcycles fetching big money at auctions. Most of the high-dollar stuff is still focused on pre-war models, which are getting rarer every year. Meanwhile, modern bikes are everywhere, which makes it hard for any of them to become truly valuable.

Pre-war motorcycles usually come with cool backstories. They're tied to history and represent a time that’s long gone. They’re not being made anymore and never will be again. That kind of uniqueness drives collectors wild—especially for certain rare models.

Still, their prices don’t come close to classic cars. I think that’s mostly because motorcycles are smaller and take up less space. Some bikes have sold for crazy amounts, sure, but they’ve never hit the same highs as cars, which can go for tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars.

Right now, $935K seems like the absolute limit. If someone manages to sell a bike for more than that, well… that’s beyond me. But I’d bet it’s not happening anytime soon. The motorcycle market is still too small for such things and I don't think many people are willing to pay very much for them, but that could change in the future.