We’ve chronicled countless auctions over the years, giving us a front-row seat to some of the rarest and most significant motorcycles in the world going under the hammer. We revisit some of our favorites.
There’s a unique electricity in the air at a high-end motorcycle auction. It’s a mix of history, horsepower, and high stakes, where legendary machines with incredible stories cross the block and find new custodians. Here at Bike EXIF, we’ve had the privilege of chronicling countless auctions over the years, giving us a front-row seat as some of the rarest and most significant motorcycles in the world went under the hammer.
From record-breaking antiques and iconic American racers to jewel-like Grand Prix machines, the variety is staggering. Each bike tells a unique story, and watching them sell is a reminder of the passion that fuels this obsession of ours. Let’s revisit some of our favorite bikes that have gone to auction.
The Daytona-Winning Honda CR750 Factory Racer
The story of the Honda CR750 is pure racing drama. Born from the American importer’s desire to take the new CB750 racing, the CR750 was Honda’s reluctant hero. The factory developed over 200 new parts for the engine, including magnesium crankcases, to create a 96 hp monster.
Rushed into service for the 1970 Daytona 200, four of these factory racers were handed to a team of world-class riders, including the legendary Dick Mann.
During practice, Mann’s mechanic, Bob Hansen, discovered critical flaws with the cam chain tensioner and expanding crankcases, forcing him to rebuild the race engine using standard aluminum CB750 cases. After a heated argument in the pits where he ignored the Japanese engineers’ advice, Hansen nursed a misfiring bike to a nail-biting 2-second victory with Mann at the helm. Hansen was fired the next day for his insubordination, but the win cemented the CR750 in motorsport history.
This scarce factory-built example, originally shipped to Sweden in 1971, crossed the block at Mecum’s 2019 Las Vegas auction. With impeccable provenance, its pre-auction estimate was a staggering $200,000 to $250,000; in the end, it only raised $143,000. [MORE]
The Record-Breaking 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank
Every so often, a motorcycle crosses the block that completely resets the market. This 1908 Harley-Davidson “Strap Tank” did just that. So-called because its fuel and oil tanks are held to the bicycle-like frame with nickel straps, it’s one of the oldest and most original surviving Harleys in existence.
Discovered by a collector in 1941 and kept for 66 years, this motorcycle’s incredible condition and well-documented history made it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for serious collectors. While fewer than a dozen are known to exist, this example is considered one of the most correct, retaining its original tank, wheels, engine belt pulley, and seat cover after 115 years.
When the gavel fell at Mecum’s 2023 Las Vegas auction, it didn’t just meet expectations; it shattered them. The bike sold for a jaw-dropping $850,000, making it the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at a Mecum auction. And when we posted the original auction story here, it melted our servers. [MORE]
The Legendary 1972 Harley-Davidson XRTT Road Racer
Born during the tumultuous AMF era, and ridden by legends like Cal Rayborn and Mark Brelsford, these bikes were a thundering sight on the track. With only 15 to 25 examples ever built, the XRTT is an incredibly rare and desirable piece of Harley-Davidson’s racing history.
This stunning 1972 model, featuring an engine rebuilt by marque expert Carl Patrick, appeared at Mecum’s Las Vegas auction in January 2025. While no specific competition history was known, its immaculate, better-than-new restoration was undeniable. The pre-auction estimate was in the high $40,000 range; however, it far surpassed expectations, selling for $93,500. [MORE]
The Exquisite 1957 Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix
This 1957 Mondial 250 is a rolling sculpture and a relic from an era of unlimited aerodynamic creativity in Grand Prix racing. With its dramatic, fully enclosed aluminum dustbin fairing and DOHC engine, it was a top-tier machine from what was once the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Just seven of these 250 cc Bialbero twin-cam racers were ever built.
This specific bike, numbered 250-1, is strongly believed to be the one ridden by Tarquinio Provini to second place in the 1957 Grand Prix World Championship.
Following a meticulous restoration by some of Italy’s best, it took Best of Show at the 2017 Quail Motorcycle Gathering. This impeccable provenance was reflected in its $165,000 sale price in the Mecum Las Vegas auction in 2024, supporting its pre-sale valuation of $160,000 to $190,000. [MORE]
The Unrestored 1974 Ducati 750SS ‘Green Frame’
The 1974 Ducati 750SS is a legend. A barely homologated version of the Desmo L-twin that won the 1972 Imola 200, the ‘green frame’ is arguably one of the most significant Ducatis ever built. With its fiberglass tank, unfiltered Dell’Orto carbs, and Conti megaphones, it was a raw, uncompromising race bike for the street, with just 401 examples produced.
While pristine examples can fetch over $200,000, this unrestored 1974 model offered something different: stark originality. Showing just over 5,000 km on its odometer and once owned by cannonball legend ‘Slow Joe’ Gardella, it was a true time capsule.
When it crossed the block at no reserve during Mecum’s 2025 Las Vegas sale, it captured the hearts of collectors who value patina over polish. The bike sold for an impressive $198,000. [MORE]
The B.O.T.T. 1983 Harley-Davidson XR1000
The XR1000 was Harley’s attempt to give the public a street bike with the flavor of the all-conquering XR750 flat tracker. While it was essentially a Sportster with XR-style heads and twin Dell’Orto carbs, the bike truly shone on the racetrack in the Battle of the Twins (B.O.T.T.) series, where big-bore American and European V-twins battled for supremacy.
This particular XR1000 is no street bike; it’s a genuine B.O.T.T. racer with documented competition history. Raced from 1983 to 1986 by Rick Ranno, it was later sold to Sweden and raced by champion Posa Serenius.
Restored to its original Ranno’s V-Twins Cycle Shop livery, this rare racer represents a pivotal moment in American road racing history. It was a featured lot at the 2023 Mecum Glendale auction, selling for $21,450. [MORE]
The Streamlined 1954 NSU Sportmax
With its massive silver-bullet fairing, this 1954 NSU Sportmax is evocative of the streamlined Auto Union and Mercedes race cars of a bygone era. For many years, NSU—not BMW—was the king of German motorcycle manufacturing, and in the 1950s, they were the largest motorcycle builder in the world. The Sportmax was the privateer version of the factory’s dominant Racemax GP bikes, ridden by legends like John Surtees and Mike Hailwood.
This particular bike, hailing from the renowned John Parham collection, is listed as a replica, making it an accessible entry point into the world of vintage GP racers. The streamlined dustbin fairings were eventually banned from racing due to issues with crosswinds, making bikes like this a fascinating snapshot of racing history.
It was offered at Mecum’s 2023 auction of the Parham estate, with a very approachable estimate of $6,000 to $7,200. However, it outpaced estimates, selling for $10,000. [MORE]
The Charming 1950 Cushman Model 62 ‘Turtleback’
From the wildly complex to the beautifully simple, this Cushman Model 62 is an icon of a different sort. As a period competitor to Vespa and Lambretta, the ‘Turtleback’ was a slice of quintessential Americana. With a humble 221 cc single-cylinder side-valve engine producing a modest 4.8 hp, it was designed as cheap, reliable transport for post-war America. The brand became a household name after supplying ‘Parascooters’ to airborne troops during WWII.
This 1950 model is a true survivor, proudly wearing its original ‘Speedy Delivery, Fast Service’ livery and a lifetime of patina. Unrestored but with a running engine, it represents a tangible piece of American history.
It went under the hammer at Mecum’s 2020 auction, where it proved that character doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The winning bid was a refreshingly accessible $2,200. [MORE]
Your Turn to Make History
Reflecting on these incredible machines reveals the richness and passion of the motorcycle community. Each bike began as someone’s idea—now, they’re legends. Want to start your own legacy? Head to Bike EXIF Auctions.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect donor bike for your next build or you have a high-quality custom machine ready for a new home, our auction platform connects you with a global audience of serious enthusiasts and collectors. Check out our current listings or consider auctioning your own bike—who knows, perhaps it could make history.
