Many classic motorcycle riders and collectors simply have a passion for vintage motorbikes and love to ride them in rallies, tour with them or just keep them on display. However, vintage motorcycles are also an increasingly good investment.
Sales of vintage motorcycles have doubled since 2000, and prices have risen steadily. Bikes with documented histories that show famous owners or a history of race wins can easily sell for low- to mid-six figures. Pre-1970 motorbikes seem set to double in cost every 10 years.
Some brands routinely command the highest prices — think Brough Superior, Crocker and Vincent. That’s because they’re from the pre- and post-World War II eras, which created small runs of handmade motorcycles, with engines and frames tailored to individual customers, who were typically race-car drivers or former racers.
Due to the small production nature and high cost of these motorcycles, few were made at the time, and even fewer still survive. For these reasons, these vintage bikes are highly collectible and very valuable. Many surviving bikes have been fully restored with original parts or modern replacements; however, this has no effect on price.
An Inside Look at Vintage Motorcycle Projects
Before we dive right in, we wanted to make a note about a few motorcycles on this list that are listed as projects. Projects are bikes that need (replacement) parts or even overall restoration. Some can still be ridden, while others aren’t in working order.
However, if a project bike carries a highly prized name, such as Brough Superior or Vincent, it can still command a high price. So few models of these high-end, customized, fast motorcycles were ever manufactured that they are highly valued collectibles today no matter what their condition.
With all this in mind, here are the 30 most expensive vintage motorcycles in order of current value, adjusted for inflation.
22. 1911 Flying Merkel Board Track Racer
Last sold in 2015: $423,500
Current value: $506,941
The 1911 Flying Merkel was an innovative, simple, lightweight racing bike, and only one is known to exist. The Suttle family, who were Merkel dealers, bought the motorbike new, raced it until World War I and then stored it away.
Collector Bob Clifton discovered the motorbike and bought it. The original tires had to be replaced, but the bike is otherwise unrestored with the original paint. Clifton later sold the bike to John Parham, founder of J&P Cycles, who established the National Motorcycle Museum, where the Flying Merkel is now housed.
20. George Brough’s 1939 Brough Superior SS100
Last sold in 2014: $426,100
Current value: $510,659.08
Here’s a little more history on George Brough. He grew up racing bikes and working for his father’s motorcycle manufacturing company. After arguments over design, George left to set up his own company, Brough Superior, in Nottingham, England with a goal of making elegant motorcycles for upper-class English buyers that were also fast and powerful.
A Brough Superior customer could expect custom-fitted bike handlebars and controls, so each motorbike was unique. This particular SS100 motorbike is especially rare because it was owned by Brough, himself.
18. 1958 Ariel Cyclone 650
Last sold in 2014: $450,000
Current value: $539,302
This 1958 Ariel Cyclone 650 was originally owned by musician Buddy Holly. In 1958, Holly and members of his group, The Crickets, bought motorbikes to ride home from their tour. Holly purchased a limited edition Ariel model, one of only 172 made, while the others bought Triumphs.
After Holly was killed in a plane crash in 1959, country singer Waylon Jennings, a close friend of Holly’s, was given the bike. The Ariel was sold along with over 2,000 personal items from Jenning’s estate in 2014. The new owner loaned the bike to the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas.
16. 1912 Henderson Four
Last sold in 2017: $490,000
Current value: $567,154
William Henderson joined his family firm, Winton Motors, but left to found Henderson Motorcycles in Detroit, Michigan, with his brother, Thomas. Their company produced four-cylinder motor bikes with a single-speed chain drive and clutch. The bikes had a folding hand crank, a long chassis, an elongated fuel tank and were expensive for the time.
Filmmaker and motorcyclist Carl Stearns Clancy used a Henderson bike for his pioneering, around-the-world motorcycle trip. This Henderson Four was in original condition, down to the paint and tires, and is the only unrestored version of this bike left.
