Certainly! Let's explore the top 10 rarest motorcycles in the world. These bikes are remarkable not only for their scarcity but also for their exceptional engineering, performance, and the legacy of the companies behind them.
1. Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Fighter
- Company: Confederate Motorcycles (now Curtiss Motorcycles)
- Founder: Matt Chambers
- Established: 1991, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Price: $11 million
- Speed: Up to 190 mph (305 km/h)
- Details: The Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Fighter, originally priced at $110,000, escalated to a staggering $11 million at auction due to its exclusivity and unique design. With a distinct industrial aesthetic, it features a 120ci (1,966cc) 45-degree air-cooled V-twin engine. Only 45 units were made, making it a collector's dream.
- Special Features: Its chassis is carved from a single piece of metal, and it showcases a futuristic, skeletal design that sets it apart from any conventional motorcycle.
2. 1948 Vincent Black Lightning
- Company: Vincent HRD
- Founder: Philip Vincent
- Established: 1928, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK
- Price: $929,000
- Speed: Up to 150 mph (241 km/h)
- Details: The Vincent Black Lightning is a legendary motorcycle known for its speed and rarity. With a 998cc V-twin engine, it was the fastest production motorcycle of its time. Only 31 units were produced. One famous example, ridden by Jack Ehret, set the Australian speed record in 1953.
- Notable Sale: One of these bikes was sold at a Bonhams auction for nearly $929,000 in 2018, setting a record for a motorcycle auction.
3. Dodge Tomahawk V10 Superbike
- Company: Dodge (Chrysler)
- Founder: John and Horace Dodge
- Established: 1900, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Price: $550,000
- Speed: Theoretical top speed of 350 mph (560 km/h), but realistically tested at around 100 mph (160 km/h)
- Details: The Dodge Tomahawk is more a concept vehicle than a conventional motorcycle. With its 8.3-liter V10 engine borrowed from the Dodge Viper, it produces an astonishing 500 horsepower. Though not street-legal, its design and power make it a marvel of engineering.
- Special Features: It has a unique four-wheel design and remains one of the most visually and mechanically striking motorcycles ever created.
4. Ecosse ES1 Spirit
- Company: Ecosse Moto Works
- Founders: Donald Atchison and Dick Glover
- Established: 2001, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Price: $3.6 million
- Speed: Over 200 mph (322 km/h)
- Details: The Ecosse ES1 Spirit is a cutting-edge racing bike with a design philosophy rooted in Formula 1 technology. It boasts a carbon fiber frame and a unique front suspension system. Each bike is custom-built to the owner's specifications, making it as personalized as it is rare.
- Special Features: Only 10 units were planned for production, each requiring the buyer to undergo a two-week training program to handle the bike’s extreme performance capabilities.
5. Harley-Davidson Cosmic Starship
- Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
- Founders: William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson
- Established: 1903, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Price: $1.5 million
- Speed: Approximately 120 mph (193 km/h)
- Details: The Harley-Davidson Cosmic Starship is an art piece and a motorcycle. Painted by artist Jack Armstrong, it features his unique “Cosmic Extensionalism” style. This bike blends Harley-Davidson's classic design with vibrant, hand-painted artwork.
- Special Features: It’s a one-of-a-kind model, making it a highly coveted collector's item among both art enthusiasts and motorcycle collectors
6. 1949 E90 AJS Porcupine
- Company: AJS
- Founder: Joe Stevens
- Established: 1909, Wolverhampton, UK
- Price: $750,000
- Speed: Up to 135 mph (217 km/h)
- Details: The AJS E90 Porcupine is a rare piece of motorcycle racing history. This 500cc twin-cylinder bike earned its nickname "Porcupine" from its unique finned design. Only 4 were built, and it became famous for winning the 1949 World Championship with rider Les Graham.
- Notable Sale: A well-preserved example sold for $750,000 at auction, making it one of the most valuable motorcycles ever sold.
7. BMS Nehmesis
- Company: BMS Choppers
- Founder: Sam Nehme
- Established: 2000, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
- Price: $3 million
- Speed: Around 100 mph (160 km/h)
- Details: The BMS Nehmesis is a stunning chopper that stands out with its 24-carat gold-plated body and no visible frame. It features a custom-built design that focuses more on aesthetics than speed. This showpiece motorcycle is a work of art on wheels.
- Special Features: It has an air-ride system that allows the bike to sit on its frame when parked, creating a strikingly low profile.
8. Hildebrand & Wolfmüller
- Company: Hildebrand & Wolfmüller
- Founders: Heinrich and Wilhelm Hildebrand, and Alois Wolfmüller
- Established: 1894, Munich, Germany
- Price: $3.5 million
- Speed: Up to 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Details: The Hildebrand & Wolfmüller is the world's first production motorcycle, making it a highly significant historical artifact. It featured a 1,488cc two-cylinder, water-cooled engine. Only a few dozen were produced, and even fewer have survived to this day.
- Notable Sale: One of these rare machines was sold for $3.5 million, a testament to its historical importance.
9. Vyrus 987 C3 4V
- Company: Vyrus
- Founder: Ascanio Rodorigo
- Established: 2003, Rimini, Italy
- Price: $103,769
- Speed: Over 211 mph (340 km/h)
- Details: The Vyrus 987 C3 4V is one of the most advanced and exclusive motorcycles ever made. With a Ducati-sourced 1,198cc engine producing 211 horsepower in its supercharged version, it’s among the fastest production bikes. Its futuristic design and limited production make it highly sought after.
- Special Features: It employs hub-center steering and has a body made primarily of lightweight carbon fiber and magnesium, emphasizing performance and agility.
10. Icon Sheene
- Company: Icon Motorcycles
- Founder: Andrew Morris
- Established: 2013, UK
- Price: $172,000
- Speed: Up to 200 mph (322 km/h)
- Details: The Icon Sheene is a tribute to legendary British motorcycle racer Barry Sheene. Limited to 52 units, each representing a week of the year, it features a 1,400cc turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower. It’s a blend of classic styling and modern performance.
- Special Features: Each bike is custom-built and includes personal touches to honor Barry Sheene, including a bespoke paint job and a unique number.
These motorcycles are exceptional not only for their rarity but also for the stories, engineering prowess, and historical significance they embody. Each bike represents a pinnacle of design and performance, making them coveted treasures among collectors and enthusiasts alike.
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