The Unexpected Value Of Your Old Motorcycles

Almost everyone is familiar with the small thrill of finding a couple of bills in the pocket of an old pair of jeans. The same surprise plays out on a much bigger scale when items you'd discarded as junk turn out to be worth much more than you imagined. Whether it's vinyl records, vintage t-shirts, or furniture, the right mix of rarity, nostalgia, and time can easily transform forgotten items into valuable pieces. Old motorcycles are a perfect example, with the rarest of units selling for over $1 million.

The antiques and collectibles market, though often overlooked, is a big deal, with an estimated global value of $294.23 billion in 2023, according to Grand View Research. Vintage motorcycles represent a growing portion of that market value, with demand for classic bikes increasing by 50% since 2010.  

A large part of this is the increasing interest in vintage motorcycles as collectible art, but also as an alternative investment asset. Everything, from rare wartime machines to more recent models with classic designs, is being sold for thousands of dollars or more, whether it's at a sophisticated auction like Mecum or on eBay. 

The high price tag behind vintage motorcycles comes down to the simple economic factors of demand and supply. Many of the motorcycle models launched over the years were produced in small numbers — sometimes as few as 69 units – creating a scarcity. Over time, more bikes were lost to crashes, scrapyards, and wear and tear, making the surviving motorcycles a rarity and driving prices even higher. 

Cultural and historical significance work together to influence buyer sentiment. Certain motorcycle models mark significant milestones in engineering and racing history; there's the Harley-Davidson J Model, the first bike used by the US military, and then there's the Honda CB750, the first superbike. For collectors, pieces like this mark significant timelines and sometimes personal memories as well. Not surprisingly, previous ownership by film and TV personalities can have a significant impact on the price tag. For example, American cinematic legend and famed motorcycle collector Steve McQueen's 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross sold at auction for $186,500, more than $20,000 over the estimated price. 

Even with the price being influenced by history and economic concepts, there are some factors within your control. Models that succeed in the year of production in terms of durability and reliability can reach the collectible status and accompanying price if they are kept in mint condition and well-maintained. Quality engineering and classic designs are always high in demand, even for people who aren't that familiar with motorcycles. 

While vintage motorcycles are becoming more of a hot asset in the collectors' space, not all of the bikes that go on auction are equal. Sold at a Mecum auction for $1.32 million, the Cyclone V-Twin Roadster is a perfect example of a record-breaking sale. Produced in 1915, the model was a staple on dirt tracks and broke records as one of the fastest motorcycles of its era. This racing history and extreme rarity, as one of only a handful ever produced, are enough to justify the price tag.

Another impressive sale was the 1951 Vincent Black Lightning, which sold for $929,000. Only 33 units of the model were ever made, making the piece one of the rarest motorcycles ever produced. In the year of production, the Vincent Black Lightning was the fastest bike in the world,  surpassing speeds of 150 mph, when bikes still struggled to reach 100 mph.

Still, more recent and attainable models are appreciating and selling for impressive resale prices. The 2010 GP10 Desmosedici, a non-production motorcycle, sold for as much as $325,430 at auction. And it's the same story seen in the late 1990s and early 2000s models from well-known brands Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, and Honda, which made the list of the top 100 most expensive bikes sold at auction. All these examples show how even impulsive motorcycle purchases can, under the right circumstances, become meaningful investments.