Buzz
1. Ducati Desmosedici D16RR NCR M16
Price: $235,000
Ducati always brings style and innovation to their bikes, but this is on a whole different level. Equipped with 197 horsepower (with exhaust system and ECU supplied) and with an estimated weight of about 400 pounds, the Desmosedici proudly boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 2.0:1 pound per horsepower. Compare that ratio to the 5.3:1 of the upcoming Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and the Desmosedici is a serious performance art piece worthy of closer consideration.
While many Desmosedici RRs might be found cruising down Rodeo Drive, a few other bikes with their engines lowered down Rodeo Drive might proudly boast all of Ducati's odd components. Below is a partial list of the odd components found on the Desmosedici: forged Marchesini mag wheels, carbon fiber frame, race-spec suspension, robust Brembo monoblock brake calipers, and Magneti Marelli electronics. Just a flick of the starter button and the V4 engine roars to life.
The distinctive engine sound is largely due to counter-rotating crankshafts altering firing order to improve the bike's grip when leaning into corners. Like all street bikes, you shift the Ducati into first gear by pressing the shift lever down with your left foot. Like many modern sports bike models, the Desmosedici uses the engine as a structural member; the steering head mounts on a compact steel trellis bolted to the engine's cylinder head and the swingarm mounts to aluminum pivot plates bolted to the crankcases. Along with adjustable front forks and rear shock, the Desmosedici RR's cornering angles are precise.
2. Legendary British Vintage Black
Price: $400,000
Legendary British Vintage Black sets the standard for almost every aspect as the world's first 'super motorcycle' in terms of power and absolute speed it can achieve, and the riding experience it delivers: a bike powerful to a level you can truly expect. In 1928, when a young motorcycle enthusiast Philip Conrad Vincent began to realize his dream by purchasing a motorcycle manufacturing company established HRD, which itself was established by a former World War I pilot named Howard Raymond Davies.
Phil Vincent renamed HRD to Vincent HRD and set up his workshop in the town of Stevenage, about 28 miles north of England's capital London. HRD had a good reputation, partly built on the success of sports racing, providing a good basis for Phil Vincent to kick-start his business. Phil Vincent experimented with making a motorcycle in 1927 and designed what he believed would be a perfect rear suspension system for which he was granted a patent in 1928: it was called the Vincent cantilever suspension system and it was incorporated into his first Vincent HRD motorcycle and thereafter.
The engine of Legendary British Vintage Black is coated with a corrosion-resistant chromate primer 'pyluminising' with black enamel by Pinchin & Johnson applied over it, then baked in an oven for two hours at 93.3°C: this will be a 'hot' bike and will be best with a hot finish. The Vincent four-speed engine and gearbox are machined as one so the gearbox casing is treated similarly while the frame, forks, and fuel tank are painted black. The black is relieved from monotony by the Vincent lettering on the fuel tank, carburetor cap, and gearbox, picked out by the copper exhaust flange face, and chrome of the exhaust pipes, wheels, and other distinctive parts while the handlebars are black enamelled Vincent. The effect is a subtle yet striking elegance, tinged with a hint of danger.
3. Ecosse FE Ti XX - Titanium
Price: $300,000
Ecosse's moto workshop always churns out the world's most extraordinary machines. Their two-wheelers are crafted from lofty standards, unprecedented designs, and often employ special materials. The company has previously had the honor of being the manufacturer of the world's most expensive motorcycle, the $275,000 RR, and most recently the latest Heretic line with the FE Ti XX valued at around 6 billion VND (equivalent to $300,000 USD). With this spending level, you could purchase 113 Tata Nanos, 29 Harley Davidson Superlows, or even 60 Kawasaki Ninja 250Rs.
One of the world's most expensive machines never disappoints with its gigantic engine display. The
The FE Ti XX combines a new exposed carbon belt drive system with a hydraulic actuated clutch. The exhaust system by seasoned racers at Good Fabs has rigid titanium and ceramic pipes to enhance power and resist fatigue. Clad in a luxurious Berluti saddle, the lucky owner can gaze upon a colorful data-gathering dashboard, only past the bodywork finished in a special carbon fiber. Only 13 Titanium Series FE Ti XXs are released to the market annually, the first batch being shipped to China, and one is being delivered fluid-less for display in a private residence.
4. Cosmic Starship Harley Davidson
Price: $1 million
This is the Harley-Davidson Cosmic Starship, also known as the Million Dollar Harley or the bike of artist Jack Armstrong. It's actually a 2002 V-Rod. The Cosmic Starship has made a comeback to the market, with asking prices ranging from $15 million to $30 million, as it's an exclusive item. It has been offered for sale by its current owner since 2017 and if sold, it will officially go down in history as the world's most expensive motorcycle. Even if not, based on its last traded price, it still ranks among the top 5 most expensive motorcycles in the world.
The Cosmic Starship was introduced in October 2010 at Bartels in Marina Del Rey, California, in a ceremony where it was lowered from the sky while illuminated by $100,000 worth of lights. It was invoiced as a million-dollar Harley from the start, based on the fact that Armstrong painted it. In 2012, it was sold for $3 million and it resurfaced in the market in 2017: Cosmic Harley claimed its asking price to be $15 million, but Star Global International (the company actually consigning the artwork) set it at $30 million. However, both seem to agree that its value will increase in the years to come.
The Cosmic Starship Harley Davidson is equipped with a 1,250cc engine block of the V-Rod model. The paint job on the body is very special as it displays different figures every time the angle changes. Jack Armstrong confidently asserts 'If you're not Lady Gaga, Scarlett Johansson, or Sylvester Stallone, don't touch this Harley!'. The bike is priced at $1 million. Armstrong (the grandson of Neil Armstrong) took 6 years to complete the work. You wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at the painting, but there's a sophisticated technique to this painting style. It's said to have a lot of acrylic paint and no less than 37 coats of paint on top, a method that Armstrong took 3 decades to master.
5. Dodge Tomahawk V10 Superbike
Price: $550,000
The Dodge Tomahawk is a non-street legal motorcycle, the fastest motorcycle in the world, reaching a maximum speed of 420 miles per hour (676 km/h), introduced by Dodge at the 2003 North American International Auto Show. The parent company of Dodge is Daimler Chrysler AG. In 2003, they produced a new concept vehicle that made waves worldwide, but it was not available to everyone. The engine displacement of this fastest motorcycle in the world is nearly 5 times that of a typical Harley-Davidson. The Tomahawk weighs 680kg and has a fuel capacity of 12.7l. The bike is equipped with a dual front suspension system.
The Dodge Tomahawk is the fastest motorcycle in the world. The Dodge Tomahawk was produced by Dodge with the initial concept version unveiled at the 2003 North American International Auto Show. The production cycle of the Tomahawk is from 2003 to 2006. Only 9 Tomahawks, priced at around $555,000 USD, were produced. All 9 units were sold through a famous luxury department store chain in the United States commonly known as Neiman Marcus. None of the Dodge Tomahawks sold were street-legal.
The 'speed demon' Dodge Tomahawk is equipped with a V10, 8.3-liter engine, the type of engine used in the Viper sports car. Thanks to its monstrous engine block, the Dodge Tomahawk can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 672 km/h. The world's fastest car Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ also accelerates from 0-60 mph in nearly 2.5 seconds. This bike is equipped with 2 front wheels and 2 rear wheels to enhance stability during operation. It's one of the fastest bikes in the world, a must-have for speed enthusiasts. The bike is priced at $550,000 USD.
6. Hildebrand & Wolfmüller
Price: $3.5 million
Hildebrand & Wolfmüller 1894 is widely known as the first two-wheeled machine with an engine referred to as a 'motorcycle,' Germany's Hildebrand & Wolfmüller is the world's first mass-produced motorcycle. Brothers Heinrich and Wilhelm Hildebrand, both steam engineers, collaborated with inventor Alois Wolfmüller and machinist Hans Geixenhof to design a four-stroke, twin-cylinder, gasoline-powered engine. About 2000 units were produced and sold to people who, up to that point, probably hadn't seen anything like it.
The engine of Hildebrand & Wolfmüller operates similarly to a steam engine. It uses horizontally opposed pistons with extended connecting rods, harnessing the rotational motion of the wheels to drive the crankshaft it's coupled to. The rear wheel rotates the crankshaft and acts as a flywheel, with sturdy rubber belts pulling the pistons upward into the cylinders to perform compression and exhaust strokes. The rubber belts also aid the rider in starting the motorcycle, which lacks a kickstand and pedals and requires a good push to get going. Wooden brakes applied to the front wheel are used to slow and stop this rudimentary machine, which can generate 2.5 horsepower and reach speeds of up to 30 km/h.
Hildebrand & Wolfmüller 1894 is the only surviving example of the world's first batch of motorized motorcycles. This bike utilizes a 4-stroke engine with a displacement of 1,488cc, producing 2.5 horsepower at 240 revolutions per minute. The bike weighs approximately 67kg and once had a maximum speed of around 50 km/h. Despite rust and inoperability, the rarity of this bike lies in its historical significance. Nowadays, you can only encounter the bike in museums in Germany, London, or Indonesia. This first motorcycle in the world is priced at $3.5 million USD.
7. Yamaha Roadstar BMS Chopper
Price: $3 million
Nehme, the owner of a company named Fort Lauderdale Broward Motorsports, founded the creative department BMS Choppers in 2003. They cater to the ordinary folks with custom bicycles and helicopters to cars and trucks, but they also believe in catering to celebrity clientele including folks like Flo Rida, Diddy, and Ice T. Nehme doesn't apologize for the work BMS Choppers does; he even holds Nehmesis in higher regard, perhaps one of the most famous Yamaha choppers in the world.
The BMS Choppers bike doesn't come with such a high price tag. Nehme himself estimates they've put in about $250,000 just in labor costs alone (6 months of working 18-hour days), $25,000 for 24-karat gold plating, and another $25,000 for custom deep 3D rims. Depending on who you trust, the total cost of the bike will go up to $500,000. Nehmesis started off as a Yamaha Road Star 1700, with just the 1.7-liter V-twin engine, engine cradle, and steering head retained. It was built from scratch by Nehme himself, machinist Ron Tilson, and fabricator Jonesy based on Nehme's sketches.
The Yamaha BMS is powered by a robust 1700cc engine. The bike's seat is upholstered in red velvet, and much of the body is adorned with 24-karat gold. Even from the exterior appearance, the extravagance and opulence of this bike are evident. The front monoshock is crafted from billet aluminum and extends over 36 inches. The rear swingarm is also one-sided, with a headlight integrated into the fender and body to illuminate the Vee Rubber tire that doesn't match at night. When cruising the streets with this bike, its owner surely doesn't need to brag; everyone knows it's worth a fortune. Priced at $3 million USD, it's enough to buy 2 Bugatti Veyrons.
8. 1949 E90 AJS Porcupine
Price: $7 million
In 1939, Donald Heather of AMC teamed up with former Norton racing chief Joe Craig along with designers/draftsmen Vic Webb and former engineer Vincent Phil Irving in an off-limits drawing office. The primary task of that office, Irving said, 'was mainly to design a racing type called the E90S, with the 'S' standing for 'Supercharged.' The goal of the E90S was to surpass the initial efforts of BMW (which won the 1939 500cc TT race with a twin-supercharged flat engine) and Gilera (which won the 1939 European Championship with a four-supercharged engine).
The 1949 E90 AJS Porcupine is a racing model produced by AJS company in 1949. However, they were unsuccessful in the first release of this model due to carburetor issues. The second-generation bikes released in 1954 addressed these limitations and won the championship in the Grand Prix race with rider Les Graham. Currently, this bike has been exhibited at the National Motorcycle Museum in England for many years with a staggering price. Only 4 bikes were ever produced worldwide, and the AJS design evolved in the subsequent years, making this bike one of the rarest models today. The bike is priced at $7 million USD.
The open frame, aluminum alloy, 500cc twin-cylinder engine, DOHC with horizontally placed head and cylinders helped the Porcupine achieve a low center of gravity. The 1949 E90 AJS Porcupine utilizes what's known as 'Jam-pot' shocks and Tele Draulic racing forks. The design and manufacturing decisions made by the AJS brand first through initial owners and then through subsequent owners read like a virtual and tangible source of ideas for any ambitious bicycle enthusiast. Enduring through the Cold War era, the Porcupine spent twenty years in the Coventry National Motorcycle Museum before being sold to discerning enthusiasts with deep pockets.
