Next month, Vegas is hosting two of the biggest motorcycle auctions in the world thanks to Bonhams and Mecum. Let’s start with the former. Bonhams has 345 lots of offer, nearly all of which are motorcycles. Here’s my favorite 5:
Click here for a full list of the lots if you just want to get right to the good stuff.
1. 2004 Yamaha MT-01 – estimated to sell between $7,000-$10,000. This won’t be particularly special to international readers, but the MT-01 (also known as the Bulldog) was never officially sold in the US. I find it fascinating, mostly due to the 1,700cc V-Twin powerplant. This example (VIN: R615E000890) is extra special because it was imported by Mike Corbin so that his company could use it to develop products for. It then got engine work, carbon fiber wheels, Akrapovic exhaust, and a Corbin Smuggler seat. There can’t be many MT-01s in the US, and I want this one as my new daily rider!
2. 2008 KTM 990 Super Duke R Custom – estimated to sell between $10,000 – $15,000. Called SuperSpinne (which is German for Super Spider), this crazy KTM was built by Mark Dugally of MADercycles. The styling is a bit too outrageous for me but it’s definitely one of a kind.
3. 1949 Indian-Vincent Prototype – estimated to sell between $250,000-%300,000. This was the potentially incredible collaboration between the heads of Vincent and Indian. They explored two prototypes – one was an Indian Chief with a Vincent Rapide enigne (called the Vindian), the other was a Vincent Rapide customized with Indian parts to appeal more to the average American consumer. What you see is the latter prototype, though it’s had quite a story since Indian went bankrupt the first time around. It’s been restored and is currently a runner.
4. Widowmaker 7 – 1971 EJ Potter Chevrolet V8 “Widowmaker drag bike – estimated to sell between $65,000 – $85,000. In 1973, the Guinness World Book of Records named this the World’s Fastest Motorcycle. It features a 500 horsepower, Chevy 350 with aluminum heads, gear driven cam, and fuel injection. It ran the quarter mile at 8.68 at 172 miles per hour! Nearly four years ago, this bike went up for sale on eBay and it did not meet reserve at $35,100.
5. 2013 Ecosse Founder’s Edition Titanium Heretic – estimated to sell between $150,000-$175,000. This was built for Ecosse’s founder, Don Atchinson, to celebrate the company’s 10 year anniversary. The 2,100cc (!) V-Twin produces 118 horsepower and a stonking 145 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired with a titanium chassis, Ohlins TTX suspension, radial brakes, carbon fiber wheels, and a fair bit of lunacy. If you’ve got the dough, Ecosse is now doing a supercharged version which puts down 200 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque in a package that weighs 440 pounds.
6. Bonus action because I can’t pick just 5. 1973 Ducati 750 Works Racer – estimated to sell between $100,000 – $140,000. This was a spare bike built for the ’73 Bol d’Or 24 hours. This is the third of three bikes built for Ducati’s attempt at the race. They campaigned two bikes and this sat by as the spare. It then competed (with a different engine) in the ’74 Isle of Man Formula 750 TT, and it made its way through multiple owners and multiple races. Though it’s obviously no longer competitive, the history is impressive. It’s one of 6 true factory works race bikes built in 1973 by Ducati. It runs but will need some work if you want to stretch its legs again…
There’s over 300 more bikes to peruse, so click here if you want to see the rest! Who’s going to be there?