The Rarest Motorcycles

Motorcycles are dangerous and seductive from old to new, vintage to fresh, power to style. Opposed to its counterpart with four wheels, this two-wheel demon is for pros only. So make way as we get into the sickest, most outrageously expensive, and most innovative bikes on earth.

Note to reader: The human capability for excellence is infinite, especially when limits are pushed.

Ducati 1199 Superleggera

The Ducati Superleggera is straight-up bad. This ultra-exclusive motorcycle can’t even be used on the speedway, as it was literally banned from the World Superbike competition. That's how fast it goes; they don't even let you compete if you own it.

The Superleggera was modeled after the Ducati 1199 Panigale with a brand-new carbon fiber makeover. Every nut, bolt, and screw are now carbon fiber infused. The Super leggera includes the iconic Rosso-Corsa reddish-orange paint, a classic Ducati exclusive colorway. Only 500 were built, and all have been sold except for supposedly a rumored 50. So, if you get your hands on one, don’t hesitate.

Ducati Paul Smart 1000

Named after British road racer and Grand Prix rider Paul Smart, this was built in honor of his famous Imola race victory in 72. The structure and appearance are in tribute to the bike Paul used to make history, the 750 Imola Desmo. This was supposed to recreate the café racer-like feel. A homage to 70s motorbikess. Collectors who know, know. This ride is timeless. Classy. And one hell of a heavy fever of polished green finished frames and Italian Pirelli phantom tires.

1939 Crocker “Big Tank”

The 1939 Crocker “Big Tank” inspires any two-wheeler manufacturer worldwide. The crocker was Considered the first “factory custom,” including a scallop paint job and polished cast-aluminum fuel tanks. The hot trend began in the US. This trend consisted of riders chopping the frames of their Harley-Davidson bikes, making them lower and stockier for the best handling possible. Crockers are known to be reliable and sturdy and are an all-time barnyard classic. This was sold for $715,000 American dollars at a Mecum auction.

1949 Vincent Black Lightning Supercharged

Crafted by Reg Dearden, Vincent motorbikes are some of the most mystifying collectible motorcycles out there. Any decent bike aficionado would know everything about the machinery, which makes Vincent Bikes stand out from the rest as one of the founders who laid down the blueprint for ride-making. We are talking about legendary world-speed rides meant to break world records in the late 1940s and early 1950s, most importantly, the world speed record of 1949.

In the quest to achieve the speed record, 11 Black Lightnings were summoned. Dark Lightning is fast and disruptive, and they are celebrated for their high prices. None of the Lightnings were actually ever used for the global speed record.

The Yamaha BMS Chopper

The Yamaha BMS chopper sold for $3 million in 2022 due to its irresistible aesthetics and ridiculously opulent features, including the whole bike being made out of 24-karat gold and a red velvet-upholstered seat for your derriere. That being said, this two-wheeler is strictly a collector's item, not for actual use. It is kept as a visual stimulus or as an entertainment room centerpiece.

1949 E90 AJS Porcupine

This AJS bike manufacturer only constructed four Porcupine units in 1949. The Porcupine has an open frame and “jam-pot” shocks, which make it look kind of silly to the uninitiated. The extremely rare motorbike has a 500 cc aluminum alloy engine. An interesting fact is that one of the four bikes was considered so special that it was housed and left on display at the Coventry National Motorcycle Museum for twenty years. The Porcupine is worth a sumptuous $7 million dollars.

British Vincent Black Shadow

Some may say the original gangster of motorbikes, the Black Shadow, is unrivaled when it comes to rare. Assembled in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, anyone who has ever encountered a shadow knows why it made the list. Vincent HRD produced some of the fastest and most slick autos known to man up until closing its factory in 1955. Like the dark lightning, the dark Shadow is known for being the first superbike of its kind. In February 1948, the Black Shadow was released, featuring as the newest and fastest bike, pushing 125 mph.

1938 Crocker

Designed by the visionary Al Crocker of the famous Crocker motorbike company, the 1938 Crocker originally came built with an Indian engine.

Crocker was a former dealer of Indian Scooters and even had his own Indian dealership. WWII ended Crocker's dream of producing more bikes. Crocker was only able to make about hundreds of them in his lifetime. Today, a Crocker bike goes for $300-$400K.

Whether you're into mega rare classic super bikes, or outrageously priced moto-bikes, crotch rockets are badass. From 7 million dollar Yamaha Choppers to basically mythical Vincent Black Shadows, there's a little bit of something for every ride enthusiast out there on this list.

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