In the past, several motorcycle companies came and went almost overnight. As a result, there are several rare motorcycles from all over the world that don’t really hold much value. For motorcycles in particular, simply being rare or obscure doesn’t necessarily make them particularly collectible. Like anything in this world, something is only worth as much as somebody else is willing to pay for it.
All these bikes have a story to tell, and that story is what makes them historically significant. This principle has made several of these bikes worth huge sums of money because of what collectors have been willing to pay for them. In some cases, collectors will spend decades trying to hunt down some of these ultra-rare motorcycles.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the Britten Motorcycle Company. Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research, and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from oldest to newest.
The Forgotten Powerhouse: Britten’s 170-Horsepower Motorcycles From The 1990s
The Britten V1000 is physical proof that David really can beat Goliath
1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank
Price Range: Over $300,000
Most of the original motorcycles were essentially just bicycles with engines attached to them, not dissimilar to what we are seeing in the world of electric bicycles these days. As a result, these interpretations are not often regarded as significant, or collectible, but there are a few unique exceptions. This particular bike made near the turn of the 20th century was where it all started for Harley-Davidson, and that certainly makes it worth something.
1929 Brough Superior SS100
Price Range: $200,000 – $300,000
This was one of the very first high-performance motorcycles. With its exceptional build quality, the “Rolls-Royce of motorcycles” represented the pinnacle of motorcycling between the two wars. The “SS100” is indicative of the motorcycle’s top speed of 100 MPH, which was tested and then certified by the manufacturer. In the 20s, this was one of the fastest motorcycles on the planet.
1938 Crocker “Small Tank” Twin
Price Range: Over $300,000
At the time, this was one of the most advanced motorcycles ever made. These OHV V-twins were revolutionary, but with Crocker being a relatively small company, they also cost a fortune to manufacture. It was also hard to convince buyers why it was worth paying more for these machines back in the 30s. The contribution that Crocker made to the industry is appreciated far more these days, and the few bikes which got produced are now highly collectible.
Why The Crocker V-Twin Is Worth A Million Dollars
A legendary American motorcycle that gave Harley-Davidson and Indian a run for their money
1950 Vincent Black Lightning
Price Range: $200,000 – $300,000
The Black Lightning was an out-and-out race bike, and back in the 50s, nothing was faster. Today, these machines are exceedingly rare and have set all sorts of records at auctions around the world. Prices have reached the $1 million mark before, but that is not necessarily a depiction of the bike’s actual value. These bikes sell more consistently for between $200k and $300k.
1960 Matchless G50 Racer
Price Range: $30,000 – $40,000
Back in the 50s and early 60s, the British motorcycle industry was at the peak of its powers. One of the many great bikes to come out of this era was the potent single-cylinder Matchless G50 race bike. While it was never an especially rare bike, it is almost impossible to find an original example these days. The hunt for an original is made even harder because several accurate replicas were also made, and all look identical to the untrained eye.
1974 Ducati 750SS (Green Frame)
Price Range: $150,000 – $200,000
With only 401 of these “Green Frame” 750 Super Sports made, this is exceedingly rare compared to other Super Sports. The livery was based on Paul Smart’s Imola 200 winning bike, and certainly stands out from the usually red crowd of Ducatis. Back in the 70s and 80s, this was just a fun, fast motorcycle and was not necessarily preserved. So finding a complete bike like the one pictured is not easy.
1990 Honda VFR750R (RC30)
Price Range: $40,000 – $50,000
Not to be confused with the VFR750F, the VFR750R (or RC30) was a pure homologation special of the highest order. This was designed to win WorldSBK titles, and with only 3,000 made to satisfy homologation requirements, these rare machines are now highly collectible today. By modern standards, its 118 horsepower and 488 pounds might not seem all that special, but you can bet that the race bike was both lighter and more powerful by the time Honda’s racing team was done with it.
Why Honda Made The Limited-Run VFR750F Superbike
Honda proved that they could get the VFR750 right the second time around.
1991 Bimota 1D Tesi
Price Range: $60,000 – $70,000
Today, we are all familiar with the modern Tesi. But, back in the early 90s, it was far more experimental. Hub-center steering is an elegant solution from an engineering standpoint, but it just feels so different to ride compared to a conventional motorcycle that pro riders were unable to make good on the potential. This didn’t stop famed frame builder Bimota from building a production version. This original version is now exceedingly rare.
1992 Honda NR750
Price Range: $90,000 – $100,000
From the outside, this looks like a regulation 90s sports bike, but it is, as they say, what is on the inside that counts. Underneath all those plastics lies an oval-piston V4 engine, an engineering marvel without peer. This pseudo V8 was all about its engine, but its design, which was mostly functional, left a lasting impression on one Massimo Tamburini. Similarities between this bike and the now-famous Ducati 916 are not coincidental.
1992 Britten V1000
Price Range: Over $300,000
In the world of motorsport, there are several race bikes that are built, used, abused, and subsequently forgotten. They are functional items and are not often preserved, but this is not your average race bike. These bikes were painstakingly engineered and built by John Britten and his dedicated team from the ground up. Everything from the engine to the unique suspension was built by hand in New Zealand. With only 10 bikes built, they are exceedingly rare, but it is the story of David taking on Goliath – a privateer taking on manufacturer-backed teams – that makes them so valuable. Tangible two-wheeled proof that with enough faith and determination, impossible dreams can come true.