Motorcycle enthusiasts often have a coveted list of dream bikes, but there exist rare and exclusive motorcycles that are incredibly hard to find, let alone acquire. These exceptional machines have etched their mark in history, set records, and captivated the world with their remarkable performance and exquisite design. In this blog post, we delve into the realm of the top 10 rarest motorcycles in the world, highly coveted by collectors and aficionados. Discover what sets these extraordinary bikes apart as we explore the realm where passion, freedom, and adventure converge. Brace yourself for a glimpse into the unparalleled allure of these sought-after masterpieces.
10. Brough Superior SS100
The Brough Superior SS100 was dubbed the “Rolls-Royce of motorcycles” by none other than T.E. Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia, who owned seven of them.
Only 69 of these bikes were made between 1924 and 1940, and each one was custom-built to the buyer’s specifications.
The SS100 had a top speed of over 100 mph, which was remarkable for its time. A Brough Superior SS100 sold for $495,000 in 2015.
It was dubbed as the “Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles” for its quality, craftsmanship, and speed.
The SS100 had a V-twin engine that could reach up to 130 mph, making it one of the fastest bikes of its time.
Only around 3,000 units were ever made, and many of them were lost or destroyed during World War II.
Today, a Brough Superior SS100 can fetch up to $600,000 at auctions.
9. Munch Mammut 2000
The Munch Mammut 2000 is a monstrous motorcycle that was created by German engineer Friedel Munch in 2000.
It was an updated version of his original Mammut model from the 1960s, which was powered by a car engine from NSU.
He used a 2-liter engine from a car and fitted it with a turbocharger, resulting in a monstrous machine that could produce 260 horsepower and reach speeds of over 200 mph.
The bike weighed over 600 pounds and had a futuristic design with carbon fiber bodywork and LED lights. Only 15 units were ever made, and each one cost around $100,000.
8. Honda NR750
The Honda NR750 is a rare and revolutionary motorcycle that was produced by Honda in 1992.
It was based on the NR500 racing bike that Honda developed in the late 1970s to compete in the Grand Prix.
The NR750 had a unique oval-piston engine that had eight valves per cylinder and could rev up to 15,000 rpm, giving it the equivalent of a V16 engine.
The bike also had a sleek aerodynamic design with a single-sided swingarm and an under-seat exhaust.
Only 200 units were ever made, and each one cost $50,000. Today, a Honda NR750 can sell for over $150,000.
7. Triumph 5T Speed Twin 500
The Triumph 5T Speed Twin 500 is a classic British motorcycle that was produced by Triumph from 1938 to 1966.
It was the first successful parallel-twin engine design, which offered more power and smoothness than the single-cylinder engines of the time.
The Speed Twin had a 500cc engine that delivered 27 horsepower and could reach up to 90 mph.
It also had a lightweight frame and a sleek design that influenced many subsequent models.
The bike was also lightweight and agile, making it popular among racers and enthusiasts alike. Only around 50,000 units were ever made between 1938 and 1940, and many of them were exported to the US and other countries.
6. Aprilia RSV4 RR Misano
The Aprilia RSV4 RR Misano is a limited-edition motorcycle that was released by Aprilia in 2021 to celebrate its racing heritage and achievements.
The motorcycle was inspired by the iconic livery of the Aprilia RS250 that won the first World Championship title for the brand in 1994 at the Misano circuit.
It features a 999cc V4 engine that delivers 201 horsepower and a sophisticated electronics package that includes traction control, wheelie control, and launch control and could reach up to 186 mph.
The bike also had advanced electronic features such as traction control, wheelie control, launch control, and cornering ABS.
The Misano edition pays tribute to Aprilia’s racing heritage with a livery inspired by the Italian flag and the Misano circuit.
Only 100 units were ever made, and each one cost $18,000.
5. Rickman Enfield Interceptor
The Rickman Enfield Interceptor is a rare and beautiful motorcycle that was created by Rickman Motorcycles in collaboration with Royal Enfield in the late 1960s.
Rickman Motorcycles was a British company that specialized in building high-performance frames and kits for various engines and models.
The Interceptor had a Rickman frame that was fitted with a Royal Enfield Interceptor engine, which was a 736cc parallel-twin that produced 52 horsepower and could reach up to 115 mph.
The result was a stunning bike that offered both performance and style. The Rickman Enfield Interceptor was produced between 1969 and 1971, and only about 140 of them were made.
4. Crocker Big Tank
The Crocker Big Tank is one of the rarest, fastest and most expensive motorcycles in history.
It was made by Crocker Motorcycle Company in Los Angeles from 1936 to 1942. The bike was also customized to the specifications and preferences of each buyer, making each one unique.
Only around 100 units were ever made, and many of them were lost or destroyed during World War II. Today, a Crocker Big Tank can fetch up to $700,000 at auctions.
The Crocker Big Tank had a massive V-twin engine that could produce up to 60 horsepower and reach speeds of over 110 mph. It also had a distinctive fuel tank that gave it its name.
3. Coventry Eagle
The Coventry Eagle is a vintage British motorcycle that was produced by Coventry Eagle Cycle and Motor Company from 1901 to 1939.
The company started as a bicycle manufacturer and later switched to motorcycles.
The Coventry Eagle had a range of models and engines, but the most famous and sought-after one was the Flying 8, which was introduced in 1923.
The Flying 8 had a 980cc V-twin engine that produced 25 horsepower and could reach up to 80 mph.
The bike also had a striking appearance with a large fuel tank and a long wheelbase.
2. 1911 Levis
Founded by the Butterfield brothers in 1911 Levis was another British motorcycle brand that made some of the finest bikes in the pre-war era.
Levis specialized in lightweight and agile machines that were popular among racers and enthusiasts.
The most notable model was the 1911 Levis, which was the first motorcycle to win the Isle of Man TT race.
The Levis had a 211cc two-stroke single-cylinder engine that produced 2.5 horsepower and could reach up to 50 mph.
The bike was also lightweight and reliable, making it popular among racers and enthusiasts alike.
Only around 1,000 units were ever made, and only a few of them survive today.
In 2018, a 1911 Levis sold for $143,000 at Bonhams Auction in Stafford.
1. 1916 Traub
The 1916 Traub is the rarest and most mysterious motorcycle on earth. It was built by an unknown engineer named Richard Traub in Chicago in 1916.
The Traub had a V-twin engine that could produce up to 85 mph, making it one of the fastest bikes of its time.
The bike also had advanced features such as twin cams, chain-driven magneto, and a three-speed transmission.
The Traub was discovered in 1967 hidden behind a wall in a basement of a house in Cicero, Illinois. No one knows how it got there or who owned it before.
Today, the Traub is owned by Dale Walksler, the founder of Wheels Through Time Museum in North Carolina.