Some can build up a bike made up purely of junkyard parts. Others prefer a built up bike done by accomplished choppers, like Paulie Teutul of the Discovery Channel show American Choppers. Most prefer to buy off the rack from a known brand like Ducati, Benelli, Terra Modena, Rickman, Indian or Harley Davidson. Those with the money may consider any of the following. This is a list of the top ten most expensive motorcycles in the world.
1. Ecosse ES1 Superbike – $3.6 million
When F1 engineers from the United Kingdom were commissioned to help create a superbike, speed was naturally the first order of the day. With its composite construction and electronic control system, this bike is fast, light and handles easily. American designers were on hand to give the bike an ergonomic fitment. During testing, the bike, which is powered by a modified IL4 engine, went at a top speed of 250 miles per hour and the engine was good enough for 200 bhp. This bike will only be built upon order.
2. Harley Davidson Cosmic Starship – $1 million
The artist Jack Armstrong owns this bike. Harley Davidson has long been a favorite of American bikers, and many have taken the liberty of customizing their ride. Armstrong had his Harley Davidson custom painted using his exclusive style called Cosmic Extensionalism. Extreme colors and textures were meshed into the bike, which Armstong calls the Cosmic Starship. Indeed, this is not just a motorcycle; it is pure artwork.
3. Dodge Tomahawk V10 Superbike – $555,000
Just looking at it and you know you’ve got a beast in your hands. The bike is equipped with an 8.3 liter, V10 engine that was sourced from the Dodge Viper. With 500 horsepower, the bike can go at a top speed of 420 miles per hour and can accelerate to 62 miles per hour in just 2.6 seconds. There are two wheels on both sides to provide extra stability.
4. Yamaha Roadstar BMS Chopper – $500,000
Nicknamed the Nehmesis after its creator Sam Nehme of BMS Choppers, this features a Yamaha Roadstar plated in gold. All the parts are gold-plated as well, with a red velvet seat providing a nice contrast to accentuate the bike’s look.
5. Ecosse Titanium Series FE Ti XX – $300,000
Only 10 of this were ever made. The bike features a 2.4i billet aluminum power plant that can rip out a loud 225 horsepower. And when you buy this bike, you get not just the motorcycle, but also a matching timepiece designed by BRM. To ensure authenticity, the clamps on the handlebar and the VIN plate are carved with matching serial numbers similar to that of the timepiece.
6. Ducati Desmosedici D16RR NCR M16 – $232,500
The Ducati Desmosedici D16RR is a nice bike that cost $72,500. Take it to NCR for a tune up job, and if you are willing to shell out $160,000 for it, you will get this bike nicknamed the Millona 16. It is fast, with the Ducati 989cc V-4 motor that is already capable of 175 horsepower further tuned up to get it over 200 horsepower. Traction control, data recording and user-selectable maps have also been added. The bike is also powerful, with the frame, swing arm, wheels, fuel tank, fairing, tails and fenders made of carbon fiber. Other parts are made of titanium and avionic grade aluminum. It is also extremely light, coming in at 319 pounds, which is around 15 percent less than the original.
7. Ducati Testa Stretta NCR Macchia Nera Concept – $225,000
This bike has a V-2, four-stroke engine has a six-speed transmission and is capable of 185 horsepower with top speed that can go up to 230 miles per hour. The metals and alloys are made of titanium and aluminum, while the frame is made of carbon fiber. The bike is simple and is pleasing to the eye, with a uniqueness that makes it stand out from other custom bikes. Macchia Nera is Italian for Black Spot, but NCR sure hit the bull’s eye with this one.
8. Suzuki AEM Carbon Fiber Hayabusa – $160,000 to 200,000
This is a special bike created by Suzuki in collaboration with AEM. It was unveiled at the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas in 2008. The show is one of the most prestigious automotive shows in the world. The bike itself is built using nothing but carbon fiber, making it extremely light. The light frame also allows its engine, whose management system was done by AEM, to rev the bike up to 186 miles per hour.
9. MTT Turbine Streetfighter with Rolls Royce Turbine Engine – $175,000
This bike is armed with the Allison turbine engine from Rolls Royce. It can generate up to 320 horsepower with torque of 576 Newton meters, or Nm. If you still need some further speed, MTT can have it upgraded to 420 horsepower and 680 Nm. The bike has registered a top speed of 249 miles per hour. The frame is made of tubular aluminum, the 17-inch wheels of carbon fiber, two-speed automatic transmission that distributes power to the rear wheel as well, and Brembo brakes. It can run using either diesel or kerosene. It also has a rear-mounted camera and an LCD color display.
10. Icon Sheene – $172,000
Barry Sheene is a legendary British motorcycle road racer. Mike Fairholme, who had painted the helmets used by Sheene in the latter’s races, decided to create a tribute bike for the biking icon. Only 52 were built, and it features a 1400cc Suzuki engine with a Garrett turbocharger. It also has an image hand painted by Fairholme himself.