Media | Articles
This 1915 Cyclone Is the Most Expensive Motorcycle Ever Sold at Auction
The annual Scottsdale auctions have one of everything, but variety often fails to bring the most dedicated buyers. Case in point is Mecum’s annual motorcycle-only auction, which took place just 311 miles up the road in Las Vegas and set a new auction record when this 1915 Cyclone V-twin motorcycle sold for $1.32 million.
This result is the first public sale over one million dollars for a motorcycle, but if the Cyclone name is not the one you expected to see attached to that figure, you are likely not alone. The Cyclone brand produced motorcycles for just three years in the early 20th century. It is believed only about a dozen Cyclone motorcycles remain, and only a handful of those are in racing configuration. The bike that brought the record price is of course one of the racing models, best described as a roadster.

In the simple tubular steel frame rides a 61-cubic-inch V-twin claimed to have produced 45 horsepower. That kind of power raises a few eyebrows, but also curious is just how the engine made such power. The engine featured overhead camshafts driven by bevel gears, all controlling the airflow in and out of hemispherical combustion chambers. The entire rotating assembly features roller bearings, an advanced construction that put the Cyclone far ahead of its time. This machine was also restored by expert Stephen Wright, which lends credibility to its presentation.



In double-checking the sales record, James Hewitt, operations manager of Hagerty Valuation Services, called out a few interesting notes with respect to this sale and how top sales of motorcycles both parallel and diverge from top car sales. The previous motorcycle record holder was a 1908 Harley-Davidson strap tank, which was one of the earliest models from the then-fledging Milwaukee-based motor company. In fact, 11 of the top 15 motorcycle sale results are for pre-WWII models, compared the car market where the first prewar car appears in 15th place. All of those 11 prewar motorcycles are American-made, too, a shift that Hewitt traces back to the peak of British machines like Brough Superior and Vincent in 2015.
The motorcycle market has now broken a ceiling that, quite honestly, I was surprised to still see intact. Much like most other vehicles at this price point, the Cyclone is an example of something that is interesting for a variety or reasons, its rarity among them. It was a winner on the board tracks and it sure seems like both buyer and seller are winners today.

I too am surprised the million dollar mark had not been broken earlier by the Harley or something else earlier.
WOW!!!!!!!!!
Amazing specs for the time. Cyclone went all out. Imagine being at the first race?
Makes me wonder what my friend’s Winchester motorcycle would go for, consider it is one of two known left in existence?
45 hp? The literature says 7-8. Quite a discrepancy.
Ya Good Buddy! I NOTICED THAT ALSO! What’s Up With That! I’m WONDERING!
Sales specs say 7 to 8 horsepower which seems realistic for that era. 45 horsepower is not believable from 61 cubic inches in 1915.
Darn Good Point, Good Buddy!