Expensive and one of a kind.
Over the years, motorcycles have largely given way to cars as a form of personal transportation. Cars outperform motorcycles in many ways. Even so, interest in motorcycles has not declined. Much of that is due to the growth of motorcycle racing across a wide range of disciplines. More than anything else, motorsports continue to inspire engineers to create new design achievements.
This unique motorcycle was built by Icon Motorcycles using the mass-produced Suzuki GSX1400 as its foundation. The word "unique" is no exaggeration in the case of the Icon Sheene. The bike was produced in extremely limited numbers. It was created as a tribute to British motorcycle racing star Barry Sheene. No more than 52 examples were ever built, making it a true collector's item. The last one sold at auction fetched "just" $175,000. Along with its famous name and refined styling, the Icon Sheene features an engine producing nearly 250 horsepower. That allows the motorcycle to reach a top speed of about 199 mph.
This sportbike marked the revival of the once highly popular MV Agusta brand, whose roots date back to the early 20th century. The first generation of the modern F4 debuted in 1998. The motorcycle is widely credited to the late industrial designer Massimo Tamburini, who also designed motorcycles for Ducati and Cagiva. The second-generation F4 arrived in 2010. Production continued until 2018, and the motorcycle remains one of the most recognizable and sought-after models among sportbike enthusiasts. Its strong performance and striking design have made the F4 a dream for collectors. Prices start at about $117,000.
This sportbike features an aggressively lightweight design created by renowned designer Aldo Drudi. Combined with its 180-horsepower engine, the Testa Stretta Macchia delivers exceptional acceleration, handling, and responsiveness. Its only drawback is that it was never mass-produced. The Testa Stretta Macchia was built in an extremely limited production run. In other words, it has been a collector's item from the very beginning. That explains its enormous price, even by the standards of motorcycles in its class—at least about $199,000 apiece. At the same time, its styling is, to put it mildly, an acquired taste.
This well-known sportbike is still in production and remains popular among enthusiasts. The history of the Y2K lineup began in the early 2000s. The team behind the project was led by Christian Travert, a former racer and amateur engineer. Today, the Y2K is offered in three versions. Updated models were introduced in 2006 and 2015. In 2015, the Y2K became the world's first turbine-powered motorcycle producing as much as 420 horsepower. Among production motorcycles, it is still considered the fastest—and, unsurprisingly, the most expensive.
Another iconic motorcycle from MTT, this model was built using Rolls-Royce components and assemblies. Prices for this machine start at $250,000. Buyers are not paying that price simply for its 320-horsepower turbine engine, the renowned engineers and designers behind the project, its luxurious styling, or even the brand itself. What makes the Gas Turbine so expensive is one feature above all else—titanium. While it is not made entirely from titanium, the sportbike uses the material extensively. The widespread use of titanium alloys makes it exceptionally light while maintaining outstanding strength.
If this motorcycle looks like a design misstep, don't be too quick to judge. The British-built ES1 may not be the most visually striking bike in its class, but it is one of the fastest in the world. Its top speed is about 230 mph. More importantly, the ES1's design was driven by the engineers' goal of achieving maximum stability at the highest possible speed. The motorcycle was engineered and developed by Formula 1 specialists. It is still built today, but only by special order. It is also one of the most expensive motorcycles available, with a price of $3.6 million.
Finally, it's worth mentioning another remarkable motorcycle that was never put into production. The Dodge Tomahawk was not built even in a limited production run and exists as a single example. It is a concept motorcycle created by Dodge engineers in 2003 to showcase the company's engineering and design capabilities. Like the ES1 mentioned above, the Tomahawk V10 makes extensive use of titanium components. The motorcycle was previously displayed in Detroit. Today, it apparently resides in a private collection.