Between now and the next Mecum motorcycle auction in Las Vegas, which takes place Jan. 28-31, 2026, at the South Point Hotel & Casino, we’ll be previewing some of the collectible machines that will cross the block.
In our previous post, we previewed American motorcycles. This post focuses on racing motorcycles. Many highly desirable motorcycles are already listed on Mecum’s website, and new lots and collections are being added daily.
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Let’s kick it off with a truly special racebike, a super rare 1978 Ducati NCR900 Factory Racer (lot R461). This Italian stallion was only ever ridden for parade laps in 2011 in New Zealand by legendary Grand Prix racer Paul Smart, and Mecum says it gets Ian Falloon’s stamp of approval as the real deal. This original NCR factory racebike has a 905cc air-cooled squarecase L-twin engine with bevel-driven camshafts, desmodromic valves, and race-modified Dell’Orto PHM 40 carbs. Wrapped around the engine is a Daspa frame, and the chassis includes Marzocchi suspension and magnesium Campagnolo wheels with original Michelin S41 front and rear TV4 race tires. The whole thing is housed within a hand-laid fiberglass fairing with red and silver livery. Molto bello!
Another drool-worthy bike from Bologna coming up for auction is a 1972 Ducati 750 Imola Race Replica (lot R479) that was also ridden by Paul Smart for demonstration laps during the New Zealand Classic in 2011. This tribute to the legendary 1972 Ducati Imola 200 racebikes has an air-cooled 748cc roundcase L-twin engine with bevel driven camshafts, desmodromic valves, and twin 40mm Dell’Orto carbs. Its fiberglass bodywork and race petrol tank with clear fuel level stripe are painted silver, and the frame is painted blue. This bike is a runner, and it was displayed in the Museo Ducati on the grounds of the Ducati factory in Italy prior to its current ownership.
For you Beemerphiles, the 1994 BMW R1100RS that Gary Nixon campaigned in the Battle of the Legends series is up for sale (lot N319). Nixon certainly qualifies as a legend: He was AMA Grand National Champion in 1967 and 1968, winner of 19 AMA Grand National Races, and winner of the 1967 Daytona 200. Nixon came in 1st at Daytona in the BMW Legends Series in 1995 on this bike, and he placed 2nd in overall points for the entire series, 1992-1996. This 1,085cc air-cooled Boxer still has its safety wiring, tech inspection sticker, and Nixon’s number plates, and the bike comes with Nixon’s BMW Legends windbreaker, BMW series race videos, Legends book, and Legends baseball cap.
If you like early 20th century European iron, you can bid on a 1926 Moto Guzzi C2V Race Bike (lot R575) that was the 2nd Place winner at the 2024 Quail Motorcycle Gathering, or a 1934 Rudge JAP Speedway racer (lot N297) that comes with a steel hot shoe custom-made by Ken Maely in 1967.
Like classic Honda GP bikes? How about a 0-mile 2004 Honda CB50R (lot N20), one of only 440 limited-production, race-only replicas of the 1962 RC110, Honda’s first 50cc Grand Prix racer? This silver bullet has a high-performance 49cc single-cylinder DOHC engine rated at 7 hp. It’s bump-start only but has never been fueled, started, or ridden. This featherweight machine has a fuel tank, fenders, and other components made of aluminum, and it even retains factory torque marks on bolts. This CB50R has been part of an indoor static display in a private collection since 2017, so it might look sweet in your office or living room.
When the Indian FTR750 was raced in American Flat Track, it dominated the series, winning eight consecutive SuperTwins championships from 2017-24. It would probably have won an ninth championship in 2025 if not for a rule change that banned the FTR750 from competition. You can bid on one of these legendary factory racebikes, a 2017 Indian Scout FTR750 Flat Track Racer, serial No. 11 (lot N409). It has a 748cc four-stroke V-Twin, a 4-speed gearbox, an ultra-light steel frame, carbon fiber bodywork, Öhlins suspension, and forged Roland Sands Design wheels.
Speaking of Indians, in our American motorcycles post, we highlighted a 1912 Hedstrom 8-Valve Board Track Racer (lot N358), two 1916 Harley-Davidson 8-Valve Board Track Racers (lot N360 and lot R706), and a 1922 Harley 8-Valve Board Track Racer (shown above, lot N361) that will all cross the block in January. Antique bikes like these often command the highest bids at auction, so these will be bikes to watch.
If knobby tires are your thing, check out a 1976 Penton 250 MC5 (lot W143) built to commemorate the life of John Penton, who passed away in September at the age of 100. Though this MC5 has never been raced, it’s primed and ready for vintage motocross. It has an air-cooled 250cc 2-stroke single-cylinder engine rated at 47 hp, a 6-speed transmission, a chromoly frame, and Works Performance air shocks.
Stay tuned for future posts where we’ll highlight more cool motorcycles that could be yours – all you need to do is be the highest bidder!
To see the full listing of motorcycles up for auction in January, go to the Mecum website, click on the Buy tab, and select Motorcycles. You can also register to bid at the auction, either in-person, online, or by phone.
