Motorcycles are articles of passion and nothing says passion more than a carefully curated collection. The appeal of having a highly coveted ensemble is rooted deep in our primal psyche and feeds off of the thrill, obsession, and chase related to hunting down our objects of desire. Not every motorcycle, however, is collection worthy and it takes a keen eye to spot the diamonds in the rough.

So we have compiled a list of 15 American motorcycles which would do justice to any respectable bike collection because there is more to American motorcycles than modified and custom-built Harley Davidsons. These motorcycles have been handpicked for having achieved exemplary accolades of some sort.

The entries include record-holders, Hollywood stars, state-of-the-art performance machines, pioneers of the future, and even vintage milestones. All contenders on the list are products of American bike manufacturers and more importantly excellent examples of American ingenuity, drive, and spirit.

15 Ronin 47

Only 47 examples of these motorcycles were built using a Buell 1125. Not only does the limited production run make this bike a must-have for any collector but the fact that Ronin continues to offer an updated iteration of 1125 (which went out of production back in 2010) is also a bonus not unlike the standard 1125, a Ronin 47 get surprise tag of $38,000.

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14 Confederate FA-13

The confederate motorcycle company is responsible for bringing us some of the most premium American exotic motorcycles the world has ever seen. The FA-13 is no different which justifies its $170,000 price tag. For that kind of money, customers get a four-stroke V2 engine that produces 150 BHP and a body that can be best described as industrial artwork.

13 Indian FTR 1200

Another factor that makes a motorcycle collection-worthy is its lineage. The Indian 1200 FTR draws its inspiration from the 750 race bikes of yesteryear. The motorcycle gets golden upside-down front forks and a mono-shock suspension at the rear. Powering this monster is a 1203 cc 120 BHP motor.

12 Confederate X132 Hellcat

This motorcycle comes with a long list of celebrity endorsement which includes the likes of Tom Cruise and David Beckham. The Confederate Hellcat X132 uses the company’s next-generation chassis design and is powered by a 121 BHP motor. This is also a smart collector purchase seeing how when it was new, hellcat was offered with a $45000 price tag and the bike’s prices have been appreciating ever since.

11 XBuell

XBuell racing is a perfect example of what happens when the traditional silhouette of a street fighter is reimagined using next-generation designing techniques. The motorcycle was built using CAD and AutoDesk software and was brought to life with the help of 3D printers. Designer Paulo Tesio went to great lengths to ensure that every part (except the engine) is bespoke to this machine including the telescopic fork fairing.

10 YouTube 1936 Harley Knucklehead

Another celebrity favorite on our list is the 1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. This bike boasts of a clientele that includes comedian Jay Leno and for good reason. This was one of the fastest motorcycles of its time and came with a four-speed gearbox while most motorcycles of the time ran with a 3-speed unit. The motorcycle is also responsible for the silhouette which to this day defines the iconic Harley-Davidson stance.

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9 1991 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

This entry is not only an important part of American motorcycle history but is also an ambassador of millennial nostalgia and a Hollywood movie icon. The 1991 Harley Davidson Fatboy was featured in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and was the trusted steed of the title character portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger. A good example will not only appreciate over the years but can also be used as a daily rider.

8 Indian 1912

Don't expect to get this motorcycle for cheap it is over a century old and runs on a single-cylinder two-stroke engine. Even by modern standards, a good example of this 1912 Indian motorcycle is one of the prettiest two-wheelers one can buy. The motorcycle produces 4 horsepower and the motor is mated to a single-speed gearbox.

7 Harley Live Wire

A good motorcycle collection does not just offer a glimpse into the past but must also be a representative of the future. As the automotive industry moves towards electrification any collector around the world must jump at the opportunity of getting their hands on an example of Harley Davidson Live Wire. This is not just the first Harley to go electric with a 100 BHP powertrain but was also part of the Avengers: Age of Ultron star cast.

6 Zero Motorcycle S/F

As Harley-Davidson is just venturing out into the space of electric motorcycles, one pioneering American bike manufacturer has already established itself as the leader in the segment. Established back in 2006, Zero Motorcycles has improved its technology leaps and bounds ahead of the competition and a perfect example of this is the SR/F. At $19000, the motorcycle is completely new including the 80 kW, 200-mile range powertrain.

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5 KRGT-1

Arch Motorcycles is probably the only name in the premium sport cruiser segment. Add to that the fact that Keanu Reeves is the owner of the company and that every motorcycle is tailor-built to fit the owner, and you have a USP worthy of an upscale collection.

The wheels are carbon fiber and the subframe, panels, and, the swing arm is all made out of aluminum to save weight. The American V-Twin 121 BHP motor also comes with the company’s proprietary downdraft induction system technology.

4 MTT Y2K Turbine

The MTT Y2K motorcycle is a legend for being not just the only Street legal turboshaft powered Jet bike in existence but also for being the most powerful production motorcycle of its time.

Even though the motorcycle uses a Rolls-Royce turboshaft engine at its heart, it was American ingenuity that brought this offering into reality making it worthy of any deserving collection.

3 Method 143

Arch motorcycle describes Method 143 as the ultimate concept production bike. The motorcycle has been designed as an opportunity for the owner to procure technology and design which was once limited to concept bikes.

The bike is built out of premium elements like carbon fiber, fine leather, and aluminum. The highlight of the motorcycle is its mono cell carbon fiber chassis.

2 The Musket V-Twin

Here’s another American motorcycle that used a British motor as its driving force. The Muscat V-Twin Royal Enfield is available in 700cc and 1000 cc variants and was designed by Ohio-based Aniket Vardhan.

Vardhan designed the framework for mating the two single cylinders together including casting the crankcases and machining all the ancillary parts.

1 Harley-Davidson Pan America

Harley-Davidson Pan America is an aspirational target for any collector that wants to keep his/her portfolio relevant. The Pan America is the company's first venture into the adventure tourer space which was earlier dominated by the likes of Triumph Tiger and the BMW GS lineup. Personally speaking, the 1250 cc, 145 BHP motorcycle is one of the most capable and attractive offerings to come from the Harley stables.

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