In truth, not much is known about the Neiman Marcus motorcycle other than the fact that it sold for $11 million at auction.
It is one of those bikes that's shrouded in mystery and as a result of the exorbitant price paid at auction, and has now become impossible to test, or even see out in the wild. In a world where an item's value gets determined by how much somebody is willing to pay for it, this is the most valuable of motorcycles.
It is therefore understandable that anyone who came into one of these limited production motorcycles stopped riding it and started storing it. It made a swift transition from mere motorcycle, to investment, well, except for the poor soul who paid $11 million for it.
8 Department Store Motorcycle
In case, like us, you were unaware of who Neiman Marcus actually is, they are a luxury goods focussed retailer. Interestingly, this is not the first motorcycle they have attached their name to, nor the last vehicle.
Although they mostly sell clothing at exorbitant prices, they also add their touches to cars and at least one other motorcycle. In the '90s, they sold a limited edition Ducati 748 which they effectively breathed on and sold for more money.
7 Confederate Fighter By Another Name
As a department store (which actually recently staved off bankruptcy), they have no interest in building motorcycles themselves. So, much like the previously mentioned Ducati, they simply breathed on somebody else’s creation.
Their bike of choice was the controversially named Confederate Fighter. All quoted specs refer to the P120 model, a bike which is only (well, in relative terms) worth around $55,000. In some pictures, it does appear to have the 131 cubic inch engine though, which was altogether rarer.
6 Aluminum Construction
The frame and bodywork are all made from machined aluminum, it offers a high quality finish and a high strength construction without sacrificing extra weight.
Everything on the bike is visible and will put some naked bikes to shame. Even with the massive 120 cubic inch engine bolted to it, the bike only tips the scales at 460 pounds. So that 160 horsepower engine will turn this into a veritable rocket ship capable of reaching 190 mph.
5 Steampunk Refresh
Not a lot changed from the Confederate machine. All those specs are courtesy of that bike, but the addition of a few stylistic tweaks was enough to transform the motorcycle into something else entirely.
It got those carbon fiber shrouds around the front suspension and a revised exhaust that evokes clear steampunk elements which align with the sci-fi nature of the machine. This, and some shrewd marketing was enough to transform a bespoke motorcycle into what is essentially high art.
4 Functional Art
Although with something as valuable as this, it is highly unlikely that it ever will get ridden again, it is by no means a mere mantle piece, but something that can truly be appreciated out on the open road.
That seat might not look all that inviting, but most chopper seats have similar issues. This is at least twice as powerful, and we suspect, twice as fun to ride than the average chopper.
3 Power Cruiser
This is by no means your average motorcycle, this makes a face melting 145 pound feet of torque, or 150 if it has the 131 cubic inch V-twin.
It is a pure power cruiser with forward controls. For those after any degree of riding comfort this will not be something at the top of your list, this is going to hurt, but we suspect the pleasure will be worth the pain.
2 Limited Production
According to official reports, 45 of these bikes got made. We suspect though, that with the sheer power these bikes make and that awkward riding position, not all 45 are still around.
It is a very rare motorcycle, but then again, even the bike it was based on was rare. Confederate only made 50 P120 Fighter motorcycles, so even getting one of those will only get harder and more expensive as time marches on.
1 $110,000 Motorcycle
Technically this is what it sold for in the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog. It was and always will be an expensive motorcycle, but in reality it is not worth $11 million.
The value has been disproportionately affected by that sale and pretty much secures the investment for those who picked up one of the 45 bikes initially sold, as long as they are still in reasonable condition. For the collector who paid $11 million, well, they will likely hold that inauspicious record for some time yet.
Source: Neiman Marcus, Motorcycle For Sale