This 1908 Harley-Davidson sold for nearly $1 million. Photo: Alexander Walter / Flickr
This 1908 Harley-Davidson sold for nearly $1 million. Photo: Alexander Walter / Flickr
This 1908 Harley-Davidson sold for nearly $1 million. Photo: Alexander Walter / Flickr
This 1908 Harley-Davidson sold for nearly $1 million. Photo: Alexander Walter / Flickr

Lifestyle

Motoring

Harley-Davidson from 1908 sells at nearly $1m, becoming priciest motorcycle at auction

The bike is believed to be one of only 12 such models in the world

Associated Press

February 12, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

A rare Harley-Davidson motorcycle built in 1908 has become the most expensive one ever sold at auction, according to data compiled by a website that tracks vintage bike sales.

The Harley-Davidson Strap Tank was recorded on vintagent.com as being sold for $935,000 after auction fees last month at the Mecum Auction in Las Vegas, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The bike was named Strap Tank because its oil and fuel tanks are attached to the frame with nickel straps.

It is believed to be one of only 12 such models in the world.

A 1907 Strap Tank sold for $715,000 after fees but didn’t go for as much as the record-setting 1908 Strap Tank because it was never restored.

The record-breaking bike had many of its original parts, making it even more rare, said Greg Arnold, motorcycle division manager at Mecum Auctions.

“We marketed the bike well and Harley is by far the most famous American motorcycle brand so we had a feeling it would do well in auction, but obviously you are surprised anytime you sell the most expensive bike ever,” he said.

The UAE's growing community of MiniGP motorbike riders — in pictures

A biker after a session at a Mini GP event at Sahara Amusement in Sharjah. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
A biker after a session at a Mini GP event at Sahara Amusement in Sharjah. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Mini bikes are smaller, don't go as fast, but are more affordable than professional racing bikes. The experience, however, is as real as it gets, say fans and promoters.
Mini bikes are smaller, don't go as fast, but are more affordable than professional racing bikes. The experience, however, is as real as it gets, say fans and promoters.
Mini bikes, also called pit bikes, are already hugely popular in Europe and the US. The UAE's growing mini bike community is trying to raise the sport's profile.
Mini bikes, also called pit bikes, are already hugely popular in Europe and the US. The UAE's growing mini bike community is trying to raise the sport's profile.
Many professional motorcycle riders use the mini bikes to train for championships.
Many professional motorcycle riders use the mini bikes to train for championships.
MiniGp.ae, a community for mini-bike enthusiasts, organises regular meet-ups around the UAE.
MiniGp.ae, a community for mini-bike enthusiasts, organises regular meet-ups around the UAE.
Mini bikes can cost anywhere between Dh18,000 and Dh38,000, depending on specifications.
Mini bikes can cost anywhere between Dh18,000 and Dh38,000, depending on specifications.
Those wishing to try out th sport can rent a bike before investing in one. At Sahara Amusement in Sharjah, riders can rent bikes for Dh250, which includes safety gear and equipment, for a 15-minute track session.
Those wishing to try out th sport can rent a bike before investing in one. At Sahara Amusement in Sharjah, riders can rent bikes for Dh250, which includes safety gear and equipment, for a 15-minute track session.
A young rider puts on his safety gear before a ride.
A young rider puts on his safety gear before a ride.
Mini bikes are suitable for children as young as six.
Mini bikes are suitable for children as young as six.
A biker prepares for his ride.
A biker prepares for his ride.
The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, the global governing body for motorcycle racing, has launched a MiniGP global competition.
The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, the global governing body for motorcycle racing, has launched a MiniGP global competition.
The MiniGP World Series is open to riders between 10 and 14 years old.
The MiniGP World Series is open to riders between 10 and 14 years old.
The winner of the MiniGP World Series will secure a spot in one of FIM's Road to MotoGP racing programmes.
The winner of the MiniGP World Series will secure a spot in one of FIM's Road to MotoGP racing programmes.
A rider on the track in Sharjah.
A rider on the track in Sharjah.
A rider prepares for a track session.
A rider prepares for a track session.
Mini bikes have exactly the same geometry and controls as the full-size professional machines.
Mini bikes have exactly the same geometry and controls as the full-size professional machines.
The track at Sahara Amusement in Sharjah.
The track at Sahara Amusement in Sharjah.
What all bike racers want to be first to see, the checkered flag.
What all bike racers want to be first to see, the checkered flag.
In 2021, members of MiniGP.ae organised the first MiniGP championship in the UAE, which included racers from Qatar.
In 2021, members of MiniGP.ae organised the first MiniGP championship in the UAE, which included racers from Qatar.
Anas Al Mutawa, the founder of MiniGP.ae, says he's looking for partners to help organise racing events in the UAE.
Anas Al Mutawa, the founder of MiniGP.ae, says he's looking for partners to help organise racing events in the UAE.
MiniGP fans watch a rider in action.
MiniGP fans watch a rider in action.
The Sharjah Kart Track at Sahara Amusement is one of the few facilities for mini bikers in the UAE.
The Sharjah Kart Track at Sahara Amusement is one of the few facilities for mini bikers in the UAE.
The world motorcycling body's recognition of MiniGP competitions is an opportunity that needs to be taken advantage of, mini-bike enthusiasts say.
The world motorcycling body's recognition of MiniGP competitions is an opportunity that needs to be taken advantage of, mini-bike enthusiasts say.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
Scores in brief:

Day 1

New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38

Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

EPL's youngest
  • Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
    15 years, 181 days old
  • Max Dowman (Arsenal)
    15 years, 235 days old
  • Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
    15 years, 271 days old
  • Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
    16 years, 30 days old
  • Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
    16 years, 68 days old
more from sholto byrnes
Killing of Qassem Suleimani

Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.

 

More from Firas Maksad
What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: CVT auto

Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km

On sale: now

Price: from Dh195,000 

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

On Women's Day
While you're here
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO

Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday 

Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 420 bhp

Torque: 624Nm

Price: from Dh293,200

On sale: now

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

More on Quran memorisation:
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

Updated: February 12, 2023, 5:43 AM`
Harley-Davidson