Elvis Presley’s 1976 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Is One of the Most Expensive Motorcycles in the World
Obviously, there is no need to explain why anything connected to Elvis Presley would be highly coveted. However, a Harley-Davidson that The King rode is clearly one of the coolest objects in the Universe. This 1976 Harley-Davidson FLH 1200 Electra Glide sold for nearly $1 million in 2019, making it one of the most expensive motorcycles in the world.
Elvis Presley had questionable taste, but not with motorcycles
Elvis Presley wasn’t known to be very subtle. In fact, his gaudy taste has become as much of a part of his legacy as anything he ever did with his music career. However, his car and motorcycle taste might have been a touch kingly from time to time, but overall there were some killer choices in the King’s garage.
Elvis Presley’s Harley-Davidson Electra Glide was the last motorcycle the King ever bought. After over thirty years since his Harley rolled out of the factory, it only accrued 126 miles. That alone would make this a mighty collectible bike, not to mention that it was owned and customized by Elvis Presley.
How much did Elvis Presley’s Harley-Davidson FLH sell for?
According to New Atlas, Elvis Presley’s Harley-Davidson Electra Glide was set to be the most expensive motorcycle in the world, with an estimated value of $1,750,000 and $2,000,000. However, it didn’t end up selling for even half of the high-end estimate.
When the King’s Harley went to auction in 2019, the hammer fell with the highest bid of $960,000. Before this bike, a Vincent Black Shadow sold for $929,000. [Technically, an Easy Rider Captain America bike sold in 2014 for over a million dollars, but the history of the bike cast doubt on the bike and may have been sold for less after the fact.]
Other legendary, record-breaking motorcycles
New Atlas mentions that the reason King’s FLH was expected to blast the record for the most expensive motorcycle in the world was because some other famous motorcycles had recently sold for big bucks.
In 2015, Mecum auctioned a 1959 Harley Davidson Panhead Duo-Glide for $385,000 previously owned by Jerry Lewis. While the Great Ball of Fire is one of the most famous rock and roll singers of all time, he still pales compared to Elvis Presley.
Another iconic bike sold for major money was the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy that Arnold Schwarzenegger famously rode in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The Fat Boy sold for an eye-watering $512,000.
The list of famous motorcycles goes on and on with examples like Buddy Holly’s 1958 Ariel Cyclone ($450,000), Marlon Brando’s 1970 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra-Glide ($256,000), and Fonzie’s Triumph Trophy 500 from Happy Days ($179,000).
What is the most expensive motorcycle in the world?
This record will continue to move for a long time. The Captain America bike has muddied the waters for now and will continue to do so until the other Captain America sells at auction later this month. Until then, the King can rest easy knowing that the world is still willing to pay more for his 1976 Harley-Davidson FLH 1200 Electra Glide than any other celebrity-owned motorcycle.
