Billy Joel is putting more than 70 motorcycles from his personal collection up for auction, giving collectors a chance to own bikes tied to the Grammy-winning musician’s long history as a motorcycle enthusiast.
The collection will be offered Nov. 20 and 21 at the Javits Center in New York City as part of Gooding Christie’s inaugural Rétromobile New York Auctions. All of the motorcycles will be offered without reserve, with proceeds intended to support The Joel Foundation.
“I’ve always been drawn to bikes built by people who cared about getting every detail right,” Joel said. “I’ve loved building this collection. Now it’s someone else’s turn to hit the road.”
Billy Joel poses with motorcycles from his personal collection. (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company, LLC)
Joel opened 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay in 2010 to share his passion for motorcycles with the public. The shop, which displayed more than 75 motorcycles from his collection, announced in 2025 that it would close after 15 years in business.
Joel’s collection spans multiple eras and styles, with motorcycles from marques including Ducati, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Triumph, Honda and Kawasaki.
Among the highlights is a 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. Madison Square Garden gave Joel the custom-painted motorcycle after his 150th sold-out show at the venue. It comes with a matching helmet listing each show and year he performed there.
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Also included is a 1982 Ducati Mike Hailwood 900, estimated at $15,000 to $25,000. The model was produced to commemorate the motorcycle ridden by racer Mike Hailwood during his 1978 Isle of Man comeback victory. A restored 1975 Ducati 750 Sport, estimated at $25,000 to $35,000, is another featured lot.
Billy Joel poses with his motorcycles during a photo shoot for “Songs in the Attic” at Gate Lodge on Sept. 14, 1981. (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company, LLC)
David Gooding, president of Gooding Christie’s, said, “We are truly honored to present the Billy Joel Motorcycle Collection, and with what better location than New York City itself, a place so strongly associated with Mr. Joel and his celebrated legacy as one of the most beloved musicians of all time.”
The motorcycles will also be displayed at Gooding Christie’s Rockefeller Center showroom from Oct. 8 through 12, giving New Yorkers an opportunity to see selections from the collection before the auction.
The public preview at the Javits Center is scheduled for Nov. 18 through 21. The Rétromobile New York Auctions are part of the inaugural Rétromobile New York event, a New York expansion of the French classic-car exhibition.