Billy Joel's Motorcycle Collection Heads to Auction
Over 70 rare and cherished motorcycles from the legendary musician's personal collection will be sold without reserve at Gooding Christie's Retromobile New York auction.
The extensive motorcycle collection of Grammy Award-winning musician Billy Joel is set to be auctioned off at Gooding Christie's Retromobile New York event next month. More than 70 lots, representing Joel's lifelong passion for two-wheeled vehicles, will be offered without reserve, meaning they will be sold to the highest bidder regardless of price.
David Gooding, founder of Gooding Christie's, described Joel as "a genuine enthusiast who loves all sorts of motorcycles," noting the collection includes a diverse range of bikes, from vintage models to those with sidecars. "The exciting thing is all the motorcycles are being sold without reserve," Gooding stated. "And, a portion of the proceeds are going to benefit the Joel Foundation, which is a wonderful charity that supports non-profit music education, public women's health... there's some great initiatives that it supports."
The collection features many of Joel's personal favorites, with makes including Ducati, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Triumph, Honda, and Kawasaki. Among the notable items is a 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville, gifted to Joel by Madison Square Garden to commemorate his record-breaking 150 sold-out shows at the venue. This unique motorcycle, expected to fetch between $10,000 and $15,000, is painted with a keyboard motif on the tank and comes with a matching helmet listing every show he played at the Garden.
Other highlighted pieces include a 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica, valued between $15,000 and $25,000, and a restored 1975 Ducati 750 Sport, estimated at $25,000 to $35,000. Gooding described the latter as "one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever conceived."
The auction is scheduled for November 20-21, with the motorcycles on display at the Javits Center in New York City.
Joel, 77, expressed his attachment to the collection, stating, "I’ve always been drawn to bikes built by people who cared about getting every detail right. I’ve loved building this collection. Now it’s someone else’s turn to hit the road."
In May 2025, Joel disclosed his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition affecting his vision, hearing, and balance. He had previously stated that loud concerts throughout his career may have contributed to nerve damage. The condition led him to cancel several shows, with doctors attributing the issues to his rock 'n' roll lifestyle impacting his brain nerves.
NPH occurs when cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the skull, creating pressure on the brain. It typically affects individuals over 65. Treatment often involves surgery to implant a shunt to drain the excess fluid, according to the Cleveland Clinic.