By Will Burgess

Luxury artbook brand, TASCHEN, has released a double volume, visual guide to some of the most important and iconic motorcycles in history, available in two collector’s editions.

Ultimate Collector Motorcycles by Charlotte & Peter Fiell features 940 pages of high-resolution photos and detailed chronicles of some of the most storied bikes, many of which can only be found in private collections and are very rarely seen in public.

Whereas others are the all-out stars of renowned motorcycle museums—such as the 1938 Brough Superior “Golden Dream” or the 1957 MV Agusta 500 4C, which took John Surtees to World Championship glory. Alongside some early survivors in astonishingly original condition is a stable of fabled racers—the actual machines that were competed with by the likes of Dario Ambrosini, Tarquinio Provini, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Barry Sheene, and Kenny Roberts.

From the 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller to the 2020 Aston Martin AMB 001, this book lavishly explores one hundred of the most desirable motorcycles to have ever sped thrillingly around a circuit or along an open road, not only through text, but paired with rare, vintage posters, action shots, and more archival gems.

From pioneering record-breakers, luxury tourers, and legendary roadracers to GP-winning machines, iconic superbikes, and exotic customs, Ultimate Collector Motorcycles celebrates motorcycle design and engineering at the highest level.

The omnibus includes a hardcover slipcase for the two volumes, and also comes in a select collectors edition limited to 1,000 numbered copies, featuring variant covers.
Jay Leno pens the foreword to this stunning coffee table book and conversation piece, which also includes interviews with some of the most recognized influencers in the motorcycle scene living today.

Featuring the likes of George Barber, founder of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum; Sammy Miller, championship-winning racer and founder of the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum; Ben Walker, Department Director of Motorcycles at Bonhams; Paul d’Orléans, founder of The Vintagent; and Gordon McCall, cofounder of The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, the world-renowned motorcycle concours event held in Carmel, Calif.

First editions of this book can now be found on the TASCHEN website, and start at USD $250, making this book set a unique gift for the classic motorcycle collector or enthusiast in your life.

Will Burgess is a journalist with Adrenaline Powersports Mag