Billy Joel Is Letting Go of His Motorcycle Collection

After closing his motorcycle shop last year, motorcycle enthusiast Billy Joel is finally letting go of his collection of over 70 bikes in an auction in November.

Billy Joel is saying farewell to his motorcycle collection.

According to a press release, the musician's 70+ bike collection will be the inaugural offering of Retromobile New York, an auction event hosted by Gooding Christie’s at the Javits Center on November 20 and 21. The entire collection will be offered without reserve, and select pieces will be displayed at Christie's Rockefeller Center ahead of the sale from October 8 to 12.

In a statement, Joel, who closed his motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay, New York, in September 2025, said, "I've always been drawn to bikes built by people who cared about getting every detail right. I've loved building this collection," adding, "Now it's someone else's turn to hit the road."

The collection, built over several decades, includes brands like Ducati, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Triumph, Honda, and Kawasaki.

Among the notable bikes is a custom-painted 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville, which Madison Square Garden gifted the singer after his 150th sold-out show at the venue. The bike came with a matching helmet, featuring a list of every year and show Joel played at the famous arena.

Another bike that stands out in the collection is a 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica, honoring rider Mike Hailwood's legendary 1978 Isle of Man comeback victory, as well as a 1975 Ducati 750 Sport.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit The Joel Foundation, which supports music education in schools and communities.

Gooding Christie's president, David Gooding, described the collection as a fitting tribute to Joel's legacy. "Billy Joel is one of the most recognized motorcycle enthusiasts in the world, and we are thrilled to be presenting his prized collection at Rétromobile NY in November," he said.

Billy Joel poses on a motorcycle in his store, 20th Century Cycles, on May 16, 2018 in Oyster Bay, New York | Source: Getty Images

Joel’s passion for motorcycles is well-known. In a 2011 interview, he spoke at length about his specific taste in bikes, distinguishing between cafe racers and bobbers, two different strains of vintage custom motorcycle culture. "Cafe racers are more like a racing bike, your seating position's more like a racing bike," he explained. "Bobbers [are] more of a street bike that's been souped up."

Joel also opened up about what he didn’t like. "I hate choppers," he said at the time. "I can't stand the chopper culture. It's dead. It's deader than a doornail."

He credits his preferences to European cafe racer culture, where riders would fix up inexpensive stock bikes to resemble racing motorcycles from events like the Isle of Man or Grand Prix.

Billy Joel in his motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay, New York on November 6, 2010 | Source: Getty Images

According to Joel’s representative, the decision to auction his extensive collection has much to do with the singer’s health.

Back in May 2025, Joel was forced to cancel his shows, revealing he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition involving excess fluid buildup in the brain, which affects his hearing, vision, and balance. Since undergoing a shunt procedure to manage the condition, his symptoms have improved.