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Favorite Motorcycle Auctions of 2025

Favorite Motorcycle Auctions of 2025

Bring a Trailer Podcast Feb 19, 2026 53 min
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About this episode

A lively discussion on the favorite motorcycle auctions of 2025 unfolds as hosts Alex Porter and Tyler Greenblatt dive into the latest trends and highlights in the motorcycle auction scene. They share insights on the impressive growth of motorcycle auctions, reaching over 11,000 listings, and reflect on the artistry and engineering behind motorcycles, especially pre-war models. The episode features a personal touch with favorite bikes and exhaust systems, while also touching on the evolution of Harley-Davidson's engineering, including their transition to liquid cooling. It's a blend of passion, expertise, and the aesthetic appreciation of motorcycles.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

cam cover

"the early 80s, even, you know, there's details, the little end caps on a cam cover, that's got to be designed because it's visible. What the timer cover looks like on the bottom of the engine."

The cam cover is a part of the engine that helps keep oil inside and protects important moving parts. It's usually made to look nice since it's visible when you open the hood.

Term

carburetor

"every little lever knob, the parts of the carburetor, it's like everything is just so beautifully designed because it's visible."

The carburetor is a part that helps mix air and fuel so the engine can run. It's important for how well the car performs, especially in older models.

Company

Singer

"It's there's a, there's a second component of building a motorcycle that a lot of cars just don't like, you know, Singer obviously would probably be the one that comes to mind where"

Singer is a company that takes Porsche cars and makes them even better, focusing on how they look and how they perform. They create special versions that are very unique.

Concept

artistry in automotive design

"Ettore Bugatti believes strongly that every part needs to be beautiful. So when you look at the engine of a Bugatti or the suspension pieces, they're all art. I mean, his dad and brother sculptors and made furniture and stuff, right?"

Some car makers believe that cars should not only work well but also look beautiful. Ettore Bugatti, for example, thought that every part of a car should be designed like a piece of art.

Term

exhaust system

"actually you just reminded me about exhaust. I have a personal favorite motorcycle exhaust system, believe it or not."

The exhaust system is what takes the gases produced by the engine and sends them out of the vehicle. It helps make the car run better and quieter.

Car

Ford Model T

"...But by 1929, they were starting to think like people are using these things, especially the Great Depression would have been in effect..."

The Model T is a famous car made by Ford that was very affordable and helped many people own cars for the first time. It was produced for almost 20 years and changed how people traveled.

Term

liquid-cooled engine

"...now they're trying to figure out how to do that with liquid cooled engines now. And it's not easy..."

A liquid-cooled engine is a type of engine that uses liquid to keep it cool while it runs. This helps the engine work better and last longer.

Term

overhead cam

"...And they've gone overhead cam, right? And all that stuff..."

An overhead cam is a part of an engine that helps control how the engine works. It is located above the engine's cylinders and helps the engine run more efficiently.

Car

Porsche 996

"...Porsche actually designed the V-Rod engine, which came out in 2001. Early on. That's right. And Porsche had just done that three or four years before. I had never put that together. No, about the 996 coming out right before..."

The Porsche 996 is a version of the famous 911 sports car made between 1999 and 2004. It was the first 911 to use water cooling instead of air cooling for its engine, which was a big change for the brand.

Term

water cooled

"...to go from air cooled to water cooled. Right. So Porsche actually designed the V-Rod engine..."

Water-cooled engines use liquid to keep the engine cool, which helps it run better and last longer. Most modern cars, including newer Porsches, use this system instead of air cooling.

Term

miniature radiator

"Yeah, there is. Yeah, there's two miniature radiators. At least it was the last one. But you can hide them, right? They don't have to be visible."

A miniature radiator is a small part that helps cool down the engine. It works like a regular radiator but is much smaller, making it easier to fit in tight spaces.

Term

emissions requirements

"But it's just enough so that they can run them just to within like emissions requirements. Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Emissions requirements are rules that cars must follow to make sure they don't pollute the air too much. They help keep the environment clean by limiting harmful gases from vehicles.

Term

push to start

"Which I think if you buy a 992 Turbo, you still have the push to start on the left side. Is that true? I think so."

Push to start means you can start your car by pressing a button instead of using a key. It's a newer way to start cars that many modern vehicles have.

Car

Ford Bronco

"..... Where to open the windows on a Tahoe versus a Bronco versus a Porsche versus... It's like all these di..."

The Ford Bronco is a tough SUV that can handle rough roads and outdoor adventures. It's popular because it looks cool and is great for people who love to explore nature.

Car

Honda Civic

"...I got out of my Civic daily driver, which is pretty easy to drive into the Porsche. And the change from one clutch friction point to the other..."

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people use for everyday driving. It's known for being easy to drive and very dependable.

Brand

Vespa

"...we ran this Christian Dior limited edition Vespa 946. By the way, these are modern Vespa's. Oh, yeah. So 2021, 2022..."

Vespa is a popular brand of scooters from Italy. They are known for their unique look and are often used for city commuting.

Car

Aston Martin Vanquish

"It's going to be the Brodix 427 powered Vanquish. No. I don't even know what that means."

The Aston Martin Vanquish is a fancy sports car that looks great and goes really fast. It's made by a well-known brand that has a history in racing.

Term

427 V8

"So it's got a 427 V8 in it. What?"

The 427 V8 is a big engine that makes a lot of power. It's often found in fast cars and is popular among car enthusiasts.

Company

Brodix

"Sometimes you see V8s in like three-wheeled bikes. This is a real two-wheeler and Brodix, which I'm not super familiar. Maybe you've heard of them, but it's apparently a really high-end GM style engine builder."

Brodix makes parts that help engines perform better, especially in racing. They are famous for making high-quality components for cars, especially those made by General Motors.

Car

Honda S600

"...d, has a weird configuration. I like those Honda S600s with the weird swing arm independent rear suspen..."

The Honda S600 is a small, old sports car that was made a long time ago. It's special because it has some unique features that make it fun to drive, and people who like classic cars really appreciate it.

Car

Porsche Carrera GT

"We're talking about exhaust here. It's like Carrera GT a little bit, man. So sick."

The Porsche Carrera GT is a super-fast sports car that many people dream of owning. It's famous for its amazing speed and how fun it is to drive, making it a topic of excitement among car fans.

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