Billy Joel's motorcycle collection set for Gooding Christie's New York auction

Gooding Christie's will offer more than 70 motorcycles from Billy Joel's personal collection at its inaugural auction during Retromobile New York next month. The sale, scheduled for November 20 and 21, will take place at the Javits Center in New York and features all lots without reserve.

David Gooding, founder of Gooding Christie's, told Fox News Digital that Joel, 77, is a genuine enthusiast who loves all sorts of motorcycles. The collection includes older bikes, side cars, and a mixture of brands including Ducati, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Triumph, Honda, and Kawasaki. Gooding noted that a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Joel Foundation, which supports non-profit music education and public women's health initiatives.

One of the highlighted items is a 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville that Madison Square Garden gifted to Joel to commemorate his 150 sold-out shows. The bike, which features a keyboard painted on the tank, is estimated to fetch between $10,000 and $15,000. It is accompanied by a matching helmet that lists every show and year Joel played at Madison Square Garden. Gooding stated that Joel still holds the record for the most sold-out shows at the venue.

The auction also includes a 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica, estimated at $15,000 to $25,000. This model was marketed by Ducati to commemorate the motorcycle Mike Hailwood rode to his comeback victory at the 1978 Isle of Man. Additionally, a restored 1975 Ducati 750 Sport is listed without reserve with an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000. Gooding Christie's described this bike as one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever conceived.

Gooding said the collection appeals to both Joel's fan base and motorcycle enthusiasts who value the bikes themselves. In a statement shared through the auction house, Joel said he has always been drawn to bikes built by people who cared about getting every detail right. He added that he has loved building the collection and it is now someone else's turn to hit the road.

Joel underwent brain surgery after revealing his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) in May 2025. NPH affects vision, hearing, and balance when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull. According to a statement released on social media at the time, doctors told Joel that his rock 'n' roll lifestyle caused damage to his brain nerves. He canceled several shows due to the condition being exacerbated by recent concert performances. The Cleveland Clinic notes that treating NPH involves surgery to implant a shunt to drain excess fluid from the inside of the skull.