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Batman’s Batpod Auctioned for Over $400K

Earlier this month, we were reporting about a BFI IMAX and Prop Store auction that put together movies props and memorabilia worth over $2 million. Among them, Batman’s Batpod could be found, and the new owner spent just over $405,000 (€357,700) on the thing.
Batpod for sale 1 photo
Photo: PropStore
The bid stopped at $405,000 (€362,200), which probably makes the Batpod the most expensive motorcycle money can buy. Part of this success comes from the fact that it is the first time the famous Dark Knight bike was made available at an auction.

The Batpod was designed by Christopher Nolan and production designer Nathan Crowley, and it first appeared in The Dark Knight movie when Batman (Christian Bale) used it to escape the Tumbler after the Joker (Heath Ledger) fired a rocket and destroyed it.

Believe it or not, this Batpod isn’t just a prop, but an actual working machine built around a Honda 750 engine. A custom chassis was specially made for it along with fiberglass body panels finished in metallic gray. There’s a radiator and hydraulics fitted behind the saddle, and the braking system is operated by controls mounted on the left handle and right pedal.

As you probably saw in the movie, the rider seats on his/her belly with black foam padding being installed on the bike’s body, saddle and knee rests to support the motorcyclist’s weight.

The auction house was putting it out with a Warner Bros. certificate of authenticity but was sold as a non-functional “rolling only” vehicle as all fluids, battery, fuel tank and throttle controls were removed. Of course, with some parts and a bit of elbow grease, the thing can be turned back into fully operating mode.

Initial data was estimating the Batpod would sell at around $80,000-$100,000 (€71,500-€89,400), but, as you can see here, the price skyrocketed by a lot.
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