Neiman Marcus’ $11M Fighter: A rare jewel of the motorcycle world

Neiman Marcus, luxury retailer established in Texas, USA in the early 1900s, provides a range of products including clothing, jewellery, accessories and homeware. Sometime in 2008, they collaborated with the controversially named Confederate Motorcycles to create and sell the Neiman Marcus Limited-Edition Fighter motorcycle.

The Fighter is said to have been based on Confederate’s (which has undergone a couple of ownership changes) 2011 P120 Combat Fighter. Built with a carbon-fibre frame with aluminium and titanium mixed in, the Nieman Marcus motorcycle definitely gives the term “naked bike” new meaning, with no fairings to cover its inner parts.

There are subtle differences that make it stand apart from the P120 in terms of design, engineering and engine, such as a modified exhaust.

While there is limited information on specifications — other than information on the P120, like the 120ci 45-degree air-cooled V-twin engine — what we do know is that it has a custom braking system, which is absolutely needed considering the Fighter has a 160-horsepower engine and can get up to 300km per hour. It can do 0-100kph in about three seconds, and has a six-speed transmission, LED lights (headlight, daytime running lamps, and so on) and a fully digital console, which includes speedometer, tachometer, tripmeter, odometer and fuel gauge.

It is considered street legal but, to be honest, the tiny saddle makes me feel uncomfortable and causes twinges in my lower back just looking at it.

There were only 50 P120s built and only 45 of the Neiman Marcus Limited-Edition Fighter, meaning that it is not an easy motorcycle to find, with the whereabouts of at least 44 of the Fighters sold unknown. Add the initial release starting price in 2008 of $110,000, and it doesn’t feel like the kind of motorcycle that one would take out on the roads regularly. Perhaps for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride or something, with a vintage Victorian suit to boot.

It feels a bit more of a mantel piece that would fit into a motorcycle collection, for those who have the funds to collect for the sake of collecting. It looks like the kind of motorcycle you would see in Mad Max, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Hellboy or even Blade Runner.

Another factor that sets the Fighter apart is that it is considered the most expensive motorcycle sold and has been for at least six years, with one bought at an auction for $11m .

I would love to see the full collection of someone who is willing to spend that amount on one motorcycle, albeit a hard-to-find modern-day classic, especially if you are partial to American style cruisers. It would be the crowning jewel of a collection filled with Indians and Harleys, both standard and modified, with shiny chrome as far as the eye can see.