The BMW R 18 Transcontinental customized and autographed by the pontiff was sold in Munich. The proceeds will go to charity
A motorcycle customized and signed by Pope Leo XIV was sold at auction for 156 thousand euros plus commissions and taxes. The pontiff signed the BMW R 18 Transcontinental last September 3 in the Vatican. Photos on the website of auction house RM Sotheby’s show him smiling while sitting on the motorcycle. The Jesus Bikers group rode the white motorcycle, said to be inspired by the Popemobile, on a three-day journey from the German town of Schaafheim, outside Frankfurt, to St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
Rises
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The BMW R 18 Transcontinental opened the auction which took place in Munich at 30 thousand pounds, but the price quickly skyrocketed to reach the selling price of 156 thousand euros. According to the auction house’s website, the proceeds go to the Pontifical Mission Societies in Austria for the children of Madagascar. The buyer will have to pay an amount higher than the hammer price. According to RM Sotheby’s, an additional 20% commission and an additional 19% value added tax (VAT) will also be payable on this amount.
special white
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The basis of the bike is, as mentioned, a powerful BMW R 18 Transcontinental which was customized by the German company Witzel Custom Build. Among the peculiarities, in addition to the pontiff’s signature, there is a special color called “Mystic White Brilliant”. The cruiser is powered by an air- and oil-cooled four-stroke twin-cylinder boxer engine with two camshafts positioned above the crankshaft driven by a chain. The 1,802 cc displacement allows the bike to deliver a power of 91 HP at 4,750 rpm, a maximum torque of 163 Nm at 3,000 rpm and a top speed of 180 km/h.
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