Batman's Honda 750-powered Batpod heads to auction

Batman might have access to some fairly exotic transport, but it turns out that one of his most recognisable machines has a rather familiar bit of motorcycle engineering at its heart. The Batpod, as ridden by Christian Bale's character in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy, is powered by a Honda 750 engine, although anyone expecting to find a conventional motorcycle beneath its rather unusual bodywork might be in for a surprise.

One of six examples built for The Dark Knight in 2008, the machine is now being offered for sale by auction house Propstore, with an estimate of between £450,000 and £900,000. The auction is due to take place on December 4, 2026, with bidding starting at a staggering £225,000.

While the Honda engine is an interesting detail, the more unusual story concerns how the Batpod was actually ridden. Designed by Christopher Nolan and production designer Nathan Crowley, the machine was brought to life by special-effects supervisor Chris Corbould. With Nolan shunning CGI tricks and green screens, this 'bike' had to actually work, meaning Corbould and his team had to turn the outlandish design into something that could be driven on camera.

That proved easier said than done. The Batpod uses a custom-built chassis, enormous 31-inch Hoosier racing tyres and an unusual riding position that sees the rider lying prone over the machine, steering with their arms and shoulders rather than using conventional handlebars. The braking system is equally unconventional, with controls operated through the left-hand grip and right foot pedal.

Speaking about the project, Corbould explained that the team didn't really consider the Batpod to be a motorcycle because it behaved so differently from one. He also described it as particularly difficult to ride, with several people initially struggling to stay aboard.

The eventual solution was French stunt rider Jean-Pierre Goy, who had to effectively forget everything he knew about riding conventional motorcycles to get to grips with the machine. 

Corbould explained that Goy concentrated on learning its unique handling characteristics and refused to ride another motorcycle until filming was complete.

That might sound like a fairly extreme approach to a stunt job, but the results were hard to argue with. The Batpod became one of the standout vehicles in The Dark Knight, particularly during the famous chase sequence involving Heath Ledger's Joker.

The example now being offered for sale is also something of a piece of film history in its own right. Propstore says it can be screen-matched to the Joker chase in The Dark Knight thanks to several distinctive marks and scratches on its right-hand side. 

It was also used during The Dark Knight Rises and subsequently appeared at promotional events for both films.

As for the actual motorcycle hardware, the Honda 750 engine sits within the custom chassis, with fibreglass body panels concealing much of the mechanical package. 

The machine also features an integrated exhaust system, a radiator and hydraulic components positioned behind the saddle, while the front-mounted cannons and laser-targeting equipment are, thankfully, just props.

There is one fairly significant catch for anyone hoping to take their new Batpod out for a spin. The machine is being sold in non-functional, rolling-only condition, with its fluids drained and its battery, fuel tank and throttle controls removed. It is now very much a display piece rather than something that could be ridden away from the auction.

Still, for a machine that helped define one of the most memorable motorcycle moments in modern cinema, a Honda-powered rolling display piece isn't a bad legacy. Just don't expect to pop down to the shops on it.

You can check out the full listing for yourself on the official website.

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