The word “auction” doesn’t usually conjure up the most exciting experience. But attending the 2024 Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas was an unexpected surprise.
More from the venue
Held at the South Point Hotel & Casino, a couple of things are evident the moment you walk into the vast event space. First, there were far more bikes on display than expected; at least 2000! Within a few minutes, though, the sheer quantity takes a back seat to the quality and diversity on display. Extensive categories and conditions makes it mandatory to work your camera hard, first, and stay much longer than you had planned. For a gearhead, this alone was unforgettable.
Sitting for the auctions, though an essentially efficient process, took some of the Candy Land feel out of the event, but it did put the real purpose back into focus. In the staging area, bikes lined up, ready for their fifteen minutes of fame. Mostly grouped by year and make, it was an unusual opportunity to compare bikes in close quarters. Once on stage, though, the bright lights, singular focus, and scripted introduction provided all the reasons why you need to place a bid.
But there was another important aspect to this show: community. The auction circuit is regularly attended by many of the same people in the region. Most of the conversations were clearly continuations from previous shows, and familiar names and places dominated the exchanges. Countless were the stories of busted knuckles, emptied bank accounts, and opportunities missed and taken, and really should have been captured. Decades of front-line, hands-on histories flowed throughout the venue. It felt like an honor to be there.
The best way to more fully explain what attending the auction felt like is to showcase what was on view and offer. Settle in and take a few minutes to scan the photo galleries. You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll surely not want to miss that next auction.
