Batman’s Batpod heads to auction again with NZ$2.2m estimate
Words: Kyle Cassidy
Batman’s Batpod is heading back to auction, and it could take more than NZ$2 million to add the Dark Knight’s motorcycle to your collection.
The screen-used machine from The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012) will be offered by Propstore in London on 4 December. Its estimate is £450,000–£900,000, approximately NZ$1.1–$2.2 million before auction fees and other costs.
This is an original film vehicle, with Propstore identifying it in the Joker chase from The Dark Knight through distinctive scratches and marks along its right-hand side. In that sequence, Christian Bale’s Batman deploys the Batpod from his damaged Tumbler to continue the pursuit.
The Batpod was conceived by director Christopher Nolan and production designer Nathan Crowley, with special-effects supervisor Chris Corbould building six examples for The Dark Knight. Stunt rider Jean-Pierre Goy handled riding duties during filming.
Beneath the bodywork is a Honda 750 engine and a bespoke chassis, riding on enormous Hoosier racing tyres measuring roughly 787mm in diameter. Metallic grey fibreglass panels conceal the mechanical components, while the front-mounted cannon barrels are made from plastic, resin and fibreglass.
The riding position is almost horizontal, with padding around the saddle and knee supports. It’s quite a departure from the usual upright commuter.
There is, however, a sizeable catch for anyone imagining a ride around Gotham. The Batpod is being sold in non-running, rolling-only condition. Its fluids have been drained and its battery, fuel tank and throttle controls removed.
This also isn’t the Batpod’s first appearance in an auction catalogue. Warner Bros. originally sold it through Propstore in 2016, and it returned to auction in 2023.
The motorcycle is one of the headline lots in Propstore’s Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, running from 4–6 December. Other offerings include Christian Bale’s complete Batsuit from Batman Begins, Indiana Jones props and Jon Snow’s Longclaw sword from Game of Thrones.
