There are few things in life I appreciate more than a well-kept, classic bike, and it really isn't even about the object in question, but the love (read: work and money) it took to maintain it over the years. When a vehicle reaches collectible status, it can find itself at prestigious, world-wide events such as the RM Sotheby's auction->ke2262 in Monaco this past Saturday. As usual, the globe-trotting auction house put on a top-notch show, with dozens of entries of various vintages->ke2468 in attendance. Join me while I take a look specifically at the motorcycles that changed hands this weekend.

Continue reading for my look at the bikes from RM Sotheby's auction.

1974 Agrati-Garelli Katia MS (Lot #111)

SOLD – 702 Euros ($906.98)

For me, the most novel of the two wheelers has to be the 1974 Agrati-Garelli Katia Motor Scooter. While electric->ke3364 vehicles are relatively common nowadays, back in '74 that wasn't the case, and that lends it a “green” value we don't see on many vintage vehicles. Essentially an electric moped complete with sweat-powered pedals for auxiliary propulsion, the A-G Katia uses a 24-volt DC system with a 1.4-horsepower electric motor as the main driving force. No doubt it doesn't enjoy the range or short recharge times as do modern electric bikes, but someone at A-G was thinking way ahead of the curve, way back in the day.

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SOLD – 1,872 Euros ($2,118.73)

Next up is a ride that takes me right back to my childhood, the little Suzuki->ke371 T500. This bike is the epitome of the UJM class of the times, and rides like this used to be all over the roads or running kicked-up exhausts and knobbies off-road al la scrambler style. A two-cycle, parallel-twin mill drives the Titan, and at 492 cc it represents the largest such configuration to appear on a bike. In original condition, the engine put out 47 horsepower and 39.78 pound-feet, and this little ride was listed as “very well preserved original condition” so I expect it still produces something close to that – not that it matters, it's on its way to a collectors vault I'm sure.

1977 MV Agusta 750 S America (Lot #207)

SOLD – 105,300 Euros ($118,725.75)

To round out the motorcycle sales, an original and beautifully maintained MV Agusta->ke947 750 S “America” changed hands with only 3,800 original kilometers (2,361.2 miles) on the odometer. Actual displacement is 789.3 cc, and the four-cylinder, four-stroke Quattro Cylindri claims 75 ponies (new) to drive this unmistakable Italian steed. The RM test rider gave it a glowing review, though much like the Titan, I expect this bike to be headed to a climate-controlled, dust-free garage or vault somewhere. That's certainly where I'd put it.