The 5 Top Motorcycle Movies in Hollywood History

There’s no denying it, the biker culture and motorcycling in general has been culturally impacted by the movie industry significantly.  Nothing portrays the bad boy image or a dangerous “living on the edge” hero type like an American or British made two wheeled machine on the big screen.  While the recent top motorcycle show Sons of Anarchy is technically a motorcycle show, if one were to simply watch it for any period of time they’d be left with the impression that Harley Davidson only makes bikes in flat black with T-bars and a fairing but this may be one of the few times where Hollywood is more conservative than reality.  So let’s look at 5 more “colorful” biker movies that either captured or changed or otherwise impacted the world of motorcycling as we know it.  The following appear in no particular order. 

The Wild One

Marlin Brando astride a Triumph motorcycle in the iconic “bad boy” pose.  This is the movie that fired off an entire genre of films and equated the motorcycle s with outlaws once and forever more.

Brando's personal 1952 Triumph Thunderbird was featured in the film.

Easy Rider

Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and even Jack Nicholson bring the custom chopper to the big screen and the Captain America motorcycle goes down in the history books as being one of the most easily identified motorcycles of all time.  Peace, love and torque ya’ll.

The "Captain America" bike was a custom, rigid framed Panhead custom made by Cliff Vaughs and Ben Hardy.  There were 4 originals made and one was destroyed at the end of the film.

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man

This was a tough one because honestly, though the movie was amusing it certainly wasn’t what I would call “iconic” on the level that the Wild One and Easy Rider were, but what it did do was put the Harley Davidson FXR on the map inspiring those of us who ride FXR and Dynas from that point on.  “Black Death” the bike in the movie cut a lean, low, unmistakable profile that even a pre-plastic surgery Mickey Rourke couldn’t ruin.  And who could forget the shooting of the “rice burner” outside of a seedy bar on the part of Don Johnson…and lest we forget the manly combination cowboy hats, snakeskin boots, single action big bore revolvers and of course a Bon Jovi infused soundtrack all in one place making the imagery at least somewhat important.    

Mickey rode a strutted FXR with obvious customization to include a dramatic rake with a 70.5 inch wheelbase. 

Terminator 2

This was another tough one, but the popularity of the movie in its day brought the Harley Davidson Fatboy to the forefront of a “man’s” bike.  Besides, how many people today would be able to get away with wearing leather pants while keeping a straight face if Arnold didn’t introduce the concept to the big screen first?  Don’t laugh, the next guy you see doing it may in fact be a homicidal robot with a soft spot for kids named John Conner. 

The Governator sat astride a 1990 Harley Davidson Fatboy complete with lever action shotgun.

Beyond the Law

The custom Softail featured in this movie brought the idea of actually building your ride (versus stealing it or buying it) onto the big screen.  Charlie Sheen remained sober enough to actually pull off a burnt out, overstressed cop somewhat convincingly and Leon Rippy (who?) did a stellar performance of a biker with a screw loose (much like the people I know in real life).  Add to this tat they brought the outlaw, 3 piece patch holding motorcycle club made it back to the big screen and even had a dude named Oatmeal in it…what more could you ask? 

A Harley Davidson Softail that saw some customization, I wonder where Charlie kept his stash on that thing?

Honorable mentions go to:

Wild Hogs

Though this movie was of course over the top fiction borderline satire it is probably the only movie to ever make it on the big screen that captures the essence of the “Rich Urban Biker” or RUB.  As such this movie goes from silly to relevant its uniqueness on this topic alone.

CHiPs

Okay so it was a television show and not a movie, the popularity of the show during its day combined with close camera work of the bikes in action put the California Highway Patrol in the daydreams of kids all across America.  Back then the only thing cooler than a badge and a gun would be doing it on a motorcycle. 

Hell Ride

You would think that the combination of Quentin Tarrentino and a variety of bobbers and choppers combined with a cast consisting of the legendary Dennis Hopper, Tom Sizemore and David Carradine would have been a slam dunk win.  But the crappy acting, worse writing and over the top violence with seemingly no point doomed the movie into the discount bins of the big box stores where they sit, lurking patiently for some poor sucker to waste $5.00 buying the DVD, but cool bikes nonetheless. 

Happy Days

The Fonz is definitely the 1960s and 1970s television tough guy.  There’s no denying his image will forever be emblazoned upon American pop culture even if by no other means than if as a punch line ala “jumping the shark” which is the catchphrase for “taking a good thing too far”.  Henry Winkler will always look more natural in a leather jacket with a thumbs up than he ever will wearing khakis and a light jacket.  And yeah I know…it’s a television show and not a movie.  The honorable mention is because the Fonz did not limit himself to just one bike but a seeming collection of bike s all cool because…well… “hey”… (my best Fonzie voice with thumbs up). 

The Great Escape

You have a Triumph Motorcycle with Steve McQueen riding it.  ‘nuff said…seriously.

Captain America

Although a new movie there’s something that just strikes a resounding chord in me when I see a vintage Harley Davidson in olive drab green…especially ones that can hold a Tommy Gun.

The Wild Angels

Another Peter Fonda film but this time with a trash plot, garbage acting, bland camera work and just an old feel to it.  It’s neither good nor timeless but Peter Fonda sure did ride one super nice bike in it.