What’s better than movies with motorcycles? More movies with motorcycles. With hopped up Harleys, custom choppers and the world’s fastest Indian, this list is all about the long rides, self-built bikes and some epic CGI.
The World’s Fastest Indian
For every custom motorcycle builder out there, this is a must see movie! Based on the true story of Burt Munro, a Kiwi with an old 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle, this film follows a motorhead’s dream to hold the land speed world record. Known as the fastest man on two wheels in Australia and New Zealand, Munro set to test his limits over in the US at the Bonneville Speedway. Watch a man make his mark on an old bike he built himself.
Video: World Fastest Indian – Movie trailer
Video: Burt Munro – Beach, Road and Record
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
You are probably saying, “What the what?!” right now. But Eddie (Meat Loaf), the ex-delivery boy, rode an awesome WLA out of a deep freeze in Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s (Tim Curry’s) lair. Then he broke into song about the glories of rock n’ roll, and how he loved girls. Frank-N-Furter clearly had no choice but to kill him after that show of contempt for his authority. The film version of Rocky Horror is still the longest-running film in theatrical release, as of this writing.
(Courtesy of Complex Sports)
Video: Hot Patootie / Bless My Soul – Eddie’s Alive
TT3D: Closer to the Edge
Arguably the world’s most dangerous race, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy has been deemed the ultimate challenge between rider and motorcycle. This documentary follows the leading riders in the 2010 race, in particular Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson and fifteen-time TT winner John McGuinness – must be somethin’ in that English air. This film shows competitors’ commitment to the race (some paying with their lives) as they fight to be crowned king of the mountain. With a mixture of bikes, you’ll see Triumphs, Kawasakis, Aermarcchi and more – it’s as much about the bikes as it is the course. There’s sweat, tears, and some serious balls on the motorheads who survive the TT.
Video: TT3D Closer to the Edge – Movie Trailer
Video: Isle of Man – Best Moments
Ghost Rider
This film is where Marvel meets motorcycles. Main character and stunt motorcyclist, Johnny Blaze, trades his soul to fight evil as the Devil’s bounty hunter. Using the power of his Penance stare which causes his targets to feel all the pains of their victims, he hunts down demons who have escaped from hell. Riding around on a Custom HD Panhead Chopper (with a bit of added CGI), the “hell bike” was originally modeled off the Easy Rider “Captain America” motorcycle, not to mention Peter Fonda himself (Easy Rider) plays the Devil in the movie!
Video: Ghost Rider – Best Scenes
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
The bike vs. semi chase scene from T2 is one of the most iconic scenes in movie history to feature a Harley. It’s possibly one of the most iconic movie scenes of all time, but we’re not here to debate that. Instead, we’ll simply say that while John Connor’s (Edward Furlong’s) little Honda XR-100 dirtbike was great at speed and maneuverability, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) driving the semi would most definitely have caught him if the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) hadn’t scooped him up onto his Fat Boy. This scene also gets points as the most bad-ass gun reload sequence ever–shotgun or otherwise.
(Courtesy of Complex Sports)
Video: Tow Truck / Harley Bike Chase Scene
The Motorcycle Diaries
Before Che Guevara became an iconic Marxists guerrilla commander and revolutionary, he was just a 23-year-old man, riding his motorcycle across South America looking to find himself. Wanting to see as much of Latin America as possible, Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado embark on their trip on an old Norton 500 motorcycle. This film shows the man before the legend, just a young Guevara and his motorcycle.
Video: Motorcycle Diaries Official Trailer
Captain American – The First Avenger
Captain America came of age in the World War II era, so producers of the film wanted to put him on a WLA–the bike Harley was producing for the U.S. Army during that time period. To be more practical, they instead made over a modern Softail Cross Bones to look like a WLA–and then made a promotional video about it. We just like it because it’s such a part of Captain America’s identity, and it was cool to see it portrayed this way.
(Courtesy of Complex Sports)
Video: Captain America: The First Avenger Featurette – Motorcycle Chase
Video: Harley Davidson / Captain American Promotional Video
Get up and grab yourself some wheels
American Motorcycles in Victoria Park are able to get you road ready if you want to start burning the bitumen yourself! Whether it’s purchasing a pre-loved Harley Davidson or custom modifications to an existing bike, the team at American Motorcycles can help. For expert advice on vintage custom builds, part requests and servicing, book with the team today.
Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, and Saturdays 8:30am to noon.