The emotions of the two wheels on the big screen
Throughout the history of cinema, there have been numerous scenes involving actors on motorcycles that have become famous. Indeed, these motorcycles, symbols of rebellion and individual freedom, always manage to add that extra touch needed to create impactful spectacles that remain in the minds of the audience. In this article, we want to remember some of the scenes that have fascinated us the most.
Let’s start with the legendary Quentin Tarantino, who presents a 1986 Harley Davidson FXR Super Glide ridden by Bruce Willis. The great Bruce, in the role of Butch Coolidge, rides the motorcycle in some scenes with the name “Grace” written on the fuel tank.
In fact, Quentin showcases scenes with motorcycles in several of his films. In “Kill Bill Volume 1,” we see Uma Thurman speeding down the streets on a yellow-striped Kawasaki ZZR 250, and we also encounter some black-striped Yamaha FZ 400 Fazer bikes. Not to forget the BMW R 71 that appear in the final scene of “Inglourious Basterds” when Shosanna, a Jewish character, tries to run to safety as the Germans ride in on motorcycles. It’s worth noting that the benefits are mutual; motorcycles add adrenaline to the film and consequently gain great popularity. In this case, the BMW R 71 was presented at the Berlin Motor Show in ’38 as a touring vehicle with a sidecar.
Moving on to the film “Top Gun” by Tony Scott in 1986, a scene you will surely remember features the cinema star Tom Cruise riding the Kawasaki GPZ900R on the fighter jet’s landing strip. This Japanese powerhouse is the one with which the American actor mastered the art of motorcycling. At the time, the Kawasaki GPZ900R was the fastest motorcycle on the market.
Pure adrenaline is delivered by the Wachowski brothers in their masterpiece “The Matrix Reloaded,” where Trinity races down the highway, weaving through traffic on a specially designed Ducati 998 model for the film. Only 250 units of this model were produced by the motorcycle manufacturer in Borgo Panigale. Finding one of these bikes now is practically impossible, though it’s been reported that one was for sale on eBay in Indiana, USA, last year. Was it sold? You’ll have to verify.
Equally thrilling is the scene with Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, who, after escaping from prison, steals a motorcycle from a passerby and flees through the wilderness, cliffs, and muddy terrain. This involves the Yamaha XT250, a 22-horsepower Japanese dual-sport, a classic from the 1980s enduro era that stands up well against current models.
Lastly, we want to mention the Honda CF250R from “Skyfall.” It appears in the twenty-third James Bond film directed by Sam Mendes, in the opening scene where 007 Daniel Craig chases the hitman Patrice on the rooftops of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, amid views of the Bosphorus and Hagia Sophia. The small Honda gracefully maneuvers through spaces, maneuvers, and jumps, creating a highly engaging and spectacular effect.