When Bikes Stole The Whole Show
There's something undeniably magnetic about a motorcycle on the big screen—the roar of the engine and the rush of speed that makes your heart race. Film has a way of turning two wheels into a symbol of rebellion and pure style, immortalizing certain rides in the minds of audiences for decades. Some have become cultural icons that shape how we imagine adventure itself. In this list, we will discover the 20 coolest movie motorcycles in cinema—and why each one still turns heads.
1. Triumph TR6 Trophy
The image of Steve McQueen gunning a Triumph TR6 Trophy over a fence in The Great Escape has defined movie motorcycle stunts for decades. Disguised as a German machine for the film, the actual leap was performed by McQueen’s stunt double and friend, Bud Ekins.
2. Torque’s Y2K Jet Bike
Powered by a real helicopter turbine engine, Torque’s Y2K Jet Bike from the movie Torque is one of only a few in existence worldwide. As if that wasn’t wild enough, filmmakers amped up the thrill by dubbing its already insane roar with full-on jet sounds.
1999 Y2K Jet Bike - Jay Leno’s Garage by Jay Leno's Garage
3. Dnepr MT-11
In the Nazi chase scene featuring Sean Connery, the production team used a Soviet-made motorcycle that had been modified specifically for the film Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade. With a comedic sidecar, this bike became central to an unforgettable and iconic movie sequence.
Dnepr MT -11, la fin d'une belle merde ❗❗❗by ELPAP
4. Triumph Thunderbird 6T
Ridden by Marlon Brando’s leather‑wrapped Johnny in The Wild One, Triumph Thunderbird 6T helped ignite motorcycle culture in America. Today, the very same Thunderbird has retired from the open road and now resides in a museum.
5. Ducati 996
Trinity’s gripping freeway chase in The Matrix Reloaded turned the Ducati 996 into a movie icon overnight. Following the film’s release, Ducati experienced a notable spike in sales, as fans were fascinated by the bike’s performance and style.
6. Honda CL350
The restored Honda CL350 carried Rooney Mara’s character through the cold Swedish terrains in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Mara learned to ride it herself, adding authenticity to both the character’s rebellious aura and the film’s raw energy.
Honda CB CL 350 Girl with the dragon tatoo by jozeft1977
7. Triumph Speed Triple
Tom Cruise’s penchant for doing his own stunts hit new heights in Mission: Impossible 2 as he tore across chase scenes on a Triumph Speed Triple. The bike wasn’t just a prop—it starred alongside Cruise, especially in the dramatic beach fight finale.
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima on Wikimedia
8. Honda CRF250R
In Skyfall’s adrenaline-pumping rooftop chase through Istanbul, James Bond swapped his sleek Aston Martin for a nimble Honda CRF250R. Modified to look like a police bike, the light dirt bike raced across rooftops and zipped through narrow market streets.
9. Harley-Davidson FL Hydra-Glide
Built from a Harley-Davidson Hydra Glide and made famous by Peter Fonda’s Captain America role, Easy Rider even spawned a mystery when one of the originals was stolen after filming. Today, replica choppers are treasured by collectors who crave a slice of that free-spirited era.
10. Harley-Davidson V-Rod
The aggressive styling of this bike perfectly matched Wolverine’s rugged persona in the film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Despite Harley-Davidson’s partnership with the movie for promotional purposes, it was discontinued shortly after in 2017, largely due to low sales.
Janusz Sobolewski from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada on Wikimedia
11. Tron Light Cycle
Few bikes have lit up the screen like the Tron Light Cycle. Inspired by real prototypes but brought to life through dazzling digital effects, the bike became the showpiece of Tron: Legacy’s high-speed Grid battles. Parker Brothers Choppers even crafted a working version.
The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA on Wikimedia
12. Honda XR600R
In The Place Beyond the Pines, Ryan Gosling’s character chose the Honda XR600R as his partner in crime—literally. Its dirt bike agility and roaring speed were perfect for his high-stakes bank heists, allowing him to vanish down backroads in a blur.
Original uploader was Daniel Björklund at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
13. BMW R1200C
Handcuffed to Wai Lin in Tomorrow Never Dies, Bond made the BMW R1200C look effortlessly cool while dodging enemies in the vibrant chaos of Saigon. As one of the few BMWs in 007 history, it gained extra star power with its film-tied launch.
14. Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
When Arnold Schwarzenegger thundered into our memories on a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, cinema history was made. From the breathtaking L.A. canal chase to posters and trailers, this bike was as much a star as the T-800 itself.
15. Harley-Davidson Chopper
Based on a customized Harley-Davidson chopper featured in the movie Ghost Rider, it was amped up with CGI flames and supernatural powers. Nicolas Cage’s Rider even took it up buildings and over water, ultimately sparking a wave of collectible toys and fan obsession.
16. Kawasaki KZ1000
The Kawasaki KZ1000, seen in Mad Max, was modified for a post-apocalyptic look and complete with a faux supercharger, carrying the ruthless Toecutter gang across the harsh desert. Grimy and unforgettable, it still inspires custom bike builders to this day.
Mad Max KZ1000 by Bienville Studios
17. Yamaha MT-09
In John Wick: Chapter 3, gunfights weren’t enough—Keanu Reeves brought thrilling swordplay to a speeding Yamaha MT-09 in a samurai-inspired bridge chase. Left almost entirely unmodified, the MT‑09’s raw look matched Reeves’ real-life love for motorcycles.
18. The Batpod
The Batpod was dreamed up by Nathan Crowley and built from scratch for The Dark Knight Trilogy. With custom Michelin tires and Christian Bale’s intense training, every on-screen moment felt like a peek into Batman’s gadget arsenal.
19. Kawasaki ZZR 250
Gliding along Tokyo’s neon streets in Kill Bill: Volume 1, Uma Thurman’s Kawasaki ZZR 250 was fashion in motion. The yellow paint matched her equally iconic jumpsuit, a nod to Bruce Lee’s legendary style.
Kill Bill Vol 1: Kawasaki ZZR250 EX250H Motorcycle Scene by MotoPixel
20. Harley-Davidson Street 750
Custom-built by Harley-Davidson for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this matte black Street 750 roared through Washington in pulse-pounding chase scenes. So beloved by fans, the bike earned its own spotlight at Comic-Con, cementing its place as one of Marvel’s most stylish screen rides.
The Harley Davidson Motorcycles Ridden By Captain America | Bikes of Captain America by Glam Slam
