Image via Complex Original
Intro
In some cases, it's the rider who makes the bike. In other cases, it's the bike that makes the rider. In film, talented stunt-people ride most bikes. But while you're watching these movies, it's the characters riding these bikes who burn that rubber into your brain. If you haven't seen some of these movies yet, consider this a shopping list next time you want to see crazy bike stunts or simple bike cool.
Purple Rain
25. Purple Rain (1984)
Motorcycle: 1981 Honda Hondamatic CB400A (custom)
Rider: Prince
Complex Says: Prince's custom purple Honda was one of the most memorable things about Purple Rain--if you don't count the classic soundtrack and Apollonia Kotero, of course. Anyone else would be scared to load their custom white axe on the back of their bike with no case to protect it. Not Prince.
The Girl on a Motorcycle
24. The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968)
Motorcycle: 1967 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide
Rider: Marianne Faithfull
Complex Says: This film's all about Rebecca (Marianne Faithfull) and her bike. Well, that and the fact that she doesn't like anything to come between her and her leathers. But mostly it's about the kind of freedom Rebecca only feels when she's on her motorcycle. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.
Thunderball
23. Thunderball (1965)
Motorcycle: BSA Lightning A65-L
Rider: Luciana Paluzzi
Complex Says: When we think of James Bond films, we usually think of cars. Bond rides a lot of bikes, too--but none with missile launchers, like this one ridden by SPECTRE assassin Fiona Volpe (Paluzzi). What other bikes do you know that inspired a short film called, "A Child's Guide to Blowing Up a Motor Car"? Yep, that's what we thought.
Salt
22. Salt (2010)
Motorcycle: 2009 Triumph Street Triple R
Rider: Angelina Jolie
Complex Says: Street Triple not badass enough for you? That's why Triumph developed the Street Triple R. To boost the badassitude, Angie did all her own stunts in this movie--including the ones on the bike.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
21. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Motorcycle: 2009 Aprilia RS 125
Rider: Megan Fox
Complex Says: Ace mechanic Mikaela Banes (Fox) rescues her hapless boyfriend, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) on her trusty RS 125. Don't let its small size fool you. This lightweight pocket rocket is powered by the famed Rotax-Aprilia two-stroke engine. There's a reason this bike owns the 125cc classes in Europe.
Top Gun
20. Top Gun (1986)
Motorcycle: 1985 Kawasaki GPZ 900 R
Rider: Tom Cruise
Complex Says: Maverick (Tom Cruise) was an icon if you grew up in the '80s. You wanted his skills, his plane, his girl, his bike--and you envied his cool. At the end, he even took his Kaw racing against fighter jets. Spoiler alert.
War
19. War (2007)
Motorcycle: Confederate X132 Hellcat
Rider: Jet Li
Complex Says: Assassin Rogue (Jet Li) rides his Hellcat like, well, hell. Even that combination of things unfortunately didn't result in much bank at the box office. But the bike's still gorgeous, and it may be the only time you'll see a Confederate in a film.
First Blood
18. First Blood (1982)
Motorcycle: Yamaha XT 250
Rider: Sylvester Stallone
Complex Says: You know how lots of SUVs couldn't actually go off-roading if they tried? Rambo's XT 250 is nothing like those, and he puts it through its paces in this film as he's being chased by Sheriff Teasle (Brian Dennehy). Need a bike to go over the river and through the woods? Try this one.
Mad Max
17. Mad Max (1979)
Motorcycle: 1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000
Rider: Steve Bisley
Complex Says: Mad Max is the ultimate revenge tale of a man who's been pushed too far. The film's tension amps up when notorious biker gang member Johnny (Tim Burns) makes sure MFP officer Goose's (Bisley's) KZ is destroyed. If you'd rather cheer for the bad guys, don't worry--several ride KZs as well.
The Green Hornet
16. The Green Hornet (2011)
Motorcycle: Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle (custom)
Rider: Jay Chou
Complex Says: The movie may be called "The Green Hornet," but it's all about Kato (Chou) and his custom V-Rod. Kato's a mechanical genius who's constantly saving the Green Hornet's ass, both on and off the V-Rod. Yet another case where the bike may be the best thing about the movie.
Star Trek
15. Star Trek (2009)
Motorcycle: Custom police hoverbike
Rider: Iowa Police in 2240
Complex Says: James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) rides a pretty badass bike that was custom-designed for this movie. The only thing badder than that bike? The Iowa police custom hoverbikes. That's right. Bikes that can fly.
Quantum of Solace
14. Quantum of Solace (2008)
Motorcycle: Montesa Cota 4RT (modified)
Rider: Daniel Craig
Complex Says: James Bond masters every piece of machinery he picks up--including a trials bike like the Cota 4RT. A previous Montesa model was what multiple world trials champion Dougie Lampkin won his titles on. No wonder Bond chose its slightly more advanced successor. Nothing but the best for 007, after all.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
13. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Motorcycle: 1990 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy FLSTF
Rider: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Complex Says: From the moment the Terminator says, "I need your clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle," this Fat Boy becomes so much more than just your average H-D. We wouldn't want to run into the Terminator on foot, let alone with two wheels and a shotgun. John Connor couldn't be safer.
Ultraviolet
12. Ultraviolet (2006)
Motorcycle: 2001 BMW R1150 R
Rider: Milla Jovovich
Complex Says: The antigravity chase scene Violet (Jovovich) has on her R1150 R is so fantastic, it makes up for the completely unintelligible plot of the rest of the movie. Well, almost. The film is visually stunning, true. But it's the bike that steals the show.
Priest
11. Priest (2011)
Motorcycle: Custom-fabricated vampire-hunting machine based on the Suzuki Gladius
Rider: Paul Bettany
Complex Says: How do you bring a Korean comic featuring a priest who hunts vampires on foot to the big screen? You build him this bike. It's really that simple. Now everyone will want one. We know we do.
Kill Bill Vol. 1
10. Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003)
Motorcycle: Kawasaki ZZR 250
Rider: Uma Thurman
Complex Says: When you're a member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who's bent on getting revenge on the man who tried to kill you, it's important to choose a color-coordinated street bike. The light, nimble nature of the ZZR 250 as you race down Tokyo streets is also helpful.
Torque
9. Torque (2004)
Motorcycle: Triumph Daytona 955i
Rider: Ice Cube
Complex Says: Trey (Ice Cube) is one Reaper you should fear, and never more than when he's on his trick Daytona 955i. While some have criticized the obvious CGI work in this film, this bike in particular makes it much easier to just go along for the ride.
Akira
8. Akira (1988)
Motorcycle: Custom-animated design, rumored to be a Honda
Rider: Mitsuo Iwata
Complex Says: Shotaro Kaneda's (Iwata's) futuristic bike has influenced an entire generation of fans. Don't believe us? Google "Kaneda bike," and take a look at the amazing real-life replicas many fans have built. There are quite a few, and they're very impressive.
TRON: Legacy
7. TRON: Legacy (2010)
Motorcycle: Custom light cycle
Rider: Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Jeff Bridges
Complex Says: Everyone knows the ultimate dream of motorcyclists is to actually become one with their motorcycles. Well, that and look cool doing it. World, meet the TRON light cycles. Light cycles, meet the world.
Terminator: Salvation
6. Terminator: Salvation (2009)
Motorcycle: Custom design based on the Ducati Hypermotard 1100
Rider: Self-piloted
Complex Says: What's more menacing than Terminators? Mototerminators. They don't need to find wheels; they've got them built in. What would we like to come after us less than Ahnold? These.
Planet Terror
5. Planet Terror (2007)
Motorcycle: West Coast Choppers Grindhouse Chopper (custom-built)
Rider: Rose McGowan
Complex Says: Yes, built by that West Coast Customs, including and especially Jesse James. In the movie, Cherry Darling (McGowan) not only rides this chopper like a badass, she shoots her enemies up with her prosthetic machine gun leg. If this was just a list about general badassery, she'd top it. Alas, she's slightly more badass than her bike. But only slightly.
The Matrix Reloaded
4. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Motorcycle: 2001 Ducati 996
Rider: Carrie-Anne Moss
Complex Says: Even if you've never seen this movie, you've seen the freeway chase scene where Trinity (Moss) rescues a nondescript businessman on the back of her 996. Her agile piloting of this bike is how she fights back, and it's truly awe-inspiring.
The Great Escape
3. The Great Escape (1963)
Motorcycle: 1961 Triumph TR6 Trophy Bird
Rider: Steve McQueen
Complex Says: We know what you're thinking. "The Great Escape...didn't that involve Nazis? Well before 1961?" Yes and yes. The TR6 was painted German Wehrmacht gray and disguised to look like a period bike. Some period 1938 BMWs (with sidecars, even) also show up in the film. McQueen was so badass playing Hilts, he kept outrunning the less-skilled German soldiers who were chasing him. As a result, through clever editing, McQueen (in German soldier costume) chases himself on this bike at one point.
The Dark Knight
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
Motorcycle: Bat-Pod (custom-built)
Rider: Christian Bale
Complex Says: How do you top the Tumbler if you're a ridiculously rich crime-fighter? By building a Bat-Pod. Because any motorcycle that can't elongate and change shape in mid-ride--while shooting grappling hooks--is so five minutes ago.
The World's Fastest Indian
1. The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
Motorcycle: 1920 Indian Scout "Burt Monro Special"
Rider: Anthony Hopkins
Complex Says: Burt Monro (Hopkins) didn't just build a world record-breaking bike in this movie. The real-life Burt Monro set three separate land-speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, in 1962, 1966, and 1967. The 1967 record of 190.07 mph is still the fastest-ever speed recorded on an Indian. Monro not only modified his bike himself to break those records, but constantly ferried it back and forth between his native New Zealand and Utah. That's not just badassery. That's perseverance and mad genius, too.
