In some films, motorcycles were as important as the characters and the directors' scripts. Cars like “Captain America” and “Black Death” in films not only serve to get from point A to point B. They are mobile synonyms of freedom, symbols of the counterculture of several decades of the century , two-wheeled signs of time. Of course, not all films carry the baggage of history with them, some are simply a piece of pop culture, while others are remembered only because they were amazing and still are to this day. We will present the most interesting of them. Let's start with the most important...
Harley-Davidson Street in Captain America: The Winter Soldier
As you might guess, Captain America rides an American bike. The superhero's mode of transportation is his trusty Harley-Davidson in both the World War II and present-day scenes.
Cap's constant vehicle is the Street 750. It is worth noting that the motorcycle is considered the youngest in the manufacturer's line. Of course, this fact was not very warmly received by the bikers. However, this HD is great for beginners who are looking to try something larger than 400cc.
"Captain America". A story without a happy ending?
Firstly, even among the classic motorcycles, there were classics that were sure to be used in every discussion of cult films, with motorcycles in the foreground. Of course, this is Captain America from the movie Easy Rider. The film, directed by Dennis Hopper, was released in theaters in 1969. Dennis Hopper also starred.
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"Easy Rider" is a road movie. Two motorcyclists, Billy (Dennis Hopper) and Wyatt as Captain America (Peter Fonda), travel across the southern United States to attend the Mardi Gras festival in Orleans, rushing to catch the last day of the carnival. Hopper's film dealt with intolerance, misunderstanding and hatred, that is, themes that are still relevant today and which are likely to be no less important forever. However, what was most beautiful in this film were the motorcycles.
Still from the movie “Easy Rider”
Fans of two wheels could admire the iconic Captain America motorcycle created by Tex Hall and actor Dan Haggerty, and the Billy Bike used by Dennis Hopper in the film. Four motorcycles were purchased for the film at a police auction. These were the 1949-1952 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide models with the famous Panhead HD engine. The idea for the restoration came from Fonda, and the modifications, according to his recommendations, were made by Cliff Waugh and Benjamin F. "Ben" Hardy, black customizers from Los Angeles.
For the purpose of the film, the motorcycles were heavily redesigned while maintaining the original engines. They were made in the style of choppers, which later brought this design style into the mainstream. Two Captain America models were built. Moreover, one of them was stolen along with two Billy Bikes before the film was released in theaters. The second car, with an American flag on the tank, was burned in the final, most memorable scene of the film. The motorcycle was badly damaged.
It is worth noting that this severely damaged copy was later restored by Haggerty and sold at auction in 1996 for 63.5 thousand. dollars. She was purchased by Gordon Granger from Texas. What's most interesting is that Haggerty later discovered that this motorcycle was not... the original motorcycle from the film. Why did he say this? Because he "converted" and sold another motorcycle purporting to be a genuine Captain America replica, aided by confirmation of authenticity from Peter Fonda. Fonda later denied his words, explaining that Haggerty had misled him.
These questions are much more complex and have been going on for many years, and the following scenes from this event have shocked America. The latest chapter of this farce took place in October last year, when the “last surviving” chopper from Easy Rider appeared at one of the auctions and was bought for $1.7 million. After the auction, Peter Fonda denied that it could be the original Captain America, which led to the buyer's eventual withdrawal from the deal.
This copy belonged to Michael Eisenwerg of Los Angeles, a well-known real estate agent and collector of Hollywood memorabilia. Michael bought the bike in early 2014 from John Parham. In turn, this Midwestern tycoon was the owner of the moto for 12 years, when the car was displayed at the motorcycle museum in Anamosa, Iowa. The most interesting thing is that Parham once purchased the iconic motorcycle from... Haggerty.
Today there are many replicas of both motorcycles, even in the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee one of them was preserved in its original condition, but the three stolen motorcycles would probably be considered good fakes. These wonderful choppers still evoke strong emotions because they are the essence of a bygone era, the rebel lifestyle of the late 1960s and unlimited freedom. Well, who doesn’t strive for this?!
Ducati Scrambler Icon in Venom
The film was not as hotly anticipated as the last "Avengers", but it was able to please with several memorable scenes. One of these can be considered the chase of the main character on the black Scrambler Icon. Stills from Venom would make a great promo for the bike.
The motorcycle has a 73 hp two-cylinder engine. Design and ergonomics deserve special attention - Ducati has managed to skillfully combine a comfortable fit and sporty attitude of the Icon.
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy in Terminator 2
A truly cult film and an equally legendary motorcycle. It was this bike that the T-800 needed at the very beginning of the picture, of course, after the boots and clothes. The stunning symbiosis of a leather jacket, a gun and a motorcycle created an iconic image that is remembered to this day.
It is noteworthy that Fat Boy was sold for almost 30 years. Over its long history, the model received various modifications, engines and gearboxes. This HD has managed to maintain its philosophy and unique charm.
Honda CBR1000RR in "Doctor House"
The actor playing Gregory House didn't have to fake his love for two-wheeled vehicles. Hugh Laurie prefers motorcycles in real life, but the Triumph brand.
In the role of a drug-addicted doctor, the actor rode a sports Honda, painted in the colors of the Repsol racing team. Despite its serious dynamic potential, the motorcycle behaves quite predictably and confidently.
Drunk, 1987
The director of the film, Frenchman Barbette Schroeder , spent several years making documentaries about Charles Bukowski and finally matured into a feature-length film based on the script of the writer himself. Rourke, who “wrested” the role from another contender, Sean Penn , had to embody Bukowski’s alter ego, the alcoholic poet Henry Chinaski. His poems and stories are not published, he almost lives in bars, and earns money in street fights and other dubious activities. And this choice is a completely conscious life position, which Henry is not ready to exchange for a roof over his head and well-fed bourgeois everyday life in the status of a famous writer. The painting cannot be called a masterpiece - despite the fact that Schroeder devoted so many years to studying Bukowski’s work, his interpretation of the image turns out to be one-sided. The demonstration of drunken everyday life, antics, and conversations obscures the story about Henry as a talented writer - and this is a key point that explains both the young publisher’s falling in love with him and his own refusal of a wealthy and carefree life. In the scenery, taken, of course, from Bukowski’s novels and stories, the author’s idea of creative freedom, marginality, and non-belonging to any circle is lost. However, we must pay tribute to Mickey Rourke, whose performance allows us to close our eyes to the director’s flaws: the star and sex symbol of the 80s, who has just seduced the whole world in “9 ½ Weeks,” incredibly convincingly plays a despondent, always drunk, dragging his leg and not capable of calming the trembling in a person’s hands. To match him is film star Faye Dunaway in the role of Wanda’s drinking buddy and life partner. Bukowski, as you know, was pleased with the work and even starred in a small cameo - what could be more valuable than such recognition.
BMW R1200C in "Tomorrow Never Dies"
Three films in which Pierce Brosnan played the role of James Bond featured BMW products. The film gave viewers a memorable chase scene on an R1200C.
The model was designed to compete with Harley-Davidson and its Japanese counterparts. While manufacturers in the Land of the Rising Sun were trying to understand what exactly Americans liked about motorcycles and in some ways copied HD, BMW created a truly original vehicle.
Specifications
The American unit is equipped with a movable rear subframe and a shock absorber responsible for the suspension travel. The latter is hidden from view under the seat. The bike's wheels are equipped with disc brakes and R16 tires.
As for the engine, the motorcycle has a classic four-pin V-Twin Evolution unit. At that time it was revolutionary on the market and had no analogues. Its features were an air cooling system with a cylinder camber of 45 degrees. The engine capacity was 1337 cubic centimeters. Claimed power is 49 horsepower at 5,000 rpm. Paired with the engine was a 5-speed manual transmission with a multi-disc clutch. The maximum speed that the bike could reach was 150 km/h.
The gas tank volume was limited to 16 liters. The average gasoline consumption did not exceed 7 liters per 100 km in the city, and on the highway it was even 5 liters. The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy was a heavy motorcycle, since its weight was about 3 centners (and this is without filled technical fluids and all kinds of additional elements).
Ducati 996 in The Matrix. Reboot"
The protagonist's friend Trinity saved the Key Master on a Ducati sports bike.
The motorcycle was produced for only three years. Then it was replaced by an almost identical model 998, which in 2004 received a limited edition in honor of the “Reboot”. The decision is quite strange in terms of authenticity, but quite logical from a technical point of view - the engine of the new bike has become a little more powerful and easier to maintain.
The Godfather of Greenwich Village, 1984
The New York neighborhood that gave the film its name played an important role in Rourke’s career—when, at the very beginning of his film career, the actor rented a tiny apartment here and worked wherever he could: as a salesman, as a pool cleaner, as a bouncer in a bar. All the money earned went to pay for the room and studies at the Actors Studio. In the film by Stuart Rosenberg, he again does not play the “first fiddle” - he shares the screen with Eric Roberts , young, with a curly head. Paulie (Roberts) and Charlie (Rourke) are friends who are closer to each other than any family. They have connections in the mafia and there is always some new scam on their minds. Rourke's more sensible hero is trying to get involved with petty crime; he needs a permanent job - life with a blonde aerobics instructor (Daryl Hannah) requires effort and sacrifice. But how can he refuse Paulie, who once again drags him into a dangerous adventure? To implement it, it is necessary to steal money from the godfather of the Greenwich Village mafia - not only that now none of their connections will help the friends, since out of spite it turns out that Charlie’s girlfriend is pregnant. The film looks like both a drama about human relationships and a crime, gangster thriller in the spirit of “The Godfather” - but in fact, what is valuable is, above all, the acting.
Kawasaki GPZ900R in Top Gun
Let's remember that in the film Tom Cruise played military pilot Pete. In his free time, the character rode a Kawasaki motorcycle. The director of the film made the decision to choose this particular bike as a vehicle for a reason.
The fact is that the fast GPZ900R reveals the main character in the best possible way. Most American soldiers after combat operations since the Second World War found a kind of “outlet” in two-wheeled transport.
Eatery, 1982
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Mickey Rourke's biography began as a classic story of a difficult childhood: a stepfather who raised his hand against both him and his mother, a street company consisting of outcasts of all stripes, as a result - drugs, fights and problems with the law. The first thing that saved Rourke from rapidly falling to the bottom was the boxing ring. The second is the theater. He played his first role in 1969 in a school play. At the same time, the aspiring actor entered the courses of the famous drama teacher Jay Jensen , after which he made a strong-willed decision to end his destructive lifestyle, entered the Lee Strasberg and began acting in films. Rourke’s first roles were not just episodic, but barely noticeable, but nevertheless, after appearing in the films “1941” (1979) by Steven Spielberg and “Body Heat” (1981) Lawrence Kasdan , attention was still paid to Rourke. In 1982, he played his first leading role - in the debut film of the future director of "The Trickster" and "Rain Man" Barry Levinson . In "The Diner," an autobiographical story about 20-something friends in Baltimore who try to appear grown-up but are desperately afraid of growing up. Nothing really happens in the film; all the action is contained in conversations that the characters have while sitting at “their” table in their favorite eatery. It is noteworthy that this film became a career springboard not only for director and screenwriter Levinson and Rourke, who played the gambling Boogie with a sly look and a charming half-smile, but also for the rest of the actors, including Steve Guttenberg and Kevin Bacon .
Harley-Davidson FXR in "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man"
Perhaps this is the only film in the selection where the motorcycle brand appears in the title of the film. The main character, played by Mickey Rourke, rides a custom 1989 Low Rider FXR.
The motorcycle can rightfully be considered a landmark in the HD line. The American manufacturer first used many technical innovations in the FXR model. Moreover, since 1985, the Evolution engine has been installed on the bike, which is still considered one of the most reliable.
Triumph Speed Triple 955i in Mission: Impossible 2
John Woo's blockbuster is very different from his earlier works. The main character, played by Tom Cruise, cannot boast of a well-thought-out story, but the action scenes are captivating in their scale and complexity.
A fragment of one of the final fights stood out with the spectacular explosion of a rare and interesting Speed Triple 955i bike. The latter is built on the basis of the Daytona 955i and is distinguished by enviable comfort, but at the same time the dynamic characteristics are kept at the level of flagship sportsbikes.
