While we were choosing the most badass motorcycles from sci-fi movies, the suggestions came faster than a 74-Z speeder and with more authority than a Lawmaster. In the end, what we originally intended to be a “top 10” list quickly grew to a “top 14.” If we included television shows — looking at you,Battlestar Galactica— the list could have easily grown longer. Either way, sit back and check out some of the more memorable motorcycles from science fiction (clips included)
Stolen 1990 Harley-Davidson FatboyTerminator 2: Judgement Day(1991)
Terminator 2: Judgement Dayis the 1991 sequel to 1984’s originalTerminator, both directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. InT2, Schwarzenegger’s cyborg character must protect a 10-year-old boy, John Connor (Edward Furlong). After landing in a parking lot on Earth, Schwarzenegger finds clothing and transportation in the form of 1990Harley-Davidson Fatboyat a nearby biker bar.
LawmasterDredd(2012)
Directed by Pete Travis, 2012’sDreddstarred Karl Urban as a police officer with the power to make judgments as he saw fit in the pursuit of criminals. TheLawmaster, Dredd’s motorcycle, was built on aSuzuki GSX 750with an extended chassis. The Lawmaster in the Stallone-starringJudge Dredd,was too overbuilt to steer so the later film constructed a bike the actor could actually pilot, according to theLawmaster Wiki.
Ducati 996TheMatrix Reloaded(2003)
Carrie-Anne Moss’ character, Trinity, escaped with the Keymaker (Randall Duk Kim) inThe Matrix Reloaded, directed by Lana and Lily Wachowski. Trinity drove off a vehicle carrier with aDucati996.
74-Z SpeederStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi(1983)
It turns out the affectionately known “speeder bikes” have an in-canon designation! Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) rode and were chased by Stormtroopers through the forests of Endor’s moon on these iconic speeders inStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
BatPodThe Dark Knight(2008)
In Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight, Christian Bale’s Batman drove the BatPod while in pursuit of the Joker (Heath Ledger). The BatPod is armed with front-mounted cannons, machine guns, and grappling hooks.
Moto-TerminatorsTerminator Salvation(2009)
Terminator Salvationstarred Christian Bale in the role of John Connor. TheMoto-Terminatorswere weaponized by Skynet to hunt humans.
Light CyclesTron: Legacy(2010)
Two motorcycles star in Joseph Kosinski’sTron: Legacy. The film starts off with Sam Flynn cruising the real world on his Ducati Sport 100. As cool as it is, in the virtual world, the Light Cycle racer is the real star. On their apparent 5th-generation, these vehicles bear a much closer resemblance to real motorcycles.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10Robocop(2014)
José Padilha directed the 2014 remake ofRoboCop. Joel Kinnaman plays the title role of Alex Murphy aka RoboCop. Murphy rides aKawasaki Ninja ZX-10.
Aurora’s bikeRollerball(2002)
In the 2002Rollerballremake, directed by John McTiernan, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos’ Aurora and other players rode modifiedGas Gastrail motorcycles.
Kaneda’s BikeAkira(1988)
Katsuhiro Ôtomo directed 1988’sAkira.In the animated film Shotaro Kaneda, the hero fights a psychotic villain threatening Neo-Tokyo. Kaneda’s bike was not real, although some have suggested theHonda NM4was inspired by the manga moto.
Tom Cruise’s custom Honda Folding Dirt BikeOblivion (2013)
Tom Cruise famously does his own stunts, including motorcycle riding, in his films. In 2013’sOblivion, directed by Joseph Kosinski, Cruise, playing the part of Jack, unfolds adual sportbike. According toMotorcycle-usa.com, the folding dirt bike was based on aHonda CRF450X.
Vampire-hunting Jet BikePriest (2011)
If you’re going to hunt vampires, what better ride than a jet-bike built for the task? InPriest, directed in 2011 by Scott Stewart, Paul Bettany plays the title role, hunting vampires to rescue his niece even though the church told him not to. Priest rides a jet-powered bike with drag race tires on each end, according toMotorcycle News. The bike, which wasn’t really jet-powered, was based on aSuzukiGladius 650.
Gun Leg on a chopped Harley-DavidsonPlanet Terror (2007)
Cherry Darling, played by Rose McGowan in Director Robert Rodriquez’s 2007 Grindhouse filmPlanet Terror,lost a leg in a terrible accident. Her choice of a machine gun for a prosthesis, hence her nickname “Gun Leg,” defines her character and the zombie film. Darling’s ex-boyfriend Wray, played by Freddy Rodriquez, rides a slightly choppedHarley-Davidsonwith Gun Leg riding backward on the passenger seat so she can keep shooting.
Norton CommandoI Bought a Vampire Motorcycle (1990)
A motorcycle plays the lead role inI Bought a Vampire Motorcycle, 1990, directed by Dirk Campbell. An evil spirit possesses a damaged750cc Norton Commandothat seeks revenge on a motorcycle gang.
