The Moto Movies We Never Get Tired Of
The question is often asked, “Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art?” The same can be asked about movies, “Do films influence culture, or does culture influence film?” The answer to both is quite simply, yes. All of the above. Cinema (and in many respects, television) and culture not only reflect each other, but they influence each other as well, for good and bad.
The image of motorcycling, especially here in America, has often been influenced by cinema’s portrayal of us. Movies like “The Wild One” and most recently, “The Bikeriders”, as well as TV shows and series such as “Sons of Anarchy” impact how the wider public views us riders, whether we like it or not. And yet movies can have a very positive impact for motorcycling as well. Films that portray the freedom, camaraderie, and shared experiences of riding can inspire new riders to join the fold, and deepen us veterans’ love for all things two wheels and a motor.
After a recent conversation with our friend Bryan H. Carroll, the writer/producer/director of the 2013 documentary “Why We Ride”, we got thinking about the motorcycle movies several of the Road Dirt guys have mentioned before as film favorites, and thought we’d share them here. They’re not the usual “bad boy” or “biker gang” movies that have been a dime a dozen over the years. These are movies that we feel really capture in some way our collective moto culture. And we love them.
So grab a bowl of popcorn, pull up a comfy spot on the couch, and binge watch a few of these gems we’ve selected. Then let us know your faves in the comments below!
On Any Sunday
A 1971 documentary film on motorcycle racing in America, “On Any Sunday” is still considered the standard by which all other motorcycle documentaries are often judged. Written, directed and produced by Bruce Brown, the film was nominated for an Academy Award in 1972 for “Best Documentary Feature”. The movie captures the passion, drive and skills it takes to compete at the highest levels of on and off-road motorcycle racing, and features legends Mert Lawwill, Malcolm Smith, and David Aldana, among others. Film star and talented motorcycle rider/racer in his own right, Steve McQueen features prominently in the film, and he helped produce and fund the production as well. The late film critic Roger Ebert once remarked that the movie “does for motorcycle racing what ‘The Endless Summer’ did for surfing.” It’s still a classic, over half a century later.
Why We Ride
A 2013 documentary on all aspects of motorcycling, “Why We Ride” is in many respects the “On Any Sunday” for the new millennium of riders. Expanding on the motorcycle racing theme of its predecessor, “Why We Ride” highlights the lifestyle of motorcycle riding, from competition, to road tripping, to weekend riding fun with the family and friends. Originally intended to be a documentary of legendary flat track racers, writer, producer, and director Bryan Carroll broadened his film’s scope to showcase all forms of motorbike riding, the therapeutic benefits we riders experience on two wheels, and the community we enjoy in our sport/pastime/passion. We love this movie, and consider it a worthy companion to “On Any Sunday” as another of the greatest motorcycling documentaries ever filmed.
The World’s Fastest Indian
A 2005 film on the life and pursuits of legendary New Zealand motorcycle racer Burt Munro, “World’s Fastest Indian” is a beautifully produced movie about not just one man’s relentless pursuit of motorcycle land speed records, but the heart and drive to realize a dream. With Munro portrayed wonderfully by Anthony Hopkins, this biographical story is both heartwarming and inspiring. Munro set multiple land speed records in several categories at the Bonneville Speed Trials with his hopped up 1920 Indian Scout in the late 1950s into the 1960s, and this film captures his trials and troubles to get there, as well as the sheer joy of achieving his dreams. We still sit down to re-watch this one on occasion, it’s such an enjoyable film.
Easy Rider
Released in 1969, “Easy Rider” was a touchstone film for the end of the 60s, showcasing the zeitgeist of the “hippie” movement, drug use, and free living on the fringe of society. Written, directed and produced by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, who both starred in the film as well, “Easy Rider” follows two bikers road tripping across America, Los Angeles to New Orleans. After scoring big with the sale of cocaine they smuggled from Mexico into the States, the friends ride their choppers across the southwest and the Deep South, encountering all kinds of characters and scenarios along their way to Mardi Gras. The movie was nominated for several Academy Awards, and was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” If you’ve never watched this movie, we encourage you to add it to your list.
Hitting The Apex
It’s no secret that we at Road Dirt love motorcycle racing (most of us at least). From our relationships with MotoAmerica, AFT, and Supercross, to our own guys Ryan Nolan, Ted Edwards and Neale Bayly who frequent the track themselves, speed on two wheels is in our DNA here. So it’s only fitting that we include this amazing film about the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing, MotoGP. Released in late 2015, the film follows the 2014 premiere class racing series, focusing on six now legendary riders from that epic MotoGP season- Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner, Marc Marquez, and the late Marco Simoncelli. Written and directed by Mark Neale and narrated by Brad Pitt, “Hitting the Apex” is a fantastic look inside the world of the fastest motorcycle road racers of all time, and the historic season that saw them all battling for the top of the podium and the peak of GP glory. It’s still a thrill ride to watch, ten years later.
So there they are, our picks for the greatest motorcycle movies in cinematic history. Like we stated earlier, most people tend to think of motorcycle movies in the context of “biker gang” films. Although those types of movies factor prominently in cinematic history, they generally are not listed among our personal favorites here at Road Dirt. We prefer the films that show the reality and purity of our passion, and the real people who ride. “Easy Rider” is the exception of course, due to its unique place in film history and in our collective riding experience.
So, what do you think of our picks? What films would make your list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Here’s a modest suggestion to the list, not disputing it, as I have 4 of the 5 films mentioned on my own shelf.
There was a film some years back that had a heartfelt ode to the road road trip, called One Week.
It’s got a lot of the things we all want, a journey with purpose, modest misadventures, scenery, and a satisfying sendoff.
It’s a smaller Canadian film, from almost 20 years ago, but it certainly holds up well.
We’ll look that one up. Thanks Larry,
Also low budget but interesting. Robert Blakes Electra Glide in Blue
“Wild Hogs” is a perspective of life is playful. Road trip riding scenes are well done. The story and writing is weak but it is entertaining
You’re right, as silly as it was (on purpose), it was well-shot, with great ride footage.
Time Rider got me on a dirt bike and it’s one of my favorites. Every teen and pre-teen who sees it will also be hooked on dirt bikes.
cc Ryder!👍
Girl On A Motorcycle, Motorcycle Diaries, Matrix Reloaded, All of the BDR documentaries…
Good ones!
then Came Bronson
one of my favorite shows as a kid, I have been looking for some place to stream it, no luck so far.
I started riding in 1953 and covered a lot of miles. I am now disabled as is my wife and as the road gets shorter ahead of me my son has said that he will put me on my last road trip to Fire Lake
Wishing you all the best, Ric. God bless,
what about Mad Max??
Running Cool from 1993 starting James Gammon, Andrew Divoff, and DeeDee Pfeiffer. Kinda cheesy and absolutely awesome!
(#1)the wild one (#2) Easy Rider (#3)Harley- Davidson and the Marlboro Man(#4) Hells Angels On Wheels(#5) and finally the last Indian!
Cycles South…..another great 70’s film made on low low budget.
Ya missed, ‘Time Rider’ 🙂 Myke
Yup, good ones all.
How could you not include The Wild One? 1953.
For the reasons stated in the story. You’re right though, Like it or not, the film was a defining one for a generation.
Little Fauss and Big Halsey, with Redford and Michael J pollard was a good one from around 1970, got me into roadracing…
American Bagger.
Why not throw in the motorcycle documentary that was and still is being enjoyed by motorcyclists and non motorcyclists alike? I’m talking about “Long Way Round”. Charley and Ewen sparked an adventure motorcycle craze that changed the motorcycle industry and ignited the adventure travel bug in people of all ages all over the world. Bravo!
Absolutely, Ricky! Totally agree.
Ride With Norman Reedus.
Streaming on
Running Cool from 1993 starring James Gammon, Andrew Divoff, and DeeDee Pfeiffer. Kinda cheesy but absolutely cool!
“Hell Ride” Dennis Hopper, Mike Madsen, Larry Bishop, David Carradine among others. It’s a realistic m/c movie, I don’t think there will be any disappointments. That’s HELL RIDE a Quentin Tarantino film, rated R.
man in station wagon to motorcyclist sitting at the red light next to him ” where you headed? man on motorcycles says wherever the road takes me. the man in the station wagon says wish I was you.
remember this?
wish I was you.
Full Dresser was a good one.
When I was a kid, just getting into motorcycles , I was hungry to see any movie about motorcycles I could find. LITTLE FAUSS AND BIG HALSEY, was one I found.
Aw guys! STONE COLD, come on.
And let’s not forget Then Came Bronson for solo riding enthusiasts.
C.C. & company. An older movie that starred Joe Namath, William Smith, and Ann Margaret.
what about Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man.
“Then Came Bronson” is what started it all for me.
Another oldie but goodie!
and me too !! i was in part of the filmìng in Chandler, Az. @the time. Bonnie B. was a doll !
All good, but by far Easy Rider is number one! Whenever you ask people about a motorcycle movie the first mention is Easy rider. Even if they don’t ride.
what about Hells Angels forever yupyup affa
21 Days Under The Sky, great old school movie not cheesy kinda of a documentary but a cool 1
Cycles South is a great documentary but hard to find ! About friends who go from Denver to the Panama canal on dirt bikes .
The Bikeriders is an awesome movie. It’s the newest of them all, in my opinion the very best of them all.
I can’t believe nobody mentioned The hard Ride.
1953 The Wild One with Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin! classic!
Wild Angels, Hells Angels on wheels, SOA, Mayans, and of Course Easy Rider!
All classics!
Silver Dream Racer. British motorcycle racer (David Essex) rivals an American hotshot (Beau Bridges) with his brother’s 500cc prototype.
Seriously! The original “Mad Max”. Who didn’t want a Kz after that. Or a car with a blower for that matter
there are two movies that have the same title one was made 1991 with James Stamos the other was made in 2011 with Casper Van Dien. both movies were entitled Born to Ride. both movies for excellent movies to watch
What about Wild Angels 1966. Peter Fonda & Nancy Sinatra?
Beyond The Law. Starring Charlie Sheen as a undercover cop that joins a motorcycle gang. It’s a really good older movie
On Any Sunday II seems to be the disrespected stepchild to the original but I have to watch it every few years. It covers the next great golden era of motorcycling. I love the interviews with King Kenny and Bob Hannah where Roberts says “I don’t have to take their trophy and Hannah gives all the reasons for not going to Europe, like “the food’s good here.” It has our only American world trials champion, Bernie Schreiber. And it has America’s favorite rider, the late great Malcolm Smith. It’s great fun and takes us back to the 1970’s when so many Americans learned to ride.