The Portrayal and Influence of Motorcycles in Movies, Music, and Literature

What comes to mind when you think of a motorcycle? 

Your own bike aside, maybe it’s a great scene from a movie or a music video: a rebellious hero riding off into the distance, savouring their freedom and independence. Motorbikes have many connotations (some well-deserved, some perhaps less so), but one thing is for sure: they’re everywhere in movies, music, and books, lending their associations to all kinds of characters and stories. 

Let’s take a look at some classic motorcycle moments and mentions in movies, music, and books.

Movies

Motorcycles are arguably the main character in a lot of action movie moments, from chase scenes throughout the James Bond, Mission Impossible, and Indiana Jones series to suspenseful stunts in Mad Max: Fury Road, The Matrix Reloaded, and Terminator 2. But let’s take a closer look at some of the other ways that motorcycles are portrayed in movies. 

Easy Rider 

Easy Rider follows anti-establishment duo Billy and Wyatt as they road trip across America. Their motorbikes are as much a part of their looks as their hair; a symbol of the counterculture. One of the best moments is the iconic campfire scene:

George: “Oh, they’re not scared of you. They’re scared of what you represent to ‘em.”

Billy: “Hey man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody who needs a haircut.”

George: “Oh no. What you represent to them is freedom.” 

The Great Escape

Steve McQueen, playing an American prisoner of war who attempts to escape from a German POW camp during World War II, steals a motorbike and makes for the German-Swiss border in an epic chase scene. Enough said. 

Roman Holiday

Bikes aren’t all high drama and heavy suspense. Case in point: the whimsical scene from Roman Holiday where Audrey Hepburn’s character speeds through the busy streets (and people) of Rome. 

Top Gun

From blazing down the road to “Danger Zone” while a fighter jet takes off in the background, to riding up in search of romance to “Take My Breath Away”, Tom Cruise’s motorbiking moments in Top Gun are perfectly paired with the 80’s soundtrack. 

John Wick: Chapter 3

Unstoppable hitman John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves) is chased through the streets and bridges of Brooklyn by a gang of sword-wielding motorbikers, who he manages to out-ride and narrowly shake off. This scene is made even better by the fact that Keanu Reeves is a huge motorcycle fan (he even co-founded a motorcycle company, ARCH Motorcycle).

Born to Ride

It’s all in the name. John Stamos plays a rebel biker facing an ultimatum: he can either go to prison or join the army and teach them how to ride motorcycles. He chooses the latter, so you know there are lots of great biking scenes (with mid-century vintage bikes to boot).  

Ghost Rider

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Nicholas Cage’s performance in the movies based on the Marvel comic books, about Johnny Blaze, a stunt biker who makes a deal with a demon. 

Music

Biker anthems abound, but if we had to choose? Here are our top five, in no particular order. We think the lyrics speak for themselves…

Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf 

“Get your motor runnin’

Head out on the highway

Looking for adventure

In whatever comes our way…”

Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi

“I’m a cowboy

On a steel horse I ride

I’m wanted dead or alive

Wanted dead or alive.“

Ride to Live, Live to Ride by Twisted Sister

“Hard roads and endless lines flow through his veins

Cold steel and hot fuel injected the dream that fills his brain

But no, not slow, the speed fever grows

He rides, he sees, he knows

You’ve got to ride to live, live to ride

Feel the flames burn inside

And though you know, you ride to hide

You ride to live to ride.”

Ride the Wind by Poison

“Ride the wind

Never coming back until I touch the midnight sun…”

Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf 

“I’m gonna hit the highway like a battering ram

On a silver black Phantom bike

Oh, when the metal is hot and the engine is hungry

And we’re all about to see the light…”

Books

Motorcycle writing spans multiple genres, from practical how-to guides and advice to philosophical musings to adventurous travelogues. The first category aside (there are too many to name here!), here are three great reads for any motorcycle enthusiast. 

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig 

Part philosophy, part fictionalized autobiography, this fascinating book follows a father-son motorbike journey and uses motorcycle maintenance as a metaphor for the exploration of different philosophical concepts. 

Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World by Elspeth Beard

On sabbatical from architecture school at the age of 23, Elspeth Beard decides to hit the road. Her memoir recounts the 35,000 miles she spent travelling alone by motorcycle, with many trials, tribulations and transformational experiences along the way. 

Long Way Round by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman

Yes, that Ewan McGregor wrote a book on motorbiking – specifically, a nearly 19,000-mile trip he and his friend Charley took from London to New York City on motorcycles. The absorbing read follows the duo and their support team on their journey through twelve different countries meeting all kinds of fascinating characters.

Every biker has a story of how they first decided to get on a motorcycle – and if we had to guess, at least a few of these movies, songs, and books have probably played at least a small role in some of those stories.