Best Movie Love Stories Between People, and Their Motorcycle

Is There a Better Story Than One Between Someone and Their Bike?

The cinema is full of love stories. Generally between two people, but often the better story is between a person and their bike. Occasionally Hollywood releases that and produces one just for us. So to celebrate Valentine’s Day, here are our favorite films that tell the tale of a person and their motorcycle.

The World’s Fastest Indian

The true story of Burt Munro,  a legendary New Zealander who in the 50s and 60s broke several land speed records on his modified Indian Scout motorcycle. This 2005 film stars Anthony Hopkins as Munro. The 1920 Indian Scout portrayed in the film started life as a 600 cc motorcycle with a designed top speed of 55 mph. Munro’s streamlined record-setter was substantially modified; with capacity being increased to 950 cc, and a recorded speed of 205 mph. If that isn’t giving a motorcycle all the love you have, I don’t know what is.

Roadside Prophets

The 90s brought us a flood of independent movies. It was difficult to keep up. This is one that if you missed, it’s time to finally discover. Joe Moseley (X front man John Doe) heads out on his vintage Harley Davidson to scatter the ashes of his co-worker. During his trip he meets Sam (the Beastie Boys’ Adam Horovitz), a wannabe biker who joins him on his trek through the desert, Joe and Sam meet various eccentric characters played by the likes of David Carradine, John Cusack, Timothy Leary, and Arlo Guthrie. They eventually end up at their destination which is an area that many of us have rode through and even stayed, Jackpot NV. Beyond the love for Motorcycles in this film, the camaraderie between bikes flows heavy in this film.

The Wild One

This 1953 film first brought attention to the motorcycle culture in America. It was based on a short story about a motorcycle rally that got out of hand on Fourth of July weekend in 1947 in Hollister, California. But those who ride see so much more. We’re introduced to the character Johnny Strabler (Marlon Brando), whose persona became an icon to many who rode starting in the 1950s and throughout today. Strabler rode a 1950 Triumph Thunderbird 6T. That bike inspired James Dean to purchase a Triumph TR5 Trophy motorcycle. Hundreds more went out and purchased motorcycles after its released. Because of this film, many of us ride today.

Easy Rider

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper play Captain America and Billy, journeying cross-country on their motorcycles, using a drug deal in Los Angeles to finance a trip to Mardi Gras. It’s a journey on Motorcycles that quickly become additional characters of the film. The 1962 1200 cc Harley Davidson they rode in the film can be drawn by memory by most of us. When you can’t be on your bike, watching this movie is almost the same thing. It’s more than a love story between them, it a love story involving all of us who know what it’s like to be free on a bike. We all see a part of us in these characters, and it’s the best part.