Hollywood Harleys: 10 Movies with Epic Motorcycle Chases

They may not be Hollywood’s finest, but these flicks are worth a watch for the truly memorable motorcycle action.

What makes a great motorcycle chase scene on film? Well, you’re going to need a super-cool bike, and that bike better be going fast. Then you add in a pursuit with high stakes and high pressure. A clever one liner? Yes. Sometimes it’s necessary to throw in random wheelies, jumps, and stunts. Maybe toss in some explosions or gunplay to add to the heat. Then, set all this action against some heart-pumping tunes. perhaps something from Guns N’ Roses. These are the hallmarks of motorcycle scenes that excel as creative, crazy, and a total thrill-ride. However, sometimes we find these scenes in movies that…well…aren’t exactly memorable. So, no, there’s no Steve McQueen or Peter Fonda on this list. But these ten often overlooked celluloid chases rise above as some of the best action scenes on two-wheels.

1. Stone Cold

The year is 1991. Eighties former football star Brian Bosworth (aka “The Boz”) is having a moment. So, Hollywood decides he needs a solid vehicle to showcase his talent. The result is Stone Cold. (True story: When we started asking around about great bike scenes in movies, three different writers mentioned Stone Cold.) Why? Because it’s as brilliant as it is cheesy. Boz plays a wild card, rogue cop who can’t play by the rules. Is there any other kind? He goes undercover to infiltrate a biker gang called The Brotherhood. His undercover name? John Stone…because, he’s stone cold, get it? The movie might be light on plot but it is heavy on motorcycle action. In his leather jacket, leather vest, and magnificent peroxide blonde mullet, Bosworth rides a Harley-Davidson FXSTC Softail custom-made for the movie. All while whooping ass and getting the bad guys. The chases include explosions, car crashes, gun play, a motorcycle crashing into a helicopter, and some truly epic Harleys. Here’s one particularly great chase scene. Let’s dance!

Hollywood Harleys: 10 Movies with Epic Motorcycle Chases continued…

S.J. Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.