Top 8 Most Famous Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Movie Stars
Harley-Davidson motorcycles have appeared in more movies than one can count, but these are by far the most famous.
Harley-Davidson – as we’re all well aware – is an iconic company with a very long history. This is notable for a number of reasons, including the fact that, well, it isn’t easy to make it in the world of manufacturing, particularly for more than 100 years. Regardless, Harley’s long and rich history means that it’s full of iconic bikes, notable moments, plenty of ups and downs, and of course – famous movie bikes.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles have appeared in more movies than one could likely guess in a trivia contest, with some of those roles obviously notable, and others far more obscure. Thus, we’ve sifted through this rather large pile and come up with the eight most famous Harley-Davidson movie stars – listed in no particular order – and we’re betting that most – if not all – will probably look pretty familiar.
1990 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy – Terminator 2: Judgement Day
We’d be remiss without including the Fat Boy from Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which could very well make a case for being the most famous movie motorcycle of all. Heck, it’s by far the perfect match for Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s robotic character and chiseled physic. Throw in one of the most iconic chase scenes in any movie – involving a semi truck – and a seriously cool shotgun reloading sequence, and this one’s an easy pick.
1951 Harley-Davison Panhead – Easy Rider
Of course, we also can’t leave out Easy Rider, which is the movie that spawned an entire generation of Harley fans. One could also make the case that the Panhead ridden by Peter Fonda in the film is the quintessential Harley, and perhaps the most iconic build of all time. These days, everyone knows what “Captain America” – as it’s otherwise known – looks like, and that’s a testament to its enduring appeal.
Harley-Davidson Hydra Glide – The Wild One
Most will undoubtedly remember the Triumph ridden by the hero of The Wild One, but to us, the villain’s ride – a Hydra Glide – is more notable. With actor Lee Marvin at the controls and Marlon Brando playing a prominent role, watching two motorcycle gangs – Black Rebels Motorcycle Club and the Beetles – go at it is every bit as satisfying today as it was years ago.
Harley-Davidson XR 750 – On Any Sunday
On Any Sunday is technically a motorcycle racing documentary, but it’s one worth watching for Harley fans thanks to the presence of the dominant XR 750 flat track racer, which owned this type of motorsport for a number of years. There’s also an appearance by a road-going XRTT 750 as well, making this one worth watching for more reasons than one.
1986 Harley-Davidson FXR Super Glide – Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction is one of those movies that has so many memorable scenes and quotes that it’s easy to forget the fact that Bruce Willis rode a pretty sweet FXR Super Glide in the film, which he just so happened to have acquired illegally by stealing the key from a pawn shop. It only appeared in this singular scene, but the chopper named “Grace” is a sweet ride, regardless.
1989 Harley-Davidson FXR – Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man
Mickey Rourke was quite literally Harley-Davidson in this particular flick, riding an FXR alongside his counterpart, the Marlboro Man Don Johnson and his Honda. Harley-Davidson and the Marlboro Man was largely panned by critics and ignored by the masses when it released, but wound up becoming a cult favorite once it hit video, at least partially due to this cool ride.
Harley-Davidson Sportster – Escape From L.A.
Kurt Russell‘s character in Escape from L.A. – Snake Plissken – is one of the more famous cool movie guys of all time, and his fight sequence from the film involving a Sportster is also one of the coolest ever conceived. In fact, some fans later pieced together a video using nothing but footage from that scene, cementing this bike’s place in cool Harley movie history.
Harley-Davidson Softail – Machete
Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Softail that Danny Trejo rides in Machete, which is essentially nothing more than a slasher flick that started out as a fake movie trailer and turned into a big screen sensation. But then again, who wouldn’t want to mount a minigun to their handlebars? If nothing else, we imagine that it would keep the fast lane clear on the highway.
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