The Bikeriders And Their Bikes: World Motorcycle Day 2024 Movie Release

Bikes as you see them now were not always timid, or on-your-face performance beasts. Baring the top-of-the-line modern, futuristic-looking tourers, and our off-late crush aka the adventure tourers – There was a time when motorcycling meant covering long distances in dusty, bagger motorcycles. And in the process, you would bond with other fellow motorcyclists on the go. Capturing this essence, and weaving a fictional story that is based on a true story is writer-director Jeff Nichols’ latest movie, “The Bikeriders”.

The movie is based on the photography book of the same name by Danny Lyon, which is regarded as one of the most important books capturing the bike culture of the 60s. The book follows the real-life Chicago Outlaw Motorcycle Club, which was infamous for its unlawful activities. The movie talks about this fictional outlaw motorcycle group that goes by the name of ‘Vandal Motorcycle Club’. It stars some pretty heavyweights including Tom Hardy (who also played Venom and Bane), and Austin Butler (known for playing Elvis Presley) riding some pretty special Harley-Davidson bikes in the movie. 

Originally scheduled for release last year in December, the movie got delayed due to the SAGA-AFTRA strike. ‘The Bikerider’ revolves around the rise of the Vandals MC. The movie is a narration from the member’s point of view. It traces the journey of how the motorcycle club grew in numbers over a decade from a family to a bunch of violent local outcasts. 

Reportedly, there were at least 40 vintage motorcycles used in the movie. And to quote Butler from one of the interviews, bringing the bikes to a halt was one of the biggest challenges in the set. All of them came with drum brakes, which by the ’60s were replaced by disc brakes because with the former type heat dissipation was a major issue. 

Speaking of the vintage bikes, one of the most famous vintage models that were used in the movie was the 1965 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide. Fun fact, this was the last model in H-D’s history to come fitted with a panhead engine, and the first H-D bike to feature an electric starter. Powering the H-D Electra Glide was a massive 1205 cc, V-twin engine that produces 58 bhp and 95 Nm. 

Another fascinating motorcycle that was used in the movie and was Norman Reedus’ ride was what the actor describes as a bit of ‘Frankenstein’ bike.  While, the original bike is unclear as to what it is, for it is a cluster of different bike parts from different timelines. While the front suspension was from a 40s bike, the V-twin engine was from a bike of the 70s, and the frame was from a bike that was carried over from a bike of the 50s. Moreover, it didn’t shift like a conventional. Instead, the bike has a 4-speed hand shifter, like you find in cars. 

To catch these examples being pushed to its limits (of course in a dramatic manner), ‘The Bikeriders’ will hit theatres in India on World Motorcycle Day, i.e. June 20. So, be prepared to catch a glimpse of motorcycling culture in the United States back in the ’60s-70s.