Iconic Movie Motorcycles

It was not my intention that there be two such similar motorcycles on this list. But there's no denying that the image of Marlon Brando on his Triumph embodies the rebelliousness of the fifties, and launched the career of the man who would play Col Kurtz and the Godfather. To be sure, the plot would not raise many eyebrows today. But to get an idea of the impact it had at the time, consider that it was banned in the UK from 1954 until 1967, when it was given a limited screening.

Brando plays Johnny Strabler, the leader of the Black Rebels Motorcycles club, and Lee Marvin his opposition - Chino, the leader of the innocuous sounding Beetles. The BRMC interrupt a motorcycle race and a member steals the runner-up trophy, which he later presents to Johnny. They then ride into Wrightsville, and proceed to annoy the inhabitants, in the way bikers are wont to do in the movies. Johnny tries to court the daughter of the local sheriff, which reveals some of his vulnerabilities, which bely his tough and careless exterior. The gang is about to leave when the Beetles show up, and a fight ensues between the two leaders (Johnny wins). As the story progresses, it focuses on both the relationship between Johnny and Kathie and the tension between the townspeople and the bikers.

In the movie, Brando and most of the BRMC ride British motorcycles, whereas Lee Marvin and the Beetles are on Harley Davidsons. Although the importer of Triumph into the USA at first objected to their use in the movie, it did end up being a marketing success. Brando rides his personal Thunderbird and although Marvin could not ride at the beginning of the movie, he quickly learned (so as not to be outshone by Brando) and even ended up competing in desert races (also on a Triumph, as it happens).