Today’s article concerns the Top Ten Best Bikes Used in Mad Max Movie Series. The latest Mad Max film will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 24th May. Since the Max in question doesn’t appear in “Furiosa – A Mad Max Saga,” it’s technically not a Mad Max movie. But ignore that; It checks all the boxes in every other way — post-apocalyptic backdrop, tons of crazy vehicles and bikes, directed by George Miller.
It is a prequel to the previous installment, “Mad Max Fury Road,” which came out in 2015. It tells the “origin story” of Friosa, a rebel warrior, before her alliance with Mad Max (played by Tom Hardy). This time, Chris Hemsworth played the role of Dr. Dementus, the leader of a crazy biker gang, and Anya Taylor-Joy played the teenage Furiosa.
Additionally, it claims to have as many crazy bikes and stunts as the first episode of Mad Max, which dates back to 1979. It is the fifth and latest installment in the franchise. In light of all that, below is our pick of the most fantastic Mad Max motorcycles throughout the franchise’s history, in chronological order.
Top Ten Best Bikes Used in Mad Max Movie Series – Top Rated
1. Mad Max (1979) Goose’s KZ1000
Although Mad Max had a low budget (only $350,000), the Australian production made Mel Gibson a star and one of the most famous and influential biker films of all time, with its vision of a futuristic wasteland dominated by criminal bikers. It became one and spawned several sequels. Star Max drives a car, but Jim Goes, his police partner on the Main Force Patrol (MFP), drives a motorcycle and stars in the film.
The base was a 1977 Kawasaki 1000 supplied by Kawasaki Australia, a Melbourne-based company known for its Cafe Racer fairing and tail sculpting by La Parisien, complete with Lester mags. Since then, numerous replicas have been built because the bike is so popular.
2. Mad Max (1979) Toecutter’s Kawa
The main antagonist of the first film is “Two Cutters,” the leader of a band of criminal bikers who drive a black Z1000 with a La Parisian fairing similar to Goose (above). According to reports, La Parisienne modified 13 bikes for the film.
The Vigilantes, a local motorcycle club in Victoria, sent out a local advertisement that attracted members, and these members played gangs. Hugh Keyes Bryan first rose to fame in the biker film “Stone” and played the main antagonist, Immortal Joe, in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Toktor 2020 saw his demise.
Fun fact: Keys-Byrne, already a skilled rider, chose to “get into character” by riding 550 miles from Sydney to Melbourne with a few friends while dressing up for her 1979 role. What!
3. Mad Max (1979) Goose’s KH250
Up next in the list of Top Ten Best Bikes Used in Mad Max Movie Series we have Mad Max (1979) Goose’s KH250. Although almost every bike in Mad Max was a Z1000 because Kawasaki Australia supplied ten machines for film production, there are occasional outtakes.
One of the most memorable scenes occurs early in the film when an injured “goose” is seen riding his typical MFP pursuit bike on a lightweight 1976 Kawasaki KH250 two-stroke triple from the police station. He is seen using crutches.
4. Mad Max 2 (1981) – The Road Warrior Wez’s Kawa
Due to the first film’s popularity, a big-budget sequel was released in 1981 with a significantly more apocalyptic film and automobile set. Sadly, there are also fewer bikes here. Still, one sticks out. Lord Hummings, head of the Marauders’ gang, is the main antagonist this time, but Wiz, played by Vernon Wells, is his most trusted lieutenant.
Wez’s Craig Vetter-equipped Z1000, inspired by the then-new Suzuki Katana, was as unique as Wez himself with its mohawk and chops. Funny aside: In the 1985 Kelly LeBrock film Weird Science, Welles returned to his Whiz persona surprisingly awkwardly.
5. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Charlize gets on a bike, too
Despite the absence of motorcycles in the third film in the series, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), which also featured Gibson’s final performance as Max, they more than made up for it in Miller’s belated return in 2015. The Road is dubbed a “Mad Max” movie, with Charlize Theron’s skinhead alpha female character Imperator Furiosa — complete with a bionic arm — the film’s true hero.
His story revolves around his journey back to his homeland, in which an 18-wheeler drives through a post-apocalyptic desert and rescues enslaved women along the way. Oh, and she also rides a BMW bike. Although only momentarily.
6. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Max’s R1
Despite not riding a bike in the first three Mad Max films — he’s primarily known for his custom Ford Falcon police interceptor — Max briefly rides one in Fury Road. Production designer Colin Gibson is said to have designed 150 bikes and cars for the film, which was shot mainly in the deserts of Namibia.
These include several Yamaha R1s and YZ250s, many of which have extended swing arms similar to those seen on American hill climbs. Star Tom Hardy is briefly seen riding one of the former. Although the British rider is now skilled, the bike was rigid to handle in 2015 when he was a beginner, so his “ride” was done via a body double.
7. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) The Rock Riders
Bikes are a big part of Fury Road despite being dwarfed by cars and trucks. The Rock Riders are a prominent gang on Fury Road. He prefers to ride custom dirt bikes, such as the Yam YZ, and he uses these bikes in one of the film’s most exciting scenes.
Leading freestyle coach Stephen Gall, a five-time Australian MX champion, was brought in by stunt coordinator Guy Norris to deliver the action. Norris said, “We wanted to create action that has never been seen before, and Stephen is up to date with the best freestylers and motocross racers in the world.” And his people went ahead with the film. It was incredible.
8. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) The Vuvalini
Up next in the list of Top Ten Best Bikes Used in Mad Max Movie Series, we have Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) The Vuvalini. “We’ve wrapped some feminine details and gypsy styling around a leather seat from a repurposed Harley or BMW to give you the ultimate thrill on your last ride,” said production designer Colin Gibson. The Vovalini, a clan of older warrior women (led by Megan Gale as “The Valkyrie”), ride into battle on modified bikes to wreak havoc in Fury Road with explosive spears and guns.
9. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024): Dr Dementus’ radial chopper
Since we haven’t seen the movie — it hasn’t been released yet, oops — we can’t be positive. However, trailers and some promotions have been spotted that still feature some of the bikes, and it looks like we’re in for a treat. One is this futuristic, radial-engined helicopter piloted by co-star Chris Hemsworth’s anti-hero Dr. Dementus. Little is known about it.
Slightly modified, it is one of only six JRL Cycles “REM” (Radial Engine Motorcycle) models from 20 years ago. It is powered by a 2800cc radial seven-cylinder Rotec R2800 aero engine, which was purchased specifically for the film’s production.
10. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024): Dr Dementus’ R18-powered chariot
In addition to the radial chopper, Hemsworth’s character in Furiosa is said to drive a crazy motorcycle-powered chariot that uses not one, not two, but three BMW R18s. A range of customized BMWs appear in the latest film, and BMW has officially acknowledged its involvement in the production. Aside from powering the Boxer Mini we’ve seen lately, perhaps the slow-selling R18 is finally applicable.
Top Ten Best Bikes Used in Mad Max Movie Series – Top List
Sr. # | Top Ten Best Bikes Used in Mad Max Movies Series |
---|---|
1 | Mad Max (1979) Goose’s KZ1000 |
2 | Mad Max (1979) Toecutter’s Kawa |
3 | Mad Max (1979) Goose’s KH250 |
4 | Mad Max 2 (1981) – The Road Warrior Wez’s Kawa |
5 | Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Charlize gets on a bike, too |
6 | Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Max’s R1 |
7 | Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) The Rock Riders |
8 | Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) The Vuvalini |
9 | Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024): Dr Dementus’ radial chopper |
10 | Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024): Dr Dementus’ R18-powered chariot |