Tom Cruise and two wheels โ itโs a cinematic bromance for the ages! From soaring alongside fighter jets in โTop Gunโ to gravity-defying stunts in โMission: Impossible,โ Cruiseโs love for motorcycles has fueled some of the most iconic movie moments. Letโs ignite the throttle and revisit ten epic rides that cemented Cruiseโs status as Hollywoodโs ultimate biker badass (in reverse chronological order):
1. Kawasaki H2 in โTop Gun: Maverickโ (2022):
Maverick returns, and so does the legendary GPz900Rโs supercharged successor โ the H2. Not only does Cruise tear up the tarmac, but the original Ninja makes a nostalgic cameo, proving this love affair with speed endures.
2. Custom Honda CRF250 & BMW G310GS in โMission: Impossible โ Dead Reckoning Part Oneโ (2023):
Romeโs rooftops become Cruiseโs motocross playground on a tricked-out CRF250. And wait, thereโs more! A daring train chase on a police BMW G310GS leads to a jaw-dropping cliff jump with a parachute finish โ arguably the greatest movie bike stunt ever!
3. BMW R nineT Pure in โMission: Impossible โ Falloutโ (2018):
Parisian pandemonium unfolds as Cruise weaves through traffic on a sleek R nineT Pure, even defying the Arc de Triompheโs one-way street rule. Bonus points for Henry Cavillโs Triumph Speed Triple cameo and Rebecca Fergusonโs stunt double on a Tiger.
4. BMW S1000RR in โMission: Impossible โ Rogue Nationโ (2015):
Morocco becomes a high-octane playground as Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson (doubling by ex-BSB racer Jenny Tinmouth) engage in a breathtaking BMW S1000RR chase. Fun fact: the opening plane scene was shot near Peterborough, England!
5. Triumph Thruxton in โEdge of Tomorrowโ (2014):
Before reliving the same day over and over, Cruise rocks Londonโs streets on a classic Triumph Thruxton cafรฉ racer. Itโs a brief cameo, but the timeless style adds a cool factor to this sci-fi flick.
6. โHonda CRF450Xโ in โOblivionโ (2013):
This futuristic space thriller isnโt all spaceships and lasers. Cruiseโs character rides a high-tech โspace bikeโ rumored to be based on a modified Honda CRF450 motocrosser.
7. Ducati Hypermotard in โKnight and Dayโ (2010):
Cameron Diaz clings on as Cruise unleashes gravity-defying stunts on a Ducati Hypermotard in this action-comedy. Rumor has it some jumps were so intense, a disguised Aprilia Dorsoduro took over!
8. Triumph Bonneville in โMission: Impossible IIIโ (2006):
Though brief, Cruiseโs arrival on a knobbly-tired Triumph Bonneville Scrambler for a rendezvous adds a touch of motorcycle swagger to this spy thriller.
9. Triumph Speed Triple in โMission: Impossible IIโ (2000):
The Triumph Speed Triple T509 and Daytona 595 star in a wild bike chase, featuring ridiculous spins, stoppies, and jumps. One of the bikes ended up in Triumphโs museum!
10. Kawasaki GPz900R in โTop Gunโ (1986):
It all started here. Cruiseโs Maverick and his GPz900R became an iconic duo, riding alongside an F-14 jet and later whisking Kelly McGillis away. The legend lives on, even with a replica cameo in โMaverick.โ
So, buckle up, movie fans! With Tom Cruise in the driverโs seat and a motorcycle between his legs, weโre sure to witness many more heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping rides in the years to come.