Rhys Lawrey sets to become the youngest person to go solo, around the globe, on a motorcycle. He rode nearly 57 thousand miles through 71 countries in 15 months. This motorcycle TV show is his accounting of that trip.
Along the way he also set a world record for the “Most Consecutive Capital Cities visited by Motorcycle”. Currently on Amazon Prime this 15 episodes show (which Amazon compresses into one 3 hour viewing) was, at times, very interesting and at other time quite slow. I think a bit tighter editing would have made things a lot better.
I watched most of this TV series during flights to and from Denver CO. Overall it was entertaining enough to keep my interests even during the slow parts. I am giving it 3 stars; I genuinely believe it could have been improved with better editing.
This year’s list of motorcycle movies, or TV shows, has some oldies and some independent films. These are all films that I think should help you though winter sparked PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome).
Have some films to recommend? Add your list in the comments section!
Speed is My Need – I have not yet reviewed this movie, but it is interesting. The film follows Leon Haslam through two racing season and the associated high and lows. It took be a while after watching but, I decided this film was as much as a sports psychology film as a film about motorcycle racing.
Long Way Up – Another Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman documentary expedition. On this film they ride 13,000 miles from South America to Los Angeles on electric motorcycles. It is on Apple TV and I have not yet seen the film as I refuse to pay for another streaming service. I recommend it based on their other films.
Electra Glide in Blue – A story of an Arizona motorcycle cop that is assigned to investigate a murder. This film is 100% 1970s ethos, with the hero’s disillusionment as a goal. I enjoyed the movie; it is something for you to watch on a cold winter weekend.
Bennett’s War – Bennett’s War story opens with two soldiers parachuting into an unknown location along with a couple crates. Turns out there are, what appears to be electric, adventure style, motorcycles in the crates. They had me hooked right there, fictional as hell, but hooked. You can check by 4-Star Review here.
Being Evel – “A generation of Americans grew up worshipping self-styled hero Evel Knievel–watching him every Saturday on Wide World of Sports and buying his Ideal toys. But few knew the incredible and often complex aspects of his epic life, which, like his jumps, was sometimes glorious and sometimes disastrous.” That about sums up the entire movie! You can read my review of the film here.
Ghost Rider – Ok… spit balls welcome! But I like this movie, and the motorcycle scenes were well done. If you know the comic book you know the story. If you do not know the comic you know the story, “man sells soul to the devil and things don’t go well”.
Never Ride Alone – Not only did he ride his dirt bike alone Scott Englund also was the star, director, editor, cameraman, narrator, and everything else. For a one man project this film turned out wonderfully. I give it a 5-Star review.
The Flying Dutchmen – a touching story about how Jonathan Helmuth created an extraordinary experience for a man that had been friend, mentor, and large part of his life. His friend Daryl Zook is going blind, and Jonathan wants to fulfill Daryl’s desire to take a 3000-mile motorcycle trip from Daryl’s home in Indiana to the Pacific Northwest coast. Daryl is more than a “bit” curmudgeonly and this leads to some humorous moments as well as some not so humorous. You can see my 4-Star review here.
Harley and the Davidsons – With literary licenses fully engaged, Discovery Channel tells the story of how Harley Davidson came to be. A fun show that you should find time to watch.
“The Top Gear hosts embark on a two-wheel road trip through South Dakota to the world’s largest automotive event, the annual Sturgis Bike Week. Starting out on scooters and needing to pass challenges to progress to the bigger bikes they’ll need to ride to fit in at the rally, the hosts go through hell as they close in on Sturgis. The winner will race a super-charged Ariel Atom against a 200 mph sports bike, while the loser will have to take part in a stunt, courtesy of HISTORY channel’s newest series, American Daredevils.”
While a lot of folks do not care for this version of the famous BBC show, I enjoy it. The biggest issue I have with the show is that Tanner (the professional racer) always wins the contest to drive the hot cars. Come on, I want to see one of the other guys wreck a $200,000 car!
This TV show has been around for a while and its fourth season is set to start on the 6th of November. It is presented on the Velocity Channel (part of the Discovery Network).
As the name implies Café Racer covers the bikes, builders and life style of the Café Bike scene. I have watch the show for the last two years and it is enjoyable. My favorite show was the one where they connected the café bike scene to pin-up girls!
I enjoy this show and my DVR is already set to record.
I discovered this show a few weeks ago and it is reasonably entertaining. These guys are not a gang but a Motorcycle Club of friends. History Channel says this about the show:
“Meet the Fugawis: an upstate New York motorcycle club whose members live life with a freedom and fraternity that many guys can only dream of. In an age when everyone is seeking to strike the perfect work-life balance, this group of bikers has somehow figured it out. Members of the club include expert builders, plumbers, electricians and general contractors, so when they’re not out in the wind on the open road they’re tackling construction projects of all shapes and sizes to earn a living”.
Not sure what this says about me but the Fugawis’ are the type of guys that I could hang out with. I give this show a 4 out 5!
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 