Movie props, especially in period dramas or films set in unique, often fictional worlds, can significantly impact the audience's immersion. This is especially true for films like "The Bikeriders," directed by Jeff Nichols and opening on June 21. Set in a transformative era for bike clubs, the film portrays the Chicago-based Vandals, who evolve from a club to a gang under the stern leadership of Johnny, played by Tom Hardy. Austin Butler stars as Benny, a young rider grappling with the gang's lifestyle and his personal desires—a classic struggle between love and duty.
The film, which also features Norman Reedus and Michael Shannon, has been praised for its authentic depiction of biking culture. Butler has further emphasized this authenticity by sharing his experience of riding a vintage Harley Davidson with drum brakes and recounting a memorable mishap.
During a rainy filming day, Butler faced a slippery road covered in dead leaves, leading to a dramatic crash. "I felt like I was riding on ice," he recalled. The bike fishtailed and eventually went down, but Butler managed to stay on his feet. "I was okay! But all I could think about was the bike," he said.
Focus Features, which is promoting the film, highlighted that about 40 vintage motorcycles were used in production, selected for their authenticity despite their varied rideability. Butler rode both a 1965 and a 1966 Harley Davidson Electra Glide, showing off the crash-damaged bike in a video while noting the minor repairs needed.
Reedus, known for his fervor for bikes, rode a Frankenbike—a mashup of a late '40s Springer front end, a 1950s frame, and a '70s motor. His enthusiasm for bikes, including his unique rubber ducky suicide clutch, reflects his deep passion for motorcycle culture.