The Harley Davidson motorcycle is easily recognized by its signature orange and black logo, not to mention the rip-roaring sound. These machines are widely beloved for their quality and aesthetics.
It’s a common practice for brands to work with the film and television industry to place their products in stories and get them in front of larger audiences. Harley Davidson frequently employs this tactic, from action movies to comedies. The next time you see a motorcycle in a film, take a moment to look it up and see if it’s a Harley.
Let’s take a look at some unforgettable Harley Davidson movie appearances.
- Every Which Way But Loose – This 1978 film features Clint Eastwood in some high-powered action scenes that included the Harley Davidson motorcycles. Keep your eyes peeled for a very unique paint job on one of the sidecars belonging to the motorcycle gang.
- Wild Hogs – With John Travolta and Tim Allen, this comedy film features a bunch of regular Joes who do weekend motorcycling to escape their boring lives. To promote their brand, Harley Davidson provided the motorcycles for filming.
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show – This hilariously bizarre musical features a scene in which Eddie, played by Meat Loaf, rides out of a freezer on a Harley motorcycle.
- Heathers – A black teenager comedy, this 1989 film is a dark satire that features Winona Ryder. It’s a great contrast to the other uplifting (and often unrealistic) portrayals of high school life. Christian Slater plays Jason Dean who rides a Harley motorcycle, reeking of cool and decidedly evil.
Animal House – In one of the most well-known scenes from the film, Bruce McGill rides his Sportster up a set of stairs and causes a commotion. This scene inspired scads of young men to daydream about doing the same thing.