Hunter S. Thompson tagged along with the Hell’s Angels outlaw motorcycle club to write a documentary on the subculture. He rode with them for a year until he got kicked out for suggesting a member not beat his wife. The iconic journalist published his experience in his book, “Hell’s Angels.”
In one passage, Thompson describes the exhilaration of flying atop a bike at top speed. “You can barely see a hundred; the tears blow back so fast that they vaporize before they get to your ears. The only sounds are the wind and the dull roar floating back from the mufflers.”
Dax Shepard
Crashing twice on the set of "CHiPs" didn’t stop Dax Shepard from performing his own stunts. Playing a California Highway Patrolman motorcycle officer, Shepard was in his element. He has been around bikes since he was a toddler and started riding dirt bikes when five. He stopped dirt biking after the time he hit some tree stumps and got launched.
He broke every tendon in his shoulder and lost part of his clavicle. But he loves motorcycles and has a collection that includes a Suzuki GSX-R1000 and three Ducatis—a Hypermotard, a Multistrada, and a Sport 1000 Monoposoto.
Tim Allen
In "Wild Hogs," Tim Allen had to learn how to ride a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. The massive bike was unwieldy, and he dropped the Hog several times. Costar John Travolta still teases him. Allen explained that he was used to Triumphs and lighter bikes. In the end, he learned to love the comfort of a touring bike and purchased a Brawler GT cruiser.
The exclusive bike was placed at the 2010 World Championship in Sturgis. It was hand-built by Dar Holdsworth and the Darwin Motorcycle team. Designed on an H-D FXR and powered by the trademark V-twin, it’s a rumbling yet cushy ride.
Adrian Brody
Adrian Brody was a teenager when he got his first bike. The Ninja ZX900 was the young Brody’s preferred mode of transportation. He upgraded to a Royal Enfield bike after he got to ride one through the backroads of India in "The Darjeeling Express."
The Oscar-winning actor nearly killed himself when he was flung off his Enfield head-first into the sidewalk. But when his buddy gifted him a Ducati Monster 900, the actor didn’t hesitate to hop back on.
Adrian Grenier
It was a good thing that "Entourage" star Adrian Grenier already knew how to handle a bike. Grenier mounted this Hog when his character had to navigate the beast for a shot at Urth Caffé in West Hollywood.
In real life, he likes getting around town on two wheels. But don’t call him a petrolhead; Grenier commandeers a USA-built Evolve 100% electric bike.