Movie: Cycles South

[Rogue]

I streamed this movie on Netflix last night.  

It’s about three guys who ride their “adventure bikes” from Denver all the way to the tip of Panama.  A few things stood out about this film.

First, it’s a sort of reality show set in 1971.  It’s not quite a movie with a story line, but it’s just about the adventures of three, young, fairly innocent guys from Main Street, USA.  Second, they are NOT riding Harleys but actually started out riding bikes similar to the early Dual Sport bikes.  Later they trade their bikes in for Kawasaki 175 cc 2-stroke.  Third, there is a lot of footage of off road, cross country riding and road riding.  They really did ride their bikes all the way down there with only a rucksack on the back seat!  

The film goes through the adventures and mis-adventures of the three amigos, both motorcycle related and other stuff young guys do when time means nothing.  They camp most of the time.  They also ride without ATGATT most of the time, especially south of the border.  There isn’t a lot of dialogue, but there is a lot of narration by the storyteller.  There is no drama, and has a lot of humor that only guys will understand and find funny.  

It was filmed in 1971 but lots of the stuff they do many of us can relate to.  It really gives you a perspective of the innocence and carefree days of motorcycling.  The film holds nothing back for political correctness and doesn’t skimp on the actual riding footage so it’s really fun to watch.  It’s not filled with endless babbling from the characters about the drama or other BS that characterizes today’s reality style shows.  Thank god.  It’s worth 1.5 hours of your time.  Really it is!

[BashamR6S]

It's in my instant Que! I'll check it.

[DogBoy]

Nothing can top the promo video for Mondo Enduro!

[stromgal]

^       Thanks for the tip on Cycle South; queued.

[spd2918]

I watching Cycles South the other night.  It was a lot of fun- especially the typical 70's themes.

[NoDak]

I just watched this movie.  It was great!  Not politically correct but a very good flick.

[Rogue]

Correction.  They only rode to Panama (not tip of S.A.).

It's too bad they didn't show too much of the jungle riding scene.  These guys throttle up FIRST before thinking.    Ah yes!  To be young and naive is sometimes a wonderful thing.

These guys make ST.net's so called "sport-tourers" look like a bunch of pussies!  

No GPS.
No ABS.
No Heated Grips.
No fairing or windshield of ANY kind.
No waterproof gear.
Oh and, 175 cc's!  

Hah!  

[Orson]

to go soothingly, the best thing anyone can do is to place their GPS in the roadway, then stand back and wait for oncoming traffic to crush it into tiny, little pieces.

then tootle your horn with vigor while exclaiming, "HEY! HEY!"

[Jesse]

It is indeed a fun movie - if you watch it you'll probably find yourself going back. I watched it last year sometime and looked at it again a few weeks ago: it was just as fresh and fun to watch as the first time around.

Brings back fond memories of my early biking days on BSAs and Triumphs when you never left home without enough tools for a roadside repair. I still like to pack the tools but I love not having to use them!