Tom Cruise: The Ultimate Motorcycle Action Star
From Hollywood Screens to High-Speed Thrills on Two Wheels
Few Hollywood stars are as committed to performing their own stunts as Tom Cruise. He is not just an actor—he’s an action icon who thrives on pushing the limits of physical performance. And when it comes to motorcycles, Cruise has taken stunt riding to a whole new level.
From the legendary Top Gun movies to jaw-dropping high-speed chases in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Cruise has demonstrated remarkable riding skills that have left audiences breathless. But his passion for motorcycles goes far beyond the movie set—he’s a dedicated rider in real life, with an impressive collection of high-performance bikes.
From the Kawasaki GPZ900R to the Ninja H2: A Legacy in Top Gun#
When Top Gun (1986) first hit the big screen, one of the most memorable moments wasn’t just about fighter jets—it was Tom Cruise racing down the runway on his Kawasaki GPZ900R. The GPZ900R, often considered the first-ever true superbike, was the perfect fit for Cruise’s character, Maverick, a fearless fighter pilot with a need for speed.
Decades later, in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), Cruise paid tribute to the original by bringing back the GPZ900R in a nostalgic scene. But he also introduced a modern beast: the Kawasaki Ninja H2.
The Ninja H2 is no ordinary motorcycle—it’s one of the fastest production bikes in the world, featuring a supercharged inline-four engine capable of reaching speeds over 330 km/h (205 mph). This machine is as close as you can get to riding a jet on two wheels, making it the perfect modern-day counterpart to Maverick’s high-speed lifestyle.
Fearless Riding in Mission: Impossible
If Top Gun made Tom Cruise a motorcycle icon, the Mission: Impossible series solidified him as one of the most fearless riders in Hollywood. While most actors rely on stunt doubles, Cruise takes motorcycle stunts to the extreme—doing them himself with no shortcuts.
Racing Through Paris Without a Helmet
One of his most talked-about motorcycle sequences comes from Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), where Cruise performs a high-speed chase through the streets of Paris. The scene features him:
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Weaving through chaotic traffic at full speed
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Drifting around corners with millimeter precision
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Riding against oncoming cars in one of the busiest cities in the world
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Doing it all without a helmet, making the scene even more intense
Filming this scene was incredibly dangerous, as it was shot in real traffic without CGI. According to the film’s director, Christopher McQuarrie, Cruise’s precision riding was so impressive that they were able to capture the entire sequence in just a few takes.
High-Speed Action in Morocco
In Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), Cruise took his skills to desert highways in Morocco, where he performed a breathtaking motorcycle chase at speeds exceeding 160 km/h (100 mph). One of the most stunning shots shows Cruise taking a corner at an extreme lean angle, his knee nearly grazing the pavement—without any protective gear.
The sequence was so intense that even professional riders were shocked by Cruise’s ability to control the bike at such high speeds.
A Passion for Motorcycles Off-Screen
Cruise’s love for motorcycles doesn’t end when the cameras stop rolling. In his private life, he has built an impressive collection of motorcycles, including:
ποΈ Ducati Desmosedici RR – One of the rarest and fastest Ducatis ever made
ποΈ BMW S1000RR – A high-performance superbike known for its blistering speed
ποΈ Harley-Davidson V-Rod – A classic American cruiser with a powerful engine
He has also been spotted riding everything from vintage Triumph Bonnevilles to custom-made bikes designed specifically for him.
But Cruise’s passion for motorcycles isn’t just about owning them—it’s about riding them to their limits. In 2024, he stunned audiences at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony by executing a live stunt where he:
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Rappelled from the Stade de France roof
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Jumped onto a motorcycle and sped through the streets of Paris
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Boarded a plane to Los Angeles and skydived onto another stage
At 62 years old, Cruise continues to defy expectations, proving that his passion for speed, adrenaline, and motorcycles is stronger than ever.
Watch Tom Cruiseβs Most Insane Motorcycle Stunts!#
Want to see Tom Cruise in action? Check out this incredible behind-the-scenes video where he performs his own motorcycle stunts—no CGI, no stunt doubles, just pure skill and adrenaline:
βΆοΈ Mission: Impossible - Tom Cruise’s INSANE Motorcycle Stunts
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