Motorcycles in Terminator 2: Beyond The Harley Fat Boy

The Terminator 2: Judgement Day was released in 1991 in theatres, and it brought more than just action and thrills. The movie featured one of the most legendary Hollywood motorbikes. Many H-D fans are only interested in having a glimpse of their most loved bike in the movie. However, the story of the bikes in the film is much deeper. We shall venture into the entire story of the motorcycles used in one of the most epic movies of all time, The Terminator 2.

The initial encounter with the T-800 (the main character of the movie), in Terminator 2, is when the T-800 is searching for two things: a bike and clothes that fit. This takes him to a bar where he sweeps past the bikes. It is then that he notices his prize: a 1991 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.

The cold and killer persona of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2 could not find a better match than the Fat Boy. It was not just any bike; it was raw power in a piece of steel, just like the T-800 itself. The 1991 Fat Boy model had a 1,337 cc V-Twin engine. It produced 49 hp of horsepower. Thus, making it reach a top speed of 92 mph. The Softail frame was tough and could support the charm of a strong actor and character.

The selection of the H-D Fat Boy in Terminator 2 was for a reason. In Terminator 1, the T-800 was riding a Honda bike. In Terminator 2, he was filmed riding an American-made Harley. It showed how he changed from a cold robot into a hero who would rescue mankind. The motorbike was as much of a legend as Anrold was.

The Fat Boy used in Terminator 2 was painted black with red pin-stripes on the edges. The shiny chrome trim in the sun made it look more ruthless. It had a custom shotgun holder attached to the side, which was a great idea for quick action shots. The motorbike was 657 lbs heavy, but appeared mean and rough. The message was clear when Arnold got on it: all power, all style, and all danger in one.

Here’s where things get wild. A scene in the second part of the Terminator series made the movie iconic. The T-800 and John Connor flee a tow truck on the back of the Harley up a hill and fly over a chasm. It was just 10 seconds on screen, but it took much longer to shoot this jump.

Director James Cameron desired to do something different at that time. He demanded that a genuine 780 lbs Harley should actually jump. This was not safe. This was not normal. But it was Cameron who challenged his team to do the magic.

A stunt double portrayed Arnold, Peter Kent, in that iconic jump scene in Terminator 2. The arrangement was quite confirming. A steel cable 200 meters long was suspended between two heavy cranes. This cable was hooked to a spreader bar that was attached to the bike. A truck pulled the bike at 35 mph at full speed off a cliff. The motorcycle flew 85 feet into the air, then was caught by cables and lowered to the concrete below.

It appears on the screen that the bike is flying over the divide in a single arc. As a matter of fact, it took 18-20 takes to achieve the ideal shot. Stone was scraped together with metal. The bike appeared strong and grimy. Peter Kent himself was going to give it a try, and Cameron believed in him and his ability.

The leap also brought about certain problems. During one of the takes, Kent lost control of the bike and landed on a camera rig. Cameras flew and crew members scattered. However, that footage wasn’t used. It was the most discussed motorcycle stunt in the history of the films when it finally worked.

The original H-D Fat Boy used in many stunt scenes in the Terminator 2 movie sat for years. In 2018, the bike went to auction. Fans and collectors bid hard. Finally, the iconic Terminator 2 bike was sold at a price of $480,000. This is true! Almost half a million dollars for a Fat Boy used in Arnold’s movie. This shows how significant this motorbike was to the fans worldwide.

Where Arnold rode a huge Harley Fat Boy in Terminator 2: Judgement Day, young Hon Connor rode a Honda XR80 dirt bike. This was a light and fast off-road bike. It enabled the character of Edward Furlong to travel at high speed through the LA River and dodge through narrow places. In certain scenes, adult stunt doubles, who were taller and heavier, used the XR100.

The most exciting pursuit in the movie occurs in the deserted riverbed of LA. John is riding his small Honda XR, and the T-1000 is following him in a massive tow truck. It is a sharp contrast; one is riding a small Honda XR80 dirt bike, and the villain is driving a giant metal monster. The sound of the dirt bike was also dubbed with 2-stroke engine sounds to make it appear rougher and wild.

The T-800 (Arnold) finally appears on his Harley Fat Boy to rescue John. He drags John on the back of the bike in a smooth motion. John then rides with the T-800 on a heavier, more powerful machine. The Harley Fat Boy roars as they get away from the truck. The little dirt bike couldn't handle the power, and the Harley's power came to the rescue.