Why We Ride (2013) Reviews

• Not since On Any Sunday has a film captured the heart and soul of moto-life

  degraciaj2013-10-18

  I just saw the 2nd ever screening of Why We Ride at the 2013 AIMExpo in Orlando, FL. Been riding motorcycles since 1988 and this film captured the varied reasons, emotions and images that have made me a 2-wheel fanatic/addict. The film covers the unique American experience of moto- culture and its history. The interview excerpts, historic images/footage and bespoke footage are edited so well that the stories are riveting. Truly historic figures and events in the evolution of motorcycling are featured and watching it on the big screen with an almost IMAX-grade sound system made you feel as if you were on and in the rides and races. I was so glad that I rode my 1199 Panigale to the event, because I wanted to ride so badly after seeing this! If you have even a passing interest in motorcycles, you owe it to yourself to watch this film. Bring a non- believer with you, the film is so strong it just might make them a convert!

• the answer to the addiction to motorcycles

  othman-raddadi-254-3977922013-12-18

  I do ride, yet I was very skeptic of this movie when a friend proposed a screening of the DVD at his place, I mean don't get me wrong any motorcycle movie to a rider is welcome, but we grew a bit wary of recent motorcycle movies composed of video clips of high jumps and silly interviews... but this one was different, it brought me shivers in my bones, butterflies in my stomach and tears to my eyes then, made me realize how fortunate I am to have found my true passion the minute I bought my first motorcycle 10 years ago, along with the joy and pride of belonging to the purest and most genuine fraternities out there! while other still searching... if you ride, you must watch it, if you don't, please give it a try, it might get across the answers to all non believers to their question, why do we ride?! the two wheel business is more elaborate, popular, and keep growing, despite its factual limitations and dangers! I truly think this movie explain why! I gave it a 9 because it did not try to elaborate the idea from current professional perspective (current moto GP and motocross champions) and why they stick to it despite the enormous pressure (believe me the money is just half the answer) but again, maybe the director wanted us to see it through the eyes of the ordinaries like most of us, so we can relate more to it!

• From a rider's point of view

  dallas_nyberg2014-03-04

  If you are looking for a documentary about outlaw motorcycle gangs and all things associated with that side of motorcycling, then this documentary is not for you. What this it is, is a look at the wide variety of ordinary folk who happen to ride bikes. From two year old kids to folk approaching old age. Off roaders, hillclimbers, track racers, drag racers, land speed racers and people who just hit the highway and ride. Beautifully shot motorcycling scenes, intersected with comments and anecdotes from a broad range of riders. I ride a bike, so this movie just fortified my thoughts on why I choose to ride. If you do not ride a motorcycle, but are just a slight bit curious as to what all the fuss is about and as to why there are so many bikes out there, then watch this movie.. it will broaden your horizons and, quite possibly, convert you. One thing is for certain, there are several characters in this movie that you won't soon forget. In particular, a double amputee, who, instead of giving up, decided to ride a converted Harley Davidson on a tour of the World. Truly amazing. This is a nicely put together documentary and well worth a look.

• Stellar.

  chelu19832013-12-19

  This film was done in such a moving way. It reminds you of all the reasons why you ride. Why being on 2 wheels is like music being played on the road, dirt, so on and so forth. Before my wife started riding I use to tell her to watch as we go into turns during group rides so she could see the bikes work one after the other as they lean in and lean out and how amazing it was to see that. I think the only reason that individuals don't love to ride is because they haven't tried it. People put such labels on motorcycle enthusiasts when in reality this our free therapy! They don't realize how freeing it can truly be. They don't realize how unbelievably nice the motorcycle community really is. The interviews the footage shot the quotes the age range was all great! I would highly recommend this to all riders and nonriders!

• Gorgeous, but slightly limited

  EricRShelton2014-08-02

  This is one of the single prettiest films a gear-head can watch. The shots, the lighting, the composure... I don't think I've ever seen another movie that can justify so much slow-motion, but it really is well done here to allow the viewer to take in everything about the shot. My only complaint is that it's strictly about motorcycling in America. There are a few shots of BMWs, Ducatis, Triumphs, and Vincents, but that's about it. MotoGP only gets talked about very briefly, as if the filmmakers knew they had to acknowledge it, but couldn't get anybody from MotoGP to participate or didn't care to. They also didn't talk about World Superbike. It's almost all dirt bikes and big, gaudy, chromed cruisers. I almost turned it off during some of the cruiser parts, but the interviewees had good stories, the editing kept me interested, and the parts focused on Bonneville and kids riding was really great. Recommended viewing for American motorcyclists, but there's a whole wide world of riders out there that may find this to be take-it-or-leave-it.