Steve McQueen: The King of Cool and His Motorcycle Legacy
- Shasta Smith
- May 2
- 6 min read
Updated: May 7
You may have read articles similar to this many times over, but nostalgia is priceless...
Introduction: More Than a Movie Star
When you hear the name Steve McQueen, images of gritty anti-heroes, smoldering charisma, and 1960s Hollywood cool probably come to mind. But for many enthusiasts, it’s not just about the movies. It’s the rumble of a Triumph engine, the cloud of dust behind a Husqvarna, or the timeless silhouette of a man who made motorcycles an extension of his identity.
Steve McQueen wasn’t just a rider, he was a symbol of freedom, rebellion, and the sheer joy of two wheels. His legacy goes far beyond the silver screen. It lives on in the motorcycle community, through races, restorations, collector bikes, and the spirit of the ride.
Let’s take a journey through the motorcycle-centric legacy of the man they still call The King of Cool.
From the Streets to the Saddle: McQueen’s Early Love for Bikes
Born in 1930 in Beech Grove, Indiana, Steve McQueen didn’t have a charmed childhood. He was raised by his grandparents and drifted in and out of trouble as a teenager. But his introduction to motorcycles offered him something different, a sense of control, purpose, and thrill.
At just 12 years old, McQueen received his first bike, a used Indian. It didn’t matter that it barely ran. He tinkered, repaired, and rode it like it was a million-dollar machine. For McQueen, the mechanics were as intoxicating as the ride. That mechanical know-how and appreciation stayed with him for life.
Riding Between Takes: Motorcycles On and Off the Set
While McQueen is best known for films like Bullitt, The Great Escape, and Le Mans, many of his most iconic motorcycle moments happened offscreen.
But let’s talk about The Great Escape (1963) for a moment, the film that cemented McQueen as a motorcycle legend. Although his stunt double Bud Ekins performed the famous barbed-wire fence jump on a Triumph TR6 Trophy (disguised as a German bike), McQueen’s real-life riding skills were already well-known in Hollywood. He could have done the stunt himself, and reportedly did do many of the chase scenes.
McQueen insisted on doing as much riding as the studio would allow. Directors and producers often fought him on it, fearing for their investment, but his natural style made even scripted scenes feel raw and authentic.
Fun Fact: McQueen didn’t just ride in front of the camera. He famously raced incognito using the pseudonym “Harvey Mushman” to avoid Hollywood insurance issues.
Racing Royalty: McQueen in the Dirt
When he wasn’t filming, McQueen was riding or racing. He was especially drawn to desert racing, scrambles, and enduro competitions, where terrain was unforgiving and riders relied on grit as much as speed.
The International Six Days Trial (ISDT)
The ISDT was like the Olympics of motorcycle off-road racing. In 1964, McQueen, alongside his friend and stuntman Bud Ekins, represented the United States in East Germany. They were part of the first American team to ever compete in this elite event.
Though mechanical issues and crashes knocked the team out early, McQueen’s participation alone drew global attention to American riders and helped legitimize the U.S. on the international motorcycle scene.
The Elsinore Grand Prix
Another race close to McQueen’s heart was the Elsinore Grand Prix. This annual Southern California event was legendary in the 1960s and ’70s. McQueen not only raced it, but he also featured it in the 1971 documentary On Any Sunday, a film that many riders still consider a masterpiece. Directed by Bruce Brown (of The Endless Summer fame), the film captured the soul of riding, and McQueen’s role helped it reach mainstream audiences.
McQueen’s Favorite Rides: Triumph, Husqvarna, Indian, and More
Steve McQueen was loyal to several brands, but his favorites were Triumph and Husqvarna.
Triumph TR6 Trophy
This British bike, modified for off-road use, was a McQueen staple. It’s the one he rode in The Great Escape and often raced in events. Lightweight, fast, and reliable, it matched McQueen’s riding style perfectly.
Husqvarna 400 Cross
When McQueen wasn’t riding British iron, he was drawn to the Swedish Husqvarna 400 Cross, a sleek, powerful dirt bike. In one of the most iconic motorcycle images of all time (shot by Life Magazine in 1971), McQueen soars through the air on a Husky, helmetless and grinning.
Fun Fact: That very Husky sold at auction in 2011 for $144,500.
Indian Chief and Custom Builds
McQueen’s garage also included vintage Indians and several meticulously restored bikes. He was not just a rider; he was a true collector and historian. His estate included over 100 motorcycles, many of which are now museum pieces.
Preserving the Legacy: Collectors and Fans
McQueen’s motorcycles are hot commodities in the collector world. Bikes once owned or ridden by him can fetch six figures at auction. His legacy fuels an entire segment of the motorcycle restoration community, where builders aim to recreate the style and vibe of his personal fleet.
Motorcycle museums around the world, including the California Automobile Museum and The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, often feature McQueen-related exhibits. These displays offer glimpses into his personal bikes, memorabilia, and racing gear.
His impact also lives on in custom motorcycle culture. Builders today still look to McQueen for inspiration, whether they’re crafting desert sleds, vintage cafe racers, or minimalist tracker-style builds.
Steve McQueen’s Influence on Motorcycle Fashion and Attitude
It wasn’t just the bikes; it was how he rode them. McQueen exuded a rugged, effortless cool that resonated across generations.
He helped define the “desert rat” look: waxed canvas jackets, leather gloves, jeans, and beat-up boots. This utilitarian style still dominates modern motorcycle fashion.
Major brands like Belstaff, Barbour, and Triumph Motorcycles have released McQueen-inspired lines. His influence is so enduring that even people who don’t ride motorcycles often try to emulate his look.
Fun Fact: McQueen was once named The Best-Dressed Man in America by Esquire Magazine, despite (or perhaps because of) his signature scruffy, anti-fashion aesthetic.
Quotes That Ride With You
Steve McQueen wasn’t just a doer, he had a way with words, too. Here are a few of his most enduring motorcycle quotes:
“I’m not sure whether I’m an actor who races or a racer who acts.”
“Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.” - from Le Mans, but often attributed to McQueen himself.
“I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on Earth.”
These quotes reveal the soul of a man who found truth and freedom on two wheels.
Modern Tributes and Cultural Impact
Today, McQueen's image is a cornerstone of motorcycle branding, especially in lifestyle marketing. You’ll find him in everything from Ducati ads to retro-styled gear from small-batch brands.
Even The Great Escape scene has been reimagined, by everyone from BMW Motorrad to luxury watchmakers. But these tributes aren’t just nostalgia. They reflect the ongoing respect the riding community has for McQueen’s genuine passion for motorcycles.
Legacy Through His Family
McQueen’s son, Chad McQueen, followed in his father's tire tracks, racing cars and embracing motorsports. Grandson Steven R. McQueen (of The Vampire Diaries) also carries the family name in entertainment.
The McQueen estate continues to honor Steve’s legacy through licensed memorabilia, charity events, and collaborations with motorcycle builders and preservationists.
Why Riders Still Love Him
Ask a group of riders what Steve McQueen means to them, and you’ll hear some version of this:
“He was one of us.”
McQueen wasn’t a poser. He rode hard. He crashed. He got dirty. He was deeply involved in the mechanics and culture. And though he was a movie star, he never made motorcycling about ego. It was about the ride, and that’s something every rider understands.
Thoughts: What McQueen Teaches Us About Riding
Steve McQueen taught us that motorcycles are more than machines, they’re freedom, therapy, and adventure wrapped in steel and chrome.
Whether you're riding across the Mojave, restoring a '60s Triumph, or simply pulling on a waxed jacket and dreaming of the open road, you’re participating in a culture that McQueen helped shape.
So next time you hear the roar of a classic twin-cylinder engine, tip your helmet to the man who made cool look effortless, and riding look essential.
Because for Steve McQueen, and for many of us, motorcycles aren’t just a passion.
They’re a way of life.
Want More McQueen?
Check out the Motorcycle Hall of Fame for his full racing history.
Visit the Petersen Automotive Museum or California Automobile Museum to see bikes he owned or inspired.
Watch On Any Sunday and experience the era McQueen helped define.
Bonus Resources for Fans
Read:
Steve McQueen: The Last Mile by Barbara McQueen
Steve McQueen: A Passion for Speed by Frederic Brun
Watch:
On Any Sunday (1971)
The Great Escape (1963)
Le Mans (1971)
Follow:
@stevemcqueenlegacy (Instagram, estate-run)
#mcqueenmotorcycle on social media for custom builds and fan tributes
