John Rambo is an iconic character in pop culture, and his first appearance in the movie Rambo: First Blood was unforgettable. Released in 1982, First Blood introduced us to Rambo and a cool motorcycle (pictured above, via Metaflix). If you just saw the movie (which I highly recommend) you may have asked yourself, what motorcycle does John Rambo ride? Let me tell you.
John Rambo’s Motorcycle in First Blood
The iconic bike is a 1979 Yamaha XT500 and it has gone on to become one of the most recognizable motorcycles in the world.
The Yamaha XT500 was originally released in 1975 as a street-legal dirt bike, but it was quickly adopted by off-road riders for its power and versatility. The XT500 was a single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled machine with a top speed of around 90 miles per hour. It was equipped with a five-speed transmission and a high-performance suspension system.
In First Blood, Rambo is seen riding his Yamaha XT500 in some of the most iconic scenes of the movie. The XT500 was the perfect bike for Rambo, as it could tackle the rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest. The bike was also relatively easy to maneuver, which allowed Rambo to take on the police force with ease.
The Yamaha XT500 continues to be a popular bike amongst off-roaders, and its legacy has been immortalized in First Blood. The iconic bike has seen its fair share of replica builds and stunt re-enactments, and it remains one of the most recognizable motorcycles of all time.
