The movie “Mission Impossible 2” (2000) is a sleek, high-octane thrill ride where Ethan Hunt, portrayed by Tom Cruise, barrels through the screen with the ferocity of a daredevil. The star of the show, though, isn’t just Cruise or the flashy explosions—it’s the iconic motorcycle that delivers one of the most memorable chase scenes in action movie history.
What motorcycle does our hero ride in MI2? Well, buckle up for a thrilling bit of machinery: it’s the Triumph Speed Triple. A beast on two wheels, the Speed Triple complements Cruise’s no-holds-barred stunts with British engineering and unflinching style.
The Speed Triple: A British Bad Boy
In 2000, when the movie was released, the Triumph Speed Triple was already legendary among riders who knew a thing or two about sportbikes. The Speed Triple stood out as a factory streetfighter—a stripped-down, snarling bruiser of a motorcycle that was both aggressive and beautifully refined, just like Ethan Hunt himself. Not a surprise it ended up on the big screen.
The model in the film is a 1999 Triumph Speed Triple 955i. This particular version came with a 955cc inline triple-cylinder engine, pumping out a healthy 108 horsepower, which back then was more than enough to ignite both your adrenaline and your tires.
This wasn’t just a bike for cruising boulevards and looking cool. This thing hunted corners. The Speed Triple was known for its stability, precision, and gobs of torque, which made it perfect for the intense chase scenes that would put even seasoned stunt drivers to the test.
And let’s not forget the Speed Triple’s signature look. The bike features twin, bug-eye headlights that give it a distinctive and aggressive front profile. There’s something about those headlights—they stare back at you like they know a few things you don’t. With a naked frame and minimalist bodywork, the Speed Triple is a machine that feels raw and purposeful. It’s an anti-flash bike that looks like it rolled straight out of a garage where only serious riders hang out.
Motorcycle Stunts: Pure Cinema Gold
But the Triumph Speed Triple isn’t just a static piece of eye candy. The bike earns its paycheck in Mission: Impossible 2 during a jaw-dropping chase scene where Hunt, in typical Tom Cruise fashion, refuses to let stunt doubles steal his thunder. Tom Cruise, mind you, is actually a motorcycle enthusiast and has been since he was a teenager. That probably explains why he looks so natural on the Speed Triple as he flies through the dusty roads of Australia in pursuit of his adversary.
In the movie, Hunt uses the bike for a variety of wild stunts, from high-speed chases to dodging bullets in between jumps. The sequence is pure cinema: Hunt hurtles off cliffs, leans into impossibly tight corners, and even manages to spin the bike into a dirt skid while aiming a gun. Sure, physics gets bent here and there, but in a Mission: Impossible film, reality is more of a guideline than a rule.
There’s a climactic scene where Hunt and the villain lock eyes before launching themselves at each other, both riding motorcycles at full tilt. It’s motorcycle jousting, 21st-century style. As they leap off their bikes and collide midair, the motorcycles go flying in opposite directions, somersaulting into a chaotic explosion. The image of the Triumph Speed Triple being sacrificed for the sake of cinema still burns brightly in the minds of gearheads.
The Triumph Legacy Post-MI2
After the release of Mission: Impossible 2, the Speed Triple became an even bigger sensation. Triumph, already a respected name in motorcycling, saw its streetfighter develop a new level of global recognition, thanks in part to Tom Cruise’s dashing heroics. Motorcycle aficionados flocked to dealerships, inspired by Hunt’s high-speed antics, imagining themselves pulling similar stunts—albeit with a bit more caution.
The Speed Triple, much like its appearance in MI2, was built to leave an impression. Triumph has continued to evolve the Speed Triple over the years, making it faster, lighter, and more advanced with each iteration. Yet, it’s that 1999 model, forever tied to Tom Cruise and his daring escapades, that holds a special place in pop culture.
A Perfect Match: Ethan Hunt and the Triumph Speed Triple
In the world of Mission: Impossible, the stakes are always high, and the action is always extreme. It’s only fitting that Ethan Hunt’s choice of motorcycle would reflect his daring, relentless persona. The Triumph Speed Triple was more than a prop—it was a character, a partner in crime. It’s a bike that, much like Hunt, combines elegance with aggression, and it’s not afraid to get its hands dirty.
For motorheads and movie buffs alike, that’s about as good as it gets.
