If there’s one thing a film featuring Johnny Depp has, it’s style—usually a worn-out, rebellious kind. And The Rum Diary is no exception. Based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson, this 2011 movie is set in Puerto Rico during the 1960s and follows the boozy misadventures of Paul Kemp, a jaded journalist looking to escape the monotony of life.
And, of course, a film like this wouldn’t be complete without some memorable rides, both on and off four wheels. But for us motorcycle buffs, there’s a certain two-wheeled machine that stands out amid the dusty streets and tropical backdrop.
So, what motorcycle is it? Well, it’s a Harley-Davidson W-Series Flathead as far as I can tell—one of those rare beasts that didn’t just scream, but snarled its defiance at anything tame. Now, before we dive headfirst into its engine specs, let’s take a moment to appreciate the scene itself.
This is the kind of bike you’d expect Kemp to ride: stripped-down, a bit rough around the edges, and distinctly American in all the best and worst ways. When Kemp takes off on this machine, you can almost smell the gasoline and taste the wind-blown salt on your lips.
The Harley-Davidson Flathead: A Glimpse Into Its Soul
The motorcycle was an evolution of Harley-Davidson’s motorcycles used in the war.
When the W-Series version had emerged it was one tough son of a gun. Powered by a 45 cubic inch (roughly 750cc) V-twin flathead engine, it wasn’t just for show. It had good power for the time, and the W-series and K-series were sold at the same time, I believe.
The styling of the W-Series fit right into the Rum Diary aesthetic. This bike was naked, nothing fancy. No gadgets, just bare-bones torque and grit. The perfect match for a character like Kemp, who, much like the bike, seemed to exist without any extra frills or unnecessary distractions. Both man and machine in this film embodied a rawness that echoed Thompson’s own writing.
Why the W-Series?
Now, the question is: why the Harley W-Series? Well, the answer might not be as clear-cut as you think. The movie, after all, is set in the 1960s, but Kemp rides a motorcycle from the 40s or 50s.
Yet, this choice makes perfect sense when you consider the film’s deeper undercurrents. The W-Series wasn’t the newest, flashiest bike on the market, but it was dependable and powerful, qualities that echoed Kemp’s own contradictions. He’s a man who drifts, sure, but beneath his cynical exterior lies something solid—like the engine in that Harley.
And let’s face it, the W-Series wasn’t just a bike. It was a statement. By the time it was around, Harley was more than just a motorcycle brand; it was a symbol of independence, rebellion, and the American spirit.
There was no better machine to represent Kemp’s wild, rum-soaked ride through Puerto Rico. The fact that Kemp isn’t on some cafe racer or high-tech (for the time) machine only strengthens the connection to Thompson’s gritty, bare-knuckled world.
The Bike in the Bigger Picture
In The Rum Diary, everything feels slightly worn-out, hanging onto a dream that’s beginning to fray at the edges. The motorcycle fits right into this atmosphere—much like the dilapidated buildings and chaotic energy of the island.
You can see why the filmmakers might’ve chosen a bike like the Harley, a machine that had once been state-of-the-art but now felt more like a relic of an era gone by. It mirrors the fading idealism of the main characters and the crumbling American dream they are caught in.
It’s not just a motorcycle in a movie. It’s a symbol. And the W-Series, with its stripped-down design and raw power, is the perfect metaphor for both Kemp’s life and the broader themes of The Rum Diary. As the engine roars and the wheels kick up dust, we’re reminded that sometimes, the best stories are about the rides that take you off the map, away from the safety of the known. And isn’t that what motorcycling—and life—is all about?
There you have it, a slice of American iron from the mid-’50s that, though a bit past its prime, still had plenty of fire left in its belly—just like Kemp. Whether you watch The Rum Diary for its sun-soaked scenery, Depp’s swagger, or, like us, the motorcycle, the Harley-Davidson W-Series Flathead holds its place as a star in its own right.
