In Skyfall, James Bond roars across rooftops, zips through crowded streets, and dances along the ledges of ancient buildings. The motorcycle that does it all is the Honda CRF250R, a workhorse motocross machine reimagined for the world’s most famous secret agent.
Not your everyday showroom model, this Honda has been dressed in the clothes native to Turkey blending in with the chaos of Istanbul’s streets as much as Bond himself melds into the shadows. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
A Rooftop Chase for the Ages
In the opening sequence of Skyfall, Bond does what he does best: chase down the bad guy with a singular determination. This time, he does it on two wheels, with the kind of precision that only MI6’s finest could muster.
What’s underneath him, though, is not some high-end, chrome-dipped superbike. It’s a Honda CRF250R, a motocross bike built to eat dirt and leap through the air. But how did a humble dirt bike find its way into the hands of 007?
The CRF250R: The Perfect Tool for a Chaotic Chase
Let’s start with the bike itself. The Honda CRF250R is built for motocross. It’s a dirt bike made for tight corners, unpredictable surfaces, and moments when the ground drops out from under you. It’s a purebred racer, with a 249cc four-stroke engine that spits out about 38 horsepower. Not exactly a rocket ship compared to a Ducati or a Triumph, but the CRF250R wasn’t designed for speed records. It was designed to take a beating and keep going, to dig into the earth and launch itself into the air when the moment calls for it.
In Skyfall, the moment absolutely called for it. Chasing a villain over rooftops and through the crowded markets of Istanbul isn’t a job for a high-maintenance, high-speed bullet. It’s a job for a bike that can weave, bob, and yes, jump, without hesitation. The CRF250R was perfect for the job, but with a bit of movie magic, of course.
Movie Magic: The Transformation
On screen, the CRF250R doesn’t look like a motocross bike. In the world of Skyfall, it’s dressed up with some metal saddlebags and some other modification. Gone are the traditional motocross graphics and bright red Honda branding. Instead, you’ve got a more subdued, utility-focused exterior.
But even with its new uniform, the heart of the CRF250R remains intact. It’s still light, nimble, and capable of the kind of acrobatics that leave the audience gasping. When Bond rides that bike along rooftops, it’s the CRF250R’s frame, suspension, and lightweight body that makes it believable. After all, you don’t put a heavyweight on a tightrope and expect them to stay balanced. The CRF250R dances across those rooftops like a ballerina on two wheels.
Why the CRF250R Works for Bond
Now, why did the folks behind Skyfall choose this bike, specifically? Part of it comes down to practicality. The CRF250R is a lightweight, versatile bike that can handle both urban environments and more rugged terrain with ease.
For the kind of tight, complex stunts required in the opening chase scene, something heavier would have been a liability. Bond needed to be nimble, quick, and in total control, even while leaping from rooftop to rooftop. The CRF250R offered that agility in spades.
Then there’s the fact that it’s a Honda. Reliable, durable, and known for being able to take a beating without giving up. In the world of James Bond, that’s a valuable trait. The bike, like the man riding it, needed to come out of the other side of a chase bruised but still ready for action.
Final Thoughts: The Perfect Match
The Honda CRF250R wasn’t born to be a movie star, but it turned into one thanks to Skyfall. In the hands of James Bond, it’s no longer just a motocross bike. It’s a tool for survival, a way to outrun and outmaneuver the forces of evil while looking impossibly cool doing it.
So, what motorcycle does James Bond ride in Skyfall? It’s not some super-powered, custom-built machine. It’s a Honda CRF250R—rugged, reliable, and ready to tear up the rooftops of Istanbul with the same grit and determination as Bond himself. Because sometimes, it’s not about the horsepower; it’s about the rider and the ride.
Want to ride the new version of this bike? Check out the new CRF250R at Honda’s website and if you’re looking for something street-legal, the CRF300L is probably more your speed.
