So, everyone is talking about Austin Butler again. It feels like we just finished debating his Elvis voice, and now we’re staring at him in a denim vest, leaning against a Harley-Davidson. If you’ve seen the trailers or caught the movie on a streaming service like Peacock, you know the vibe. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s very 1960s.
But here’s the thing.
Most people think The Bikeriders is just another Hollywood "tough guy" flick. They see Butler’s character, Benny, and they think it’s just a James Dean cosplay session with more grease. Honestly? That’s not even half the story. The movie, directed by Jeff Nichols, is actually based on a very real, very famous photography book by Danny Lyon. And the real history behind it is way weirder than what you see on screen.
The Mystery of the Real Benny
When Austin Butler signed on to play Benny, he didn't have much to go on. In the original 1968 book by Danny Lyon, Benny is a ghost. He’s in the photos, sure, but you never really see his face clearly. He’s usually looking away, or he’s just a silhouette on a bike.
Butler basically had to build a human being out of thin air and leather.
He’s the "wild animal" of the group. While Tom Hardy’s character, Johnny, is trying to run a business and keep a family together, Benny just... exists. He rides. He fights. He doesn't say much. Butler described him in interviews as a "bottomless glass"—everyone around him, including his wife Kathy (played by Jodie Comer), tries to fill him with their own hopes and rules, but he just stays empty. He’s the personification of that 60s desire to just be gone.
Is it a true story?
Sorta. Kinda.
The club in the movie is called the Vandals. In real life, they were the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Jeff Nichols changed the name because he didn't want to get sued—or worse—by the actual club, which still exists today. The Outlaws are one of the "Big Four" outlaw motorcycle clubs, and they take their history seriously.
The movie uses real dialogue from Danny Lyon's tape recordings. If you think Jodie Comer’s accent sounds "too much," go listen to the actual tapes of Kathy Bauer. It’s spot on.
That "Too Pretty" Problem
There was a lot of chatter when the movie dropped that Austin Butler was "too beautiful" to be a 1960s biker. You’ve seen the comments. People complaining that his teeth are too white and his hair is too perfect for a guy who sleeps in the dirt.
It’s a fair point. But there’s a counter-argument.
Back in the 60s, these guys weren't all grizzled old men with grey beards. They were kids. Benny was 19 when he met Kathy. They were young, rebellious, and—honestly—often quite vain about their "outlaw" look. Butler brings that specific brand of dangerous, youthful charisma that makes you understand why Kathy would marry him five weeks after meeting him.
Learning to Ride Like a Pro
Austin Butler didn't just sit on a stationary bike in front of a green screen. He actually learned to ride. And not just "ride a motorcycle," but ride a vintage bike with drum brakes that barely work.
Stopping those things is like trying to stop a freight train with a piece of string.
He spent weeks practicing in parking lots, learning how to ride in a "pack formation." Apparently, it’s a lot like flying in the Air Force—you have to trust the guy in front of you not to wipe out, or you’re all going down. Butler even admitted he wiped out once during filming. He broke a floorboard off the bike, but he got right back on. That’s the kind of commitment you want from an actor playing a guy who chooses his bike over his own safety.
The Gear That Matters
- The Bikes: They used period-correct Harleys. We're talking 1965 Electra Glides and FLHs. No modern fuel injection here.
- The Vests: The "colors" (the patches on the back) were meticulously designed to look like the mid-60s Midwest style.
- The Sound: The production team was obsessed with getting the "roar" right. They didn't want it to sound like a modern sportbike; they wanted that low-frequency rumble that shakes your teeth.
Why the Ending Hits Different
If you’re looking for a Sons of Anarchy style shootout at the end, you’re going to be disappointed. That’s not what this is. The Bikeriders is about the moment the dream died. It's about how a club for misfits turned into a criminal syndicate.
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The real Benny? He didn't die in a blaze of glory.
According to Danny Lyon, the real-life Benny eventually moved to Florida and became a mechanic. He’s actually still alive, or was recently, living a quiet life in his 80s. That’s the real tragedy of the movie—not that everyone dies, but that the "freedom" they were chasing eventually just turned into another job or a prison sentence.
The Actionable Takeaway
If you want to actually understand the "Austin Butler bike riders" phenomenon, don't just watch the clips on TikTok.
- Check out the book: Buy or find a copy of Danny Lyon's The Bikeriders. The photos are haunting.
- Listen to the tapes: You can find snippets of the real Kathy and Zipco online. It adds a whole new layer to the performances.
- Watch The Wild One: Tom Hardy’s character is literally inspired by watching Marlon Brando in that movie. It’s the "meta" link that explains why these guys acted the way they did.
At the end of the day, Austin Butler isn't just playing a biker. He's playing a myth. Whether he’s "too pretty" or not doesn't really matter when you're watching him disappear into the horizon on a 74-cubic-inch Panhead. It’s about that feeling of being untouchable, even if it only lasts for a few miles.
If you're curious about the specific bikes used in the film, looking into the history of the 1965 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide is the best place to start. It was a transitional year for Harley, much like the 60s were for the riders themselves.