When Batman can’t take the Batmobile out for a spin, he often turns to the Batcycle. Which version of the classic DC vehicle is the best?
The Caped Crusader has no problem using whatever gadgets in his arsenal that he can to take down and defeat the various bad guys that threaten to cause harm in Gotham City. He can chase them down in the Batmobile, speed after them on the water in the Batboat, or apprehend them from above in the Batwing. However, sometimes he opts for a less theatrical option and just chases them in the compact Batcycle.
Batman has had various reasons for bringing out the Batcycle (also lovingly referred to as the “Batbike” on occasion) over the years. Whether it’s due to the Batmobile getting damaged or the likelihood of the smaller vehicle being a smoother, quicker ride, we’ve seen it pop up in multiple storylines and mediums over the years.
It’s also found its way into The Dark Knight’s movie and TV adventures, with one particular reinvention of it taking on a whole life of its own. But which of those Batcycles are the most effective? Let’s look back at Batman’s on-screen bikes and rank them from worst to best.
7. The Batbike
Appeared in: Batwoman
When The CW’s Batwoman kicked off, it opted against using the Batmobile and went for something a little more Kate Kane. That was, of course, the Batcycle – or, as Batwoman referred to it: The Batbike.
A modified Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron, it was the perfect way for the Scarlet Knight to speed through Gotham City and apprehend the villains that crossed her path. It was also equipped with a grappling hook that Kate could use to slow down or stop those villains she was chasing – heck, she even used it to stop a moving train once! But that’s not all, as it also had smoke darts, which could allow her to make a quick – and theatrical – getaway.
With Batwoman having a limited budget on television, it made complete sense to steer clear of the Batmobile in its first season (though it did eventually show up in the season 2 premiere), but this suited the show – and its protagonist – down to the ground. It was also effective to use and just pretty darn cool. The only drawback is that there is no Bat modifications to give it that definitive Batbike look.
Nevertheless, when Batwoman was riding it through the streets, it looked definitively amazing.
6. The Redbird
Appeared in: Batman and Robin
Okay, so technically, the Redbird wasn’t a motorcycle ridden by Batman, but as we’re including Batwoman‘s Batbike on this list, Robin’s means of transport should be included as well. And with that, allow us to introduce you to The Redbird; a custom motorcycle used by the Boy Wonder in the infamous 1997 film Batman and Robin.
You might be forgiven for not realizing that it’s a motorcycle at first glance because it certainly doesn’t look like one. But underneath that sleek design, there is a motorcycle and a pretty cool one at that. And speaking of its sleek design, the black and red paint job – particularly the red streaks across the back and front – are absolutely beautiful.
The Redbird’s most iconic scene in Batman and Robin is the one in which Batman disables its engines so that Robin won’t make the jump across the city to the next building during the chase with Mr. Freeze and his goons. It’s a relatively dark scene, with the blue hues of evening Gotham overshadowing just how colorful – and Robin-like – the vehicle actually was. It complemented the Boy Wonder, and his attire in this movie, well.
Batman and Robin had a lot of flaws. Robin’s motorcycle was not one of them.
5. The DCEU Batcycle
Appeared in: The Flash
You might be forgiven for overlooking the DCEU iteration of the Batcycle (heck, I nearly did) as it didn’t pop up until the very last DCEU movie. That’s right, it finally surfaced when Ben Affleck’s Batman had his final hurrah, appearing in the opening act of The Flash.
Much like this universe’s version of the Batwing, it’s less theatrical and more durable – and when we say “durable”, we mean durable. We wouldn’t expect anything less of The Dark Knight’s gadgets than it making its first appearance in a high-speed chase, and that means it gets to show off what it can do, which it does very well.
It’s got a nice little Bat-Ram fixed to the front of it, allowing it to burst through any barriers (or, well, vehicles) blocking its way. Like other versions of the Batcycle, it’s also capable of administering gunfire when it needs to as it features two high-powered canons on either side, and it’s capable of protecting Batman from attacks when doing so, as a protective shield can rise to prevent any return gunfire from injuring him.
It’s a pretty cool look (especially the double tyre look it went for), it just lacks a little bit of Bat character. Nevertheless, it was a delight to finally see it in The Flash.
4. The ’60s Batcycle
Appeared in: Batman: The Movie, Batman (1966 – 1968)
The classic 1966 Batman TV series was renowned for its endless supply of Bat-gadgets, Bat-solutions, and Bat-knowledge. So of course that same philosophy could be applied to its Batcycle, because there was not one, not two, but three variations of the iconic bike that appeared across the show’s three seasons.
As recalled by 1966 Batman Pages, the first of them made a single appearance in the first season, and its design was based after a 1959 Harley Davidson, albeit with an attached sidecar for Robin, the Boy Wonder to ride in. It also featured that iconic protective Bat-shaped shield on its front. This one was rented by the studio, which made sense since they were on a TV budget. However, when Batman: The Movie was released in 1966, there was enough budget for the crew to construct their own Batcycle.
This one, based on a 1966 Yamaha Catalina, was much edgier than its predecessor, with an epic white, black, and red paint job that finished it off beautifully. It also bears more of a resemblance to the signature Batcycle design seen in the comics over the years, so we’re thankful that the movie presented the show’s crew with the opportunity to make this one, as it was able to be used in the second and third seasons of the show.
The third variation of the vehicle was the Batgirl Cycle, and with its purple paint job and bat-wing design. it also looked pretty darn swell.
The ’66 series really was the comic books come to life at the time.
3. The DCAU Batcycle
Appeared in: Batman: The Animated Series
Like the vast majority of Batman’s adaptations, Batman: The Animated Series relied heavily on the Batmobile (heck, it plays a major role in the show’s opening titles), but Kevin Conroy’s iconic Caped Crusader was known for bringing out the Batcycle on more than one occasion too.
Undoubtedly the sharpest of all the Batcycles on this list, it featured a shield of protective glass over its dashboard (in the shape of pointed bat ears) that could also extend over the center of the bike, covering the area in which the driver would sit. The curve of its main body also extended outwards towards the back in the shape of a sharp tailfin, giving it that unique Batman design that all of the Dark Knight’s means of transportation are renowned for. The front wheel covering featured three metal stripes, with a bright triangular-shaped headlight just fixed at the top of it, underneath the glass-protected dashboard.
What’s also cool about the animated series’ Batcycle is how Batman always wore a helmet when riding it. It’s incredibly logical and highly recommended when riding a motorcycle. Oh yeah, and it looked really cool too, because it was essentially just a thicker, more protective version of his own cowl.
This Batcycle was simple but effective, and when paired with Robin’s similar bike, the Dynamic Duo have never looked more badass.
In fact, we’re pretty sure this one inspired our next entry…
2. The Reeves Batcycle
Appeared in: The Batman
The Batcycle made its return to the live-action medium in 2022’s The Batman. Matt Reeves’ film did employ the Batmobile as well, but as it was saving the legendary car for its big debut midway through the movie, the bike was brought in as Batman’s primary means of transport throughout the three-hour detective story.
Fans knew that the Batcycle would be playing an important role in the movie before it was even released, as set photos of Robert Pattinson’s stunt double riding the vehicle through a cemetery surfaced online ahead of its release. The vehicle isn’t unlike your typical Batcycle, but the main body of this one has a very sleek bend on the front of it that forms nicely into two sharp bat-ears. That is also where the single headlight is placed, and that helps complete the look of this beautifully eerie bike in the film. It also takes some of its cues from the Batcycle seen in Batman: The Animated Series.
The Batman opted for a less is more approach and this was one of the finest examples of that. Seeing Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader speed through the streets of Gotham on this motorcycle made for an unforgettable sight, particularly in that final scene in the cemetery. Beautiful. Hauntingly so, but beautiful nonetheless.
1. The Batpod
Appeared in: The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises
It’s pretty ironic that the most iconic version of the Batcycle really isn’t the Batcycle at all, but that’s how innovative Christopher Nolan’s legendary Dark Knight Trilogy was.
Known as the Batpod, this sleek, two-wheeled vehicle emerged from the remnants of the mighty Tumbler Batmobile after it was destroyed at the hands of The Joker in The Dark Knight. When Batman realized the huge vehicle wasn’t salvageable, he initiated the eject sequence, resulting in one of the vehicle’s front wheels coming to life and pushing itself out from the frame of the Batmobile. The Batpod then exploded outward with Batman riding it, as the Tumbler self-destructed behind him.
As it’s literally built from the Batmobile, there are just two tyres on the Batpod, with the frame structure joining the two together. The front wheel is between two canons, which Batman can operate from the handles of the vehicle. The pod itself is driven by leaning forward, which makes sense as it emerged from the Batmobile’s weapons system and that is exactly how the Caped Crusader operated that system.
The Batpod truly is a beauty to behold. It’s sleek, smooth, and as effective as the Batcycles come, and you will never see a more epic sight than when the person riding it turns, which allows the wheels to do a complete 360 mid-turn. Epic doesn’t cover it.