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Sure, 007 has his Aston Martins and BMWs. However, the Dark Knight has an even longer tenure of movie and television appearances. Better yet, Batman also has a history of hemming up bad guys in modified cars, boats, planes, and even motorcycles. However, you might not be familiar with the admittedly dangerous “Batcycle” sidecar motorcycle and its history with Batman and Robin.

The Batcycle motorcycle was more than dangerous for baddies; it was dangerous to famed Batman sidekick Robin

The Batcycle, or “Bat-Cycle,” is the oft-overlooked mount of Adam West and Burt Ward in the 1960s “Batman” TV show. The overstyled bike wasn’t a noir ride like the fat-tired motorcycle from the Christopher Nolan films. No, no, this was an eye-popping black, white, and red contraption. Better yet, it was a sidecar motorcycle combo with room for Robin. 

Now, Batman actor Adam West admitted in an interview that he once commuted on a motorcycle, so riding the Batcycle wasn’t that foreign to him. Still, even with moto-competency in his utility belt, he chuckled through the explanation of the motorcycle’s attached sidecar. This was no ordinary sidecar motorcycle. It was a Batman setup, which means comically imaginative gadgets and quirks. Consequently, Robin actor Burt Ward would ride the detachable sidecar as it careened, well, wherever the hell it wanted. 

A 'Batcycle' sidecar motorcycle like the model Batman rode in the 1960s.
The Batcycle | Volo Museum

That’s right, West had agency over his garish motorcycle. Ward, on the other hand, would hold on for dear life as West sent him flying. “It was rigged to head in a direction and stop at a certain point,” West said of Batman’s sidecar motorcycle rig. “It very seldom did that.”

“Burt would be screaming and white-knuckled.” Understandably, West had difficulty getting through the explanation without cracking up. “He never knew– I never knew where he was gonna end up.” West even recalled two instances where Ward rode the wayward sidecar into a body of water and a chicken coup. “It was terrible. But Burt was very brave about these things.”

Check out the Instagram post below for Adam West’s recollection of sending Robin flying!

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).