John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is packed with some of the most intense motorcycle action ever put on film. The franchise is known for its stunt realism and practical effects, and the motorcycle sequences in the third installment raise the bar — especially the now-famous sword fight on the Manhattan Bridge.
While the movie doesn’t give us a long lineup of distinct models, the motorcycles that do appear were chosen specifically for stunt work, fight choreography, and visual clarity in fast-moving scenes. Here’s a breakdown of the key bikes used in John Wick 3.
The Main Motorcycle: Yamaha MT-09 (Stunt Platform)
The primary motorcycle platform used in John Wick 3 — especially in the sword-fight chase — is the Yamaha MT-09 (known as the FZ-09 in the U.S. prior to 2017).
Why the MT-09?
The stunt team selected the MT-09 for several important reasons:
• Lightweight and maneuverable, ideal for close-quarters choreographed combat
• Strong low-end torque, allowing riders to accelerate quickly in short urban intervals
• Stable chassis, suited for camera rigs and repeated high-impact takes
• Naked bike design, giving the stunt team clear hand clearance for weapon work
• Lower bodywork risk, reducing the chance of fairing damage during stunts
The production used multiple MT-09 stunt builds, some modified with:
• Simplified bodywork
• Frame sliders and crash protection
• Dampened bars and controls for weapon combat
• Camera-friendly lighting adjustments
• Reinforced subframes for rider-on-rider action
These weren’t showroom MT-09s — they were purpose-built stunt platforms.
The “Traffic Bikes” – Modified Middleweight Naked Models
During the chase sequences, especially in New York and Casablanca, the production used a small fleet of look-alike motorcycles dressed to blend into nighttime urban traffic. While the MT-09 is the hero bike, background and secondary stunt bikes included:
• Yamaha MT-07 (lightweight, versatile stunt bike)
• Kawasaki Z650 (used for background riders)
• Honda CB500F / CB650F (common traffic doubles)
Most of these were modified to match the general silhouette of the MT-09 so the audience wouldn’t notice the swaps during high-speed cuts. This is a common stunt-film technique.
The Horse vs Motorcycle Sequence — Lightweight Dirt/SM Platforms
In the legendary “horse alley” sequence, the pursuing riders are on lightweight dirt-based motorcycles disguised as street bikes. These were likely based on:
• 250–450cc and electric dual-sport platforms
• Often converted with supermoto wheels or urban bodywork
• Tuned for agility and rapid directional changes in narrow spaces
Choreographing stunts around animals requires highly predictable bike movement, so the stunt team preferred smaller, lighter platforms even if they were dressed to resemble generic streetbikes.
Why No Big Superbikes or Iconic Named Motorcycles?
Unlike other action franchises that showcase brand partnerships (Mission: Impossible, James Bond, Black Widow), John Wick emphasizes realism, practicality, and gritty urban violence. Using superbikes or highly recognizable models would:
• Interfere with close-quarters fight choreography
• Add unnecessary weight and risk
• Create continuity problems when swapping stunt doubles
• Be harder for inexperienced stunt riders to manipulate with weapons at speed
The MT-09 perfectly fits the film’s “functional, brutal, tactical” aesthetic.
Did Keanu Reeves Actually Ride the Bikes?
Keanu Reeves is a lifelong rider and co-founder of ARCH Motorcycle, and he did ride in several controlled sections of the shoot. However, the sword-fight motorcycle chase required:
• Stunt riders
• Rig bikes
• Green-screen composites
The sequence is a combination of practical stunts and digital plate replacement — but the movements and interactions are grounded in real riding performed by professional stunt teams.
Summary: Motorcycles Seen in John Wick 3
Here’s a quick recap of the prominent motorcycles used in the film:
Main “Hero” Bike:
• Yamaha MT-09 (multiple stunt builds)
Secondary / Traffic Bikes:
• Yamaha MT-07
• Kawasaki Z650
• Honda CB500F / CB650F
• Other midweight naked bikes used as traffic doubles
Horse Alley Pursuit Bikes:
• Lightweight 250–450cc dirt or dual-sport models disguised for the scene
While John Wick 3 doesn’t feature exotic, name-brand superbikes, the motorcycle stunt work is some of the most impressive in modern action cinema — precisely because the bikes chosen were the ones best suited to the brutal, close-quarters, real-world action for which the franchise is known.
