Honda CRF250R Featured in Upcoming James Bond Film “Skyfall”

James Bond films are probably better known for their exotic cars but the British superspy does get to ride on motorcycles once in a while. The latest motorcycle to be featured in 007′s vehicle dossier is the Honda CRF250R.

Honda supplied 20 CRF250R models for the upcoming James Bond film “Skyfall”, set to open Oct. 26. Two of those CRFs will be featured in the opening chase scene, with Bond, played by Daniel Craig, riding the model pictured above, chasing a mercenary character named Patrice, played by Ola Rapace.

The scene, shot in Turkey, has Patrice fleeing on a CRF250R seized from a crashed police officer while Bond gives chase on a CRF commandeered from a Turkish merchant. Both models were heavily modified by Academy Award-winner Chris Corbould’s special effects team.

“We needed a highly versatile and quality off-road motorbike that could be easily modified, without compromising performance or safety, for the opening sequence of Skyfall,” says Gary Powell, a stunt co-ordinator for the film. “Honda’s CRFs are probably the best off-roaders out there so it’s great that we’ve been able to partner with Honda as the bikes, whilst heavily modified, were superb to work with.”

The Honda CRF250R also played a vital role behind the cameras. Two models were used by the camera crew to film the chase scene and various stunts.

The “police” and “street merchant” CRF250Rs used in the film have been added to the BOND IN MOTION exhibit at the U.K.’s National Motor Museum in Beaulieu which features 50 vehicles from the Bond film franchise’s 50-year history.

[Source: Honda]

By Dennis Chung