‘Equalizer 3’ Does Biker Gangs With a European Twist
Denzel Washington reprises his role as the meticulous yet mysterious Robert McCall in “Equalizer 3.” The latest addition to the franchise finds McCall on a vendetta in Italy with all of its picturesque Mediterranean charm. However, motorcycle fans will notice the European take on biker gangs, including a screen-dominating Ducati Diavel 1260 S.
The gangsters in ‘Equalizer 3’ prove that biker gangs aren’t always wall-to-wall Harley-Davidsons
Instead of the lazy, bassy V-Twin bellow of a column of Harley-Davidsons, the criminals in “Equalizer 3” did things differently. Specifically, the gangsters ride a series of European and Japanese bikes, including a wide, aggressive Ducati Diavel 1260 S.
What’s more, the noir aesthetic of the Diavel is a solid two-wheeled pairing for the bad guys in the action movie. Its 240/45ZR-17 rear tire creates the classically cool cruiser look, while the Ducati’s 538-lb curb weight and copious power reserves make for a launch-happy ride.
It’s apropos for a member of the feared Camorra, the storied criminal organization and undisputed villains of the film. Frankly, it’s the closest thing in Ducati’s lineup to some of Harley-Davidson’s fat-tire boulevard bruisers, like the Breakout or VRSC series.
However, unlike the comparably anemic Harley-Davidson Breakout, the Ducati Diavel 1260 S produces a volcanic 159 horsepower from its 1,260cc L-Twin, 58 more than a 2024 Breakout 117. That said, it dwarfs the Ducati Monster and BMW R nineT it rides alongside.
Still, the BMW R nineT is an odd Euro biker gang choice. The Boxer-powered BMW is more of a handsome modern classic than a high-performance sport bike. It’s the same miscalculation that Marvel Studios made with the Triumph Thruxton R, a 97-horsepower modern café more attuned to James Bond than henchmen chasing Ant-Man. One has to imagine a set of black Ducati Panigales would look much more sinister on screen.
The bikes aren’t the only automotive eye candy in the Denzel Washington movie
When dealing with a Hollywood interpretation of the dreaded Camorra, you’re bound to have some pretty sweet rides in the mix. At a glance, the landscape is dotted with stunning Italian cars. From bad guys in a Ferrari California to crooked cops in Alfa Romeos, there’s no shortage of car-watching gems.
However, there’s an automotive anomaly in the mix. The latter half of the movie reveals an S197-generation Ford Mustang. To say the 10-year-old Mustang is out of place on the Amalfi coast is an understatement.
With rolling art installations like the Ferrari F8 Tributo and a fat-tire Ducati Diavel on screen, the Mustang is a bit underwhelming as a gangster car. I suppose one of the gangsters has a penchant for pony cars.
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