The sequence, which was shot in Istanbul and Adana, Turkey earlier this year, features Bond (Daniel Craig) and henchman Patrice (Ola Rapace) riding Honda CRF250R bikes.
To complete the sequence twenty machines were provided and ‘dressed’ into two native styles. One is a Turkish police bike that Patrice seizes after a policeman crashes, the other is a merchant’s bike that Bond uses to pursue Patrice through the streets.
Both bikes feature extensive modifications courtesy of Chris Corbould’s award-winning Special Effects team.
Two further bikes were used as HD camera filming machines, as only a motorbike could easily enable the camera crew to keep up with the chase scene and follow the various stunts.
Stunt Co-ordinator for Skyfall, Gary Powell, commented, “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. 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.”
Honda (UK) Corporate Communications Manager, Fiona Cole, said, “We’re delighted to be a partner for Skyfall and are very much looking forward to seeing our Honda CRFs in action in the film and rolling out some great associated activities we’ve got planned from October when the film is released.
“We like to try and do things differently at Honda, including finding innovative, yet relevant ways to showcase our diverse products, whilst also really engaging with our customers. It’s great to not only have Honda machines chosen as the choice of Bond, but also to be working with such a longstanding film franchise.”
The bikes were unveiled at the National Motor Museum in Beaulie which is hosting the BOND IN MOTION exhibition until 31 December 2012. The exhibition, the largest of its kind, celebrates 50 years of the James Bond films and showcases 50 of the best-loved and most iconic Bond vehicles.
To mark the occasion, Honda (UK) is offering twenty pairs of tickets to the BOND IN MOTION exhibition at Beaulieu, to lucky winners who enter Honda’s exclusive competition on its Twitter feed (@Honda_UK) before midnight on Sunday 22 July.
Skyfall is scheduled to arrive in UK and Irish cinemas on October 26th 2012. North America fans will be able to see it from November 9th 2012.