Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982) User Reviews

Only fairly good

[phantopp · 4/10 · 10 May 2010]

Star motorcycle racer, "Lyle Swan" (Fred Ward) goes missing as he is in the middle to a race. At least that's what his friends think. In reality, he stumbles upon a secret government time travel experiment, and is sent to the late 1800's.

While in the past, he comes across a band of outlaws, who become obsessed with his "machine." He also meets the residents of a small town, who believe him to be the devil, as well as a woman (Belinda Bauer) and the local padre (Ed Lauter).

The entire time, "Swan" is unaware that he is in the past. He eventually falls for the woman, and desperately tries to get away from the villains.

There are some problems with the movie. First of all, this movie gave no time to the romantic subplot. It was like they met, and jumped into bed as soon as possible. There was no development into the storyline at all.

Another problem is that the movie didn't spend enough time in the present to show the search for the racer. You got a couple of scenes where the friend tries to contact "Swan" over a CB radio, and that's it.

I could not connect with any of the characters. "Swan" seemed to settle into his situation a little too easily if you ask me. I also didn't like that he never really realized that he was in the past. Not once did you see anything that would hint at it until he found something with the date on it.

There are some fairly good performances in this movie. There are also some lackluster ones as well. Ward and Baur were easily the best, although their romantic subplot seriously lacked. On a romantic level, the chemistry between the two was just not there. I also think that the outlaws were not evil enough. You just could not hate them There was some fairly good action in this movie. It wasn't perfect though. You got a lot of chases, especially when "Swan" came across the outlaws for the first time. You also get some gunfights, but nothing spectacular.

Music for this movie was written by Michael Nesbith, best known as a member of the 1960's band, The Monkees. The music he composed certainly had an 1980's feel to it. The music was not memorable though, and did not sound like anything the Monkees would have done.

The only thing when it comes to wardrobe is the protective suit worn by "Swan." Because it's an all-red, leather outfit surrounded by 1870's costumes. Other than that, nothing stands out.

Overall, it's not a bad movie. It is good enough for a time-waster. Just don't expect a blockbuster motion picture.

Classic Fred Ward Adventure Flick

[dst-thomas · 5/10 · 9 August 2004]

This film is a great example of what can be done with a low budget, decent story, and a great cast. The direction is broad, and at the same time both light-hearted and dark. I think it's a good example of balance in that regard. Please see my comments in the message board regarding the ending of the DVD version. I think you have to be able to remember back to the day - 1982 - to appreciate this movie. Superior low-budget time-loops starting with "The Terminator" were still 2 years away....

Sets time travel back by a century

[MartianOctocretr5 · 4/10 · 8 October 2007]

Well, it was a good idea. They just didn't do a lot with it. A guy on a motorcycle in the desert gets accidentally catapulted back in time by an experiment, and is himself unaware that this has happened.

I liked the people of the 19th Century town, and the chemistry between Lyle Swan (Fred Ward) and the local beauty there (Belinda Bauer) is a plus. Ward's acting is alright, playing the confused dummy lost in the past. However he is undermined by feeble scripting: neither his nor any other character grows or learns anything. The same jokes about futuristic marvels that he shows the astonished people get thin pretty fast, and some of the same dialog, like "Where's my bike?!?" even repeats.

There's only one common thread running through the story that has any meaning as far as the impact of time travel adventure goes, and if you blink, even that will zip by. A weak story that's just not written very well.

good film, even though both gene and roger disagreed with me

[len-26 · 16 July 1999]

The following comment includes a piece of the plot. If you plan to see the movie (and I recommend you do), do not read the rest of this.

Both Gene and Roger felt that the title character seemed stupid in that he didn't understand what had happened (i.e. that he went back in time) until the very end. I, on the other hand found it most believable. If you were lost in the desert, and you came across a _rural_ town, wouldn't it take quite a lot before you'd reach the conclusion "Oh, I must have gone back in time!"

Timerider

[d_m_s · 3/10 · 20 February 2015]

A so-so time travel film that sounds like it would be a lot more fun that what is actually is.

Unfortunately, despite trying, I can not get into the Western genre and after the first 10 minutes this film becomes a very sub-par Western film with the novelty element of someone who has gone back in time. The potential was there but it was not utilised. There whole time travel element is almost completely irrelevant to the storyline and is nothing more than an occasional novelty element in the storyline.

Lyle Swann is accidentally transported back to the Wild West and from that moment it's a simple case of boy meets girl, girl gets kidnapped by baddies, boy rescues girl. All rather dull.

A good deal of fun.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 26 May 2013]

Amusing cult flick combines sci-fi and the Western in this offbeat tale of a motocross racer, Lyle Swann (Fred Ward), who gets lost and wanders into the testing area of a time travel experiment. So good old Lyle is zapped back over a hundred years to the Old West where he confounds the locals with his outrageous (to them, anyway) get-up and his astounding vehicle, which slimy outlaw Porter Reese (Peter Coyote) wants to obtain no matter what.

The film is co-written (with director William Dear), produced and scored by ex - "Monkee" Michael Nesmith, and overall is pretty entertaining, even if it's doing a lot of standard fish-out-of-water humour. However, after a while it begins to take itself just a little too seriously. The viewer can also take issue with just how clueless Lyle remains about his situation. It never once occurs to him that he could have ended up in the past.

"Timerider" certainly features an impressive roster of character actors - Ward is likable in the starring role, the oddly matched Richard Masur and Tracey Walter are funny as bickering brothers, and Ed Lauter, L.Q. Jones, Chris Mulkey, and Macon McCalman are fine in supporting parts. Belinda Bauer is damn sexy in the part of a feisty female outlaw who becomes attracted to Lyle.

The camera-work and cinematography are first rate, and the scenery is beautiful to look at. The costumes are nicely done, as well. Nesmiths' score is catchy, funky stuff. There is some violence, but never much in the way of gore.

B movie enthusiasts will surely enjoy the premise of this little film, which does move along quite well and offer enough diverting set pieces and laughs to rate as acceptable entertainment.

Seven out of 10.

Waste of Time(-traveling)

[Coventry · 3/10 · 13 December 2009]

"Timerider" has one of the stupidest plot premises I ever beheld, but apparently the film nevertheless supports a loyal fan base and is considered a modest cult favorite. I thought it was boring, imbecilic and forgettable. All the more proof that the term "cult favorite" is widely open for personal interpretation. Bike-racing daredevil Lyle Swann (Fred Ward) loses his way during a test drive and passes through a scientific test area where he accidentally gets catapulted back in time to the year 1877. Of course, he's completely unaware of the troublesome situation he's in and when confronted with villainous cowboys and superstitious villagers that think he's "El Diablo", he only responds by pulling stupid faces. "Timerider" predates "Back to the Future", the milestone that single-handedly popularized the time-traveling concept in cinema, so it just ends up being a lame crossover between Sci-Fi and comedy. It's a very boring film that does nothing extraordinary or memorable. Lyle Swann only tries to recover his stolen motorcycle throughout the entire film and, in the end, he's rescued by a helicopter that got sent back in time as well. How stupid is that? The concept isn't properly worked out, neither and the plot is full of dreadful clichés and predictable twists. The futuristic guy on his bike is accepted amongst the townspeople rather quickly, rather than to continue regarding him as some sort of demon, and obviously the lead heroine later turns out to be his great-grandmother. There's one notably amusing sequence, when the gang of criminals that stole Swann's motorcycle – led by Peter Coyote – tries to operate it. Other than this short worthwhile interlude, "Timerider" is a dumb film that I cannot bring myself to recommend to anyone.

Another Fred Ward : Adventure

[georgeareed · 6/10 · 1 April 2018]

As a young boy watching the end credits roll, I so badly wanted the Adventure to continue. It did not. Not in movies anyway. But the book series most certainly has continued. As it turns out, this movie was based on a long-running series of books-- The Destroyer series by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir.

So, if you are looking for a hard-boiled, martial arts-rich, action-crammed, mystical espionage thriller novel from 1971, on which the 1985 movie, "Remo Williams: the Adventure Begins" starring Fred Ward of "Remo Williams: the Adventure Begins" fame, was loosely based, you should look no further than "Created, The Destroyer", book one of the Destroyer Series.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for a hard-boiled, martial arts-rich, action-crammed, mystical espionage thriller movie from 1985, gently based on "Created, The Destroyer", book one of the Destroyer Series by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir, you should, at that point, look no further than "Remo Williams: the Adventure Begins".

Both book and movie are quaint time capsules of their respective bygone eras, the former filled with "hoods", organized crime syndicates, and fresh memories of Vietnam, the latter with "thugs", sinister politicians, and Cold War mercenaries. And both feature "orientals". The chief of which, is Chuin, Remo's aged Korean trainer, the standout character of the book(s?) and the movie. He is a caricature to be sure, laden as he is with the folksy eastern mysticism, and a distaste for all things western, but with the improbable exception of our soap operas-- so he is at least a charming caricature.

There is some talk of a reboot of the movie, provisionally titled, "The Destroyer". Meanwhile, if you already revisited this bit of mid-eighties childhood kitsch and are looking for more, may I remind you of 'Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swan'. If "Back to the Future III" didn't quite do it for you, you have another option. This entry in Fred Ward's oeuvre notably also involves the word, "adventure" in the title. And a colon.

Jump higher....

[FlashCallahan · 4/10 · 7 January 2012]

Lyle, a motorcycle champion is travelling the Mexican desert, when he find himself in the action radius of a time machine.

So he find himself one century back in the past between rapists, thieves and murderers....

The thing that is wrong with this movie, and what deters it from other schlocky eighties movies of this nature, is the fact that there is no characterisation, no real story, no narration.

The film at times doesn't know what to do with itself, so spends the time with Ward riding his bike to one situation that ends with a comedy moment, or with an action moment.

But the most irritating thing about this movie is that not once does Swann ask what year he is in, thus making the title of the film pointless.

There are a couple of good scenes, bloody boots and Coyote trying to start the bike, but it really doesn't hold a candle to cult movies like Zone Troopers or Solarbabies.

Crazy Monkey Experiment Sucks Motorcycle Back 100 Years

[commanderstraker-1 · 6/10 · 4 May 2006]

Time Rider made today would be a great film. Somehow the creators of this movie were so wrapped up in showing us how the people in 1870 reacted to modern marvels such as pre-packaged granola snacks and cyalume light sticks that they forgot about the acting and building a better script. Fred Wards continual sweating and saying things like "Where's my bike" and "I gotta get outta here" just don't hold you for 90 minutes. Then there's Peter Coyote (wasted here) gritting his 50 or so gold fillings while saying "That's mine, that's mine" The premise here is good and the film entertaining but another 15 minutes of character building and a better use of Swan's gadgets would have been a big help. 6 out of 10. Re-write the film and put "Arnold" on the bike and you may just have something here!

Misses the mark, but. . . .

[filmbuff-31 · 5/10 · 12 January 2006]

When I first saw this movie I was a junior or senior in high school. Back then, the story seemed inventive and imaginative. Now, as an adult, the movie's glaring weaknesses are apparent to me. The lack of plot development is the biggest weakness. I would have liked to see greater story development with a concept this original. What happens to Lyle Swann--what sort of adjustments does he make--as he is forced to live in the wild world of 1877, a world totally alien to him and his machine? As it is, the story is stripped of nearly all its thematic elements as we are left with the thrill of the chase. Even the girl seems thrown in as an afterthought.

Probably the only good reason to watch this movie is to see Belinda Bauer. The producers--consciously or unconsciously--must have realized this, as Belinda Bauer is given top billing over Fred Ward, who plays the hero of the story. Curious in a film that purports to be the adventure of Lyle Swann. Bauer, true to her billing, does not disappoint. Her character is tough and she is appropriately gorgeous, the kind of woman any man would fight for.

What started out as a great idea was oversimplified and falls short of the mark. Nevertheless, I'm giving this movie two stars because I am a big fan of Belinda Bauer!

I grew up on this movie.

[feketerobi · 10/10 · 24 August 2003]

I loved every minute of it, when HBO showed Timerider, I watched it everytime like I see it the first time, it perfectly fit my interest in motorcycles, it was funny (poor old guy), endless enjoy watching it, Years after, I was searching to get this movie, had hard time to find it, and I bought it on a used video tape for $70 bucks, later I find it on DVD, I bought that too. I still watch it ones in a while.

If General Lee had that machine, we would have won the war.

[lastliberal-853-253708 · 6/10 · 22 December 2012]

My favorite Fred Ward movie is Remo Williams:The Adventure Begins. Of course, the adventure ended with that movie as well as they never did a followup. I have seen him in Silkwood and The Right Stuff as well. All of these movies, including this one were released about the same time (1982-1985). I don't know why I haven't caught him in anything since, but I certainly enjoyed that period of his career.

I really enjoy time travel movies. They don't have to be first quality, just the idea captivates me. When I watched this, I had just finished another time travel film with William Devane and Lauren Hutton (Timestalkers). Not first quality, but interesting nonetheless.

This one starts off with Swann (Ward) getting caught in a time travel test and being shot back to 1877 with his motorcycle and full gear. You can imagine the impact that had on an old Mexican.

Swann spends his time trying to figure out where he is, while he tries to escape the bad guy, played by Peter Coyote, who wants his "machine."

Interesting twist at the end of a mediocre, but fascinating movie.

Would have liked to see more of Belinda Bauer, but I'll have to check out her appearance in Winter Kills for that.

Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann

[phubbs · 4/10 · 19 August 2014]

How about that for a movie title then huh sounds like a children's weekday TV series on BBC1 or some cheesy children's adventure book. Looking at the movie poster really concrete's that theory, it looks like some hammy children's adventure book cover, like those old 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books, remember those? I half expected this to be an adaptation of a children's book but surprisingly it isn't...but the whole premise predates the 'Back the the Future' franchise which makes you think.

So basically a young Fred Ward plays the protagonist 'Lyle Swann', also known as the Timerider...kinda. During the Baja 1000 cross-country bike race he goes off course and ends up riding into a scientific experiment that has been set up to...errm send things back in time. Without knowing what's happened to himself Swann is now biking around the wild west of 1877 and naturally stumbles into all manner of problems with hilarious results. Well not really but you can guess the type of childish stuff that's gonna happen here right.

Without trying to sound too predictable myself, this movie could easily be a spin-off of sorts to the third 'Back to the Future' movie, watching this really made me wonder if Zemeckis took a bigass leaf out of its book. The start of the movie virtually shows us nothing more than the title character riding through the barren Mexican desert on his bike, literately that for around 20 minutes! oh and a touch of plot revolving around white coats and and their unprotected unguarded science experiment. Seriously they are conducting this major experiment in the desert yet there's no one there to safeguard it or keep people or roaming animals out the way.

Once in the wild west of Mexico Swann comes across all the things you'd predict he would such as bandits, outlaws, a lovely lady, priests and terrified locals. It is reasonably amusing how Ward's character doesn't know he's gone back in time, there are some nice moments based on that idea but most of what happens you can see coming a mile off like the locals thinking he's a demon from hell, Swann falling for the pretty female, the bad guys wanting his bike etc...I can't really complain about the clichéd plot line because the film was made in 82 and back then this wasn't clichéd or predictable, ditto the situations Swann gets into, nothing original or particularly exciting but back in the day it would have been different.

I did like the twist ending surrounding his great great grandmother and father, bit of a time paradox thinker which shows that had Swann never gone back in time he would have never existed. There are some loop holes though like the fact his dirt bike get left behind, it gets destroyed but its still back in time...so wouldn't that alter history somewhat? Then there's the usual old silliness of all the outlaws shooting at Swann on his bike yet failing to hit him every time. I also liked the bit of dialog from Peter Coyote (the grizzled baddie) saying had the south (Dixie) had the bike they would have won the civil war...not too sure how a dirt bike would have won them the war to be honest. Funny how the bad outlaws in this movie are from the south, because anyone from the south at that time was obviously bad.

Another thing I noticed towards the end of the movie which made me sit upright was the death of Coyote's villain (spoiler alert). In one sequence this baddie is suppose to get killed by a chopper tail rotor which is rescuing Swann. Now you see his final moment with a close up of his face, then it cuts away to screaming, but seconds later you see the character alive and well whilst you still hear his screaming in what appears to be a huge editing blunder. Either that or I'm simply mistaken which I really don't think I am because hey...its me.

Yep I'm sure there are some folk out there remember this and will be outraged at the fact I'm saying its a dull bland boring ride. Unfortunately its just that...its just really unexciting without much genuine action to keep your attention. Ward is stoic as ever and Coyote hams it up nicely with plenty of snarling alongside a western drawl, but watching some dude bounce around on his dirt bike like Evel Knievel whilst slack jawed yokels attempt to shoot him gets mighty lame mighty fast. The story only becomes really interesting right at the very end with the nice time paradox twist, up to that point its no way as cool as the movies poster makes it out to be.

4.5/10

Comments and Goofs - Time Travel Paradox

[berryware · 28 March 2002]

What a fun movie. I think this is the first time travel movie I had ever scene as a kid. Got me hooked on sci fi! It was fun simply due to surprise and comedic element of persons in the past discovering technolgies from the future. Such as the Peasent puts on cycle helmet and is blasted by rock music, and the sight of the helicoptor at the climactic end sequence.

Goof - Time Travel Paradox in movie

Lyle Swann says to Belinda earlier in the movie that the pendant he wears is from his great grand mother. At the end of the movie, Belinda snatches the pendant from the neck of Lyle as he is being lifted by the helicoptor. (The temporal police will have a field day with this one.) The pendant can't exist. It is in the eternal time loop. It was never created, only passed person to person until traveling back in time. Think about that one.

Forgettable time travel pic

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 2 August 2022]

A strange little action/time travel flick of 1982, with Fred Ward playing a motorbike riding ace who wanders into a secret experiment and gets sent back to the Wild West, bike in tow. What follows is rather generic and feels a lot like a TV movie, the romance with Belinda Bauer taking up much of the running time. A pity, as there are plenty of familiar faces being wasted in support here; no wonder it's forgotten these days.

In the right place at the wrong time

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 20 January 2017]

"Timerider" has one of the really killer movie posters. A motocross spaceman, horse-mounted posse in pursuit, the glowing laser grid design like an Omni magazine cover; it's first-rate advertising that really sells you on the movie (one that's taken me a few years to get my hands on).

This is exactly the kind of thing you'd stumble on in a video store as a kid. B-movie to its core, it doesn't complicate matters with intricate plotting; just a simple fish-out-of-water story (as simple as a high-tech biker in the Old West can be anyway). No one among this cast has any illusions that they're making high art, and that's a big part of what makes this work.

Once the movie actually gets going (the opening is bogged down by POV riding shots, although they're attractive) this is a breezy distraction. There are plenty of other movies that don't live up to their one-sheets, but I dig this one. It's a relic of its time and sensibilities, and I think that's the best part.

7/10

It's a time travel movie. Fun stuff

[amadeuseisenberg · 5/10 · 22 January 2022]

Another fun time travel movie. I just wish the main character wouldn't have been such a wuss and would have gotten over the fact that everyone has guns and is killing each other. And we never actually got to see when he finds out that he went back in time. It is clearly implied that he found out later, but hell, the movie even ended before he got back to his own time. However, time travel movies are bound to entertain and this one is no different.

No major must-see, but suitably enjoyable; we get what we came for

[I_Ailurophile · 6/10 · 26 November 2023]

I've got to hand it to Michael Nesmith, his flavorful synth-driven score for this 80s flick is utterly delightful, and possibly the single strongest facet of these ninety minutes. The fact that the Monkees mainstay also co-wrote this romp, and had a hand in producing it, shows that there was much more to the man that I'd have ever known before I sat to watch. Throwing together time-travel science fiction and the western, it's safe to say that 'The adventure of Lyle Swann' is a bit of silliness built purely for fun. Even with that in mind I don't think this is without its flaws; the dialogue and scene writing are often very clunky and unwieldy, if not outright forced, as if Nesmith and filmmaker William Dear had a hard time fitting all the pieces together and making it fluid. While the western adventure remains intact this does mean that any intended humor is rather dampened; moreover, the plot is decidedly light and goes nowhere fast, least of all in the first half. This is a flick that's trusting in we viewers to get swept up in the spirit of it all rather than look to any details, and it surely is better that way since some of the details are kind of troubled. Rest assured that 'Timerider' is still definitely a good time with a fair bit of cleverness, if falling short of being a must-see.

Beyond the root ideas the writing may stumble a bit, but there really are terrific ideas here in the overall narrative and in the scene writing, with some especial highlights to come in the tale of a modern dirt bike racer who is accidentally transported to the Old West. All the while this is well made in every other regards, including not least superb art direction, costume design, and stunts and effects. Dear's direction and all the acting are solid, helping to make up for a script that's a little less than perfect as everything looks and sounds good more than not. True, this lacks any major spark of brilliance, and up until the last act - the last sixth of the runtime, if we're being honest - it lacks the energy and vitality to really foster the engagement and excitement that it ideally should have had. Simply put, the feature lacks the punch to make a significant lasting impression. Even with distinct weaknesses and shortcomings, though, the result is reasonably entertaining; we get what we came for, warts and all. All told this is hardly something one needs to go out of their way to see, but the title has no illusions about being something it's not, and it makes the most of the space it's given to play in. It's surely suggested most for those who are fans of the folks involved, but if you're looking for something light and uninvolved, 'Timerider: The adventure of Lyle Swann' is fairly enjoyable if you do come across it.

Timerider is more of a Timewaster

[TheFearmakers · 5/10 · 11 December 2021]

Two years before REPO MAN, executive producer Michael Nesmith also co-wrote and composed a crunchy rock guitar score for a low-budget time-travel action flick TIMERIDER: THE ADVENTURE OF LYLE SWANN, starting out with titular dirt-bike champ Fred Ward's perspective of a desert race course that we learn... cutting to and from the interior of a nearby scientific center... has a metallic device that's set up to...

Well long story short, Swann winds up in the 1870's post-Civil War Wild West, making TIMERIDER "that Western with a dirt bike" movie co-starring Belinda Bauer as the Arizona past's tough Mexican firebrand Claire Cygne, who, less than an hour after seeing our muscular hero skinny dipping, gets his clothes off again for a literal roll in the hay...

In fact, she's the only person unafraid of this strange man and machine: Peter Coyote's gang of bickering outlaws and the residents of a small town with priest Ed Lauter and sheriff L. Q. Jones initially thought the red-suited/red-helmeted rider was the devil himself... until the good guys warm up and team up to rid the outlaws for keeps...

Unfortunately the final act is a dull talky standoff where both the girl and bike are captured, and, once Swann gets both back, there's not much movie left.

back to the future without the Delorean

[helpless-dancer · 7/10 · 19 December 2009]

Most excellent madcap drama containing quite a few good one liners, my fave being "did you see that machine spit at me?". Chock full of cool characters ranging from the totally homicidal gang leader and two witless helpers played by dumb and dumber to the coolly clueless motocross racer caught in a warp he never quite got his head around. The action never let up from the opening frame until the last minute when the lustful gang leader finally cut a deal with the owner of the machine and the audience was treated to a truly rousing, hair raising grand finale. I love this genre of film but usually feel short changed after watching one: not so with Timerider. Beautiful scenery, good acting, and an outlandishly ludicrous story made for one and a half hours of dee-light.

Michael at his best

[edwardscarrie42 · 10/10 · 13 September 2002]

This is a great, quaint, subtle movie that has some off the hip plot lines and comedy that hits you straight in the face. It makes a great Friday night at home, with friends movie get together. Show "Elephant Parts" first and hang on for a grovy evening.

What Fun Little 80's Sci-fi Adventure Western Gem With The Great Fred Ward.

[lukem-52760 · 7/10 · 22 June 2023]

The late-great Fred Ward stars as Lyle Swann a champion dirt bike rider that accidentally crosses paths at the exact same time that an experimental time travel device is activated & he's sent way, way back to the wild west days.

I've only just discovered this early 80's gem, I'm a huge fan of the late-great Fred Ward & had to check this one out. Fred Ward is one of my top 5 fave actors of all-time. I grew up watching Fred in the Classic Tremors, & love most of his films such as Tremors 2, Southern Comfort, Remo Williams, Off Limits, Uncommon Valor & more!!!

I loved seeing the unique, rugged & charming Fred Ward pop up in all types of movies & genres, he had a twinkle in his eye & a blue collar guy exterior that helped him land roles that fit him perfectly. Earl Bassett from Tremors is Fred Ward at his absolute best, where character & actor was so perfectly matched.

Time Rider is real fun, low-budget 80's gem that is full of fantasy & adventure as unlucky & pretty useless Lyle Swann is lost in time. Ward plays off-road dirt bike champion Lyle Swann as a pretty useless hero, he's definitely a fish-outta-water character that is driving around the deserts, hills & canyons of the old wild west of the 1800's & comes across a trio of Outlaw bandits that witness him on his motorbike (they call it his Machine) & are then hunting him down because they want it. Lyle ends up in a small town run by great character actor Ed Lauter (Death Wish 3, Death Hunt) & a stunningly beautiful & very strong minded lady Claire played by Bellinda Bauer, a very well written strong female character indeed, she's definitely Not a damsel in distress, she's a fighter & can handle all type of guns!!! There's some other recognisable faces from the 80's with Peter Coyote as the main villain Outlaw on Lyle's trail & makes a very funny villain & his right-hand man played by another 80's character actor Richard Masur (The Thing) all make fun character here. Time Rider is just a very fun good-time of a movie, nothing spectacular but just damn good & definitely cult favourite material. Lyle Swann makes for a fun image & contrast to the old grubby west, he's in a bright red biker outfit with a cool futuristic helmet & his trusty upgraded bike.

I enjoyed the lighthearted fun of this adventure that mixed the old west with futuristic time-travel science fiction, way before Back to the Future did it.

Lyle Swann is a fun, dim-witted but very likable main character, of course Fred Ward made the guy a very down-to-earth blue collar guy.

Lyle is on the run with his pretty futuristic bike & really doesn't know what the hell is going on but just wants to get home. There's fun action & a good 80's score & a very enjoyable Fred Ward to keep it all light entertainment.

Simply low-budget scrappy adventure fun.

cool time travel

[snowalker-1 · 26 March 2006]

Timerider is a fun movie to watch. It's a good movie to watch with kids on a rainy day. Some of the content is a little adult, but not over the line. It's not a billon dollar pick, but it has some nice special effects. You will see some familiar faces when they were young, and the acting they really tired. I liked the movie, and hope it sparks the fire that leads someone to become a "timerider". I would not say run out and buy it, but if someone has a old VHS of it, watch it! I think even hardcore si-fi fans like me will get a kick out of it. Maybe its just me, but I thought the soundtrack was pretty good. It fit the mood of the movie. Only downside is there is a lot of rerun footage.

Lots of hokey fun

[Bernie4444 · 7/10 · 28 April 2024]

Suspend yourself for a time. Watch motocross goat roper style.

Lyle Swann (Fred Ward) rides his bike off-road and by accident back a century. There he encounters Some bad characters including Peter Coyote and Ed Lauter who covet his machine and a woman Belinda Bauer that covets his... well, not his bike. Will he come out of both encounters unscathed? Does he ever hear the truth of his situation or will he be lost forever "a stranger in a strange land?"

Maybe not the best production. However, it is quite fun watching them go through the motions. It is fun to see top actors from different films all come together for this one. You may find out what happened if you stick your nose into the situation.