Bruce Dern is at his psychotic best as Keeg, leader of a biker gang and a white slave trader to boot. He realizes that a newcomer to his neighbourhood, an artist named Romko (Chris Robinson) has been sketching them, and he doesn't like this, so he plans on doing some serious damage to the mans' hands. Meanwhile, Romko is falling in love with local gal Lea (Melody Patterson of 'F Troop' and the trash flick "Blood and Lace"),who feels much guilt about the part she plays in Keegs' schemes. The most interesting thing of all when it comes to "The Cycle Savages" is the fact that it was executive produced by record executive (and later lieutenant governor of California) Mike Curb and legendary D.J. Casey Kasem (who also plays a small role). The movie is written and directed by Bill Brame, and is rather crudely and awkwardly done in its fight scenes. It does have one extremely tasteless scene that kicks up the sleaze factor a notch and which will make it worth watching for trash film fans. The lovely Patterson does a nude scene, which is a nice bonus, but ultimately it's too tastefully done to really satisfy some viewers. Otherwise, it's fairly grim, gritty stuff, but does not stand apart from any other biker film of the era. It's mostly watchable because of Derns' marvellously scuzzy performance; Robinson is much too stiff, but Patterson is quite appealing, and there's more eye candy in the form of Karen Ciral as the naive Janie, who has to suffer some pretty awful treatment from Keeg and gang. Maray Ayres is good as pathetic biker mama Sandy, and veterans Scott Brady and Steve Brodie make uncredited appearances as vice detectives. You're not likely to remember this film for long after it's over, but it's passable enough stuff that kills 82 minutes fairly well. Even at 82 minutes, one can feel the padding on this thing, but all in all die hard fans of the Bikesploitation genre may get a kick out of it. Six out of 10.

The leader of a biker gang (Bruce Dern) takes exception to an artist sketching them, so he makes plans to crush the artist's hands.

The film is cheap, with awful audio and terrible music. This was director Bill Brame's debut, though he had worked as an editor on "Star Trek" (and continued to be an editor for many years after). Although the movie has Roger Corman written all over it, this surprisingly is not one of his films.

We get some decent cast members here: Dern, Melody Patterson and even Casey Kasem (who doubles as executive producer). And there is some interesting conflict, but this is a largely disposable film.

Sketch artist Romko (a solid and likeable performance by Charles Robinson) runs afoul of a gang of vicious bikers led by the deranged and dangerous Keeg (Bruce Dern in top-rate intense freaky form) who don't like it when they catch him drawing pictures of them.

Writer/director Bill Brame relates the enjoyably sordid story at a constant pace, maintains a pretty harsh tone throughout, and stages the rough'n'ready fisticuffs with aplomb. Moreover, Dern attacks his trademark grungy hairball psycho role with characteristic lip-smacking gusto, the luscious Melody Patterson of "F Troop" fame contributes an appealing portrayal of the sweet Lea (and almost, but not quite bares her delectable wares while posing nude for Romko),famous disc jockey Casey Kasem has a cool cameo as Keeg's smarmy flesh-peddler brother, Maray Ayres smolders as foxy motorcycle mama Sandy, and Scott Brady pops up in an uncredited minor role as a gruff detective. Jerry Styner's groovy score hits the right-on funky-grinding spot. Cinematographer Frank Ruttencutter makes occasional exciting use of a hand-held camera. A fun drive-in flick.