Set in 1979, an unusually introspective high school student, Steve, gives an expose on progressive rock, and the book 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' in his bedroom. Randy, who races motorcycles, listens and is transformed by his words - a significant result considering that he actually came to Steve's door bearing a switchblade to avenge Steve for making moves on Randy's girlfriend. Underlying this confrontation (and its ebbing), is the role of class, and how it correlates to differing attitudes of 'purity' regarding motorcycles, music, and drugs of that era. The film ends as the two take the same pose as a 400 BC statue of Dionysus with Satyr, which inspired the film.