In Los Angeles, black motorcycle police officer Mark Johnson patrols gang-infested neighborhoods with his white partner and best friend, Jeff McMillan. One afternoon, Mark has a run-in with a gang known as The Virgins, whose leader, Big Donnie, is taken aback by the policeman's understanding, dignified demeanor despite the gang's constant derision. When Mark advises Donnie not to continue to allow his heavily pregnant girl friend, Judy, to ride a motorbike, the gang leader agrees. Later, after Donnie actively seeks Mark out for advice, the Virgins' second-in-command, Kenny, reacts with outrage. In retaliation he tracks Mark down, but not finding the policeman at home, angrily beats up Mark's girl friend Margret instead. Kenny then goes to Donnie's house and after convincing Judy to ride with him, purposely causes an accident, hoping to injure her. After learning of the attack on Margret, Mark searches for Kenny and the two men confront each other after a wild cycle chase. Although Kenny succeeds in slashing Mark's throat, the policeman overpowers the biker and takes him into custody before being rushed to a hospital where doctors save his life, allowing him to return to patrolling the streets.