Motorbike stunts

The stunt is a motorized discipline whose goal is to chain figures (tricks) on the rear wheel or front wheel, mostly on motorbikes. Although basically the purpose was to break records, the practice now falls more as a passion, a hobby between friends but also for various performances.

Origins

Such events appeared in the 1980s in the United States. Technically, the motorcycles of that time had become light enough to allow for the practice of figures such as wheelies, which consists of riding up on a rear wheel. The power to weight ratio, improved with technical help, gradually allowed the practice of other dramatic figures.

In 1980, the French stuntman Patrick Borny performed rear wheel stunts to show “incredible but true”. Richard Almet, a French motorcycle racer, impressed by the sport, popularized the discipline by launching its first performance at the Circuit Carole the following year; he became the first holder of the rear wheel speed record.

He set new record later, in 1985, at 205 km/h, and then in 1986 at 221 km/h. He was the one who popularized the discipline in France, but was dethroned some time later by Lawrence Aubujeau, the first Frenchman to exceed 250 km/h on the rear wheel.

Birth of a discipline

Although there are championships in the US, motorbike stunts are still not recognized as a sport in France; rather, the stunts are presented as a spectacle: the experienced drivers are part of shows at fairs or car or motorcycle rallies. If today’s stunt records are any indication, the notion of performance is important.

For several years stunt performers have been in the international media through television (”AB Motors”), the world-wide distribution of many different DVDs, and through often-visited websites.

With more and more followers among motorcyclists in search of thrills, practitioners find themselves, willingly, in abandoned industrial areas or parking lots indulging their passion. This is a good way for them to exchange tips and show their acrobatics, as well as show off their two-wheelers, which are usually specially prepared for the occasion.

The United States, ahead of practitioners at a managerial level, was the first country to adopt a federation. Following this, appropriate tracks were created, and the public began to recognize the sporty characters and spectacular stunts. Today many teams are spontaneously set up, organizing trainings, and possibly entertainment, in major cities. Many riders have a website with a forum to present their faces and share new techniques and experiments.

Controversy

Many riders do not practice stunt racing in a controlled environment. Doing demonstrations on the open road, whether before an audience or not, can be a source of danger to other road users. They attract attention by their irresponsible behavior and are apparently a vector image that can sometimes take in bad bikers.

The bike

The stunt motorcycle is usually a powerful sports bike (CBR 600 FS Honda, Kawasaki ZX6R) prepared in order to reduce injuries and to award the rider with the maximum torque. But practice with a stunt motorcycle can simply be unbridled.

This equipment is most often designated by English terms:

Fairings removed (Street) or only the side shrouds (Street Rican). This is in order not to damage any fairings or the beauty of the bike.

Handlebar “street” or handlebar strap. The original handlebars are replaced by a flat handlebar and wider rights or bracelets; a rear brake control can be placed on the handlebars for easy maneuvering.

Transmission shortened. This is accomplished mainly by modifying the report of the pinion/crown to emphasize the torque and easy removal of the front wheel. The crowns can sometimes be quite dramatic in diameter (more than double the original model) approaching that of the rear wheel.

Bar Curling. Typically steel is welded directly to the frame at the rear of the bike so the rider can raise the bike up and perform tricks when it is vertical.

HB or Hand break. This is a dual brake handlebar to be able to brake to perform tricks like DSLs (Standing on the saddle), Fenwicks, Special K, and others. It serves to avoid looking back.

Crash cage. A protection in the form of metal bars take their place on the most sensitive parts of the engine on both sides of the bike, but sometimes around the handlebars (like the protections used for motorcycle schools).

Tank. Usually flattened and equipped members of various materials (Grip surf, skate, and tube) in order to sit on when performing tricks like Fenwick (both legs above the handlebars), etc.

Pegs. These are footrests made of small metal tubes attached to the wheel axles and allow stunt riders to execute figures.

Tires. The rear tire is often slightly deflated to obtain better adherence when making tricks that are more complex.

The Tricks (or figures)

The tricks are basically wheelies, stoppies and burns.

The wheelie is moving on the rear wheel, either rolling or making figures.

The stoppie is to roll over the front wheel (taking the momentum) and then brake hard using the front brake to straighten the bike. This applies to either rolling or making figures.

Burn is to run the rear tire fast enough to “drifter”, performing the drift on the spot or by moving. The burn is also a break when the tire is worn.

There are many variations and levels to these figures, some higher and some lower in difficulty:

Albatross is a wheelie sitting on the tank on two legs apart on the sides of the tank.

Coaster is to evolve a wheelie (see definition above) to disconnect (rear wheel decoupled from the engine); the concept of balance is much more important than during a “simple” wheelie.

Coaster watata is to move in to disconnect wheeling and put the bike out during a wheelie.

To mop is to make a wheelie without taking the bike by the handlebars, trailing on the ground behind.

Christ air is to move up on the saddle without holding the handlebars (the two wheels are on the ground).

One Hand is to perform a stoppie wheelie with only one hand on the handlebars.

No hand is to evolve a wheelie without holding the handlebars.

No football is to evolve a stoppie wheelie by having one’s feet in the air.

Circle is to make a wheelie, turning in circles; one can apply many of these figures in a circle.

Candy bar is to make a wheelie with one foot on the saddle and the other on the handlebars.

Special K is to make a wheelie with one leg over the handlebars and the other is 90° in a vacuum.

Fenwick is to perform a stoppie wheelie with both legs over the handlebars.

Twelve o’clock is to make a wheelie at 90° (rollerblading); mostly the rear fender rubs against the ground.

Seat or DSL (standing on the saddle) is to evolve a wheelie standing with both feet on the saddle.

Run is to conduct a burn while driving.

Curling is to rub the bar on the bitumen for the longest distance possible.

Gatherings

The Burns Day is one of the largest gatherings of stunt motorbikes in France. It is organized by the journalists of the magazine Moto & Motards.

The Bike Stunt Show is a gathering takes place annually, in June, on the Circuit Carole in Toulouse. It is the only stunt competition in France.