Modified Motorcycle Sets Record for Distance Traveled on Water

A motorcycle that rides on water

Truong Tuyet, founder of the company ZXMOTO, rode a modified MX450 motorcycle more than 40 km on the surface of the Shen River in Ma Yang County, Hunan Province, on October 25. This beat the old world record of 31.8 km for the longest distance on water by a modified motorcycle. The ride ended a challenge that began in 2009, when Truong first tried to ride on water and failed many times.

Key facts

• Distance ridden on water: more than 40 km
• Old world record: 31.8 km
• The MX450 has a single-cylinder engine made by Truong's company, with more than 60 horsepower
• In 2009, Truong fell into the water 4 times and reached only 20 m, against a goal of 26 m

How the bike works

The bike can speed up on land and then glide onto the river with a front ski that helps steer. Instead of gripping a hard surface, the rear tire pushes water toward the back of the bike, which creates thrust. This lets the MX450 keep moving across the river after it speeds up. The team also made the fuel tank bigger and the bike more waterproof, because the long challenge needed many river crossings rather than one non-stop run. Truong said he chose not to go too fast, because finishing safely was the top goal.

Why it matters

This record shows that changing an ordinary motorcycle can change where it is able to go. However, the record does not prove that this kind of modification makes regular motorcycles safe or practical for water travel or daily use on both land and water.

What to watch

• Whether Guinness officially confirms the new record
• Whether ZXMOTO shares the design with other riders or sells similar bikes
• How the engine handles water without letting it leak in over long distances