For those who appreciate the talent and nuances involved in the act, two-wheeler stunting is nothing short of a beautiful art. The practitioners of this difficult trade employ their skills to make ordinary machinery perform large-scale shows. They make their steeds do inconceivable things by maneuvering their machines acrobatically in tandem with their bodies, creating a sense of risk and danger that inevitably hypnotizes the audience.
A one-of-a-kind project spearheaded by TVS Racing is the wind under the wings of individuals who practice the art of stunt riding in India. It's called APP (Apache Pro Performance) and it showcases the Apache RTR Series motorcycles' prowess while also helping people connect to the brand's spirit - Racing DNA Unleashed.
Stunt riding is a somewhat lesser known sport in India, despite its global popularity. So when TVS Racing introduced the sport with the spectacular APPX (Apache Pro Performance X) event, which broke the record for India's longest non-stop bike stunt show, it ignited the stunting community's desire to pursue the sport with recklessness. Amateur practitioners began to inquire about honing their techniques and participating in the sport in a more professional manner. Clearly, India has a lot of potential for the development of this sport. So we spoke with members of the five teams that competed in the APPX in order to answer some frequent issues posed by aspiring bike stunters and offer them some advice and direction on how to proceed. Let's get started!
Let's start at the beginning: what does it take to become a stunt rider?
“It takes a lot of physical and mental endurance to pursue stunt riding,” says Zahid of Team Bangalore, “but that is just about the rider.” Time and money must be invested in order to pursue the sport.” Bunty from Team Delhi agrees with Zahid, saying that while the riders value their sport above all else, they also value the two-wheeler that will accompany them when they perform the acrobatics. “Can you tell me what it takes to be a stunt rider? The ideal bicycle! While the Delhi crew has honed their skills on the TVS Apache RTR, a wheelie may also be performed on a TVS Victor or an XL100.”
So, what exactly goes into creating the ideal bicycle?
Vikas from Team Indore says, "Great initial pickup, robust chassis, good brakes and shock absorbers are a prerequisite - both TVS Apache RTR 180 and 200 4V are fantastic picks in the category." Sounds like a lot of fun, but why are there so many reservations about the sport in India? Zahid feels solemn as he considers how the sport is misrepresented in the country due to irresponsible riders who perform in public places without permission. “The challenges are numerous,” Zahid explains. “To begin with, my family and close friends were not supportive of my decision to pursue stunt riding. Second, we were unable to secure sponsors at the outset and were forced to pool funds to purchase our bikes and other necessary equipment. We could only give an appropriate structure to our passion until the TVS Apache RTR brand began to help us.”
Stunt riding is well-known for its significant risk of injury. So, how do the world's best stunt riders deal with this?
“Injuries are a part of any sport, and we all had to deal with them early on in our careers. This is something for which we are constantly prepared. “Double-checking safety precautions and continuing to practice are the keys to minimizing injuries,” says Tony of Team Jaipur.
What type of preparation and commitment is required to compete in a large-scale event like the Apache Pro Performance X, where teams competed for five hours straight?
“Events like APPX are incredibly significant, where riders compete nonstop for 5 hours,” says Bunty of Team Delhi. To prepare for an event like this, make sure your bike is in good working order and does not break down during the event. DO NOT allow yourself to become dehydrated. Prepare a screenplay for all of the stunts you'll do at the event, and make sure your teammates are on the same page. Last but not least, don't be nervous; relax and enjoy the show!”
How about special moves? Is it true that distinctive moves help the troupe gain recognition?
“Signature maneuvers definitely offer us an advantage in terms of recognition. Our stunts are frequently videotaped and shared on social media. Stunt racers used to be inspired by international riders, but that is no longer the case. “Indian stunt riders are gaining recognition both inside the stunt riding fraternity and across the country,” says Vikas of Team Indore.
These signature moves are backed by some signature techniques which require specific modifications to the motorcycles.
So what are the modifications which facilitate such signature moves?
Biju from Coimbatore says, “The 12 Bar or Wheelie Bar modification is one such mod, made for wheelies done exactly at 12 ‘o’ Clock position. We place it just above the backlight. For doing a basic wheelie, you can use your footbrake but if you are doing a wheelie while standing, an additional handbrake is required which can be fixed close to the clutch. To perform freestyle stunts, an additional footrest can be fixed above the pillion rider’s footrest. Another modification is to create a tank dent so that riders can do the wheelies easily by sitting on the tank. Finally, we increase the number of teeth of the sprocket so that the initial pickup will be higher.”
These distinctive movements are accompanied by signature techniques that necessitate specialized motorcycle modifications.
So, what changes have been made to make such signature maneuvers easier?
“The 12 Bar or Wheelie Bar modification is one such mod, created for wheelies done exactly at 12 ‘o' Clock position,” explains Biju from Coimbatore. It's positioned slightly above the backlight. You can use your footbrake to do a basic wheelie, but if you want to do a wheelie while standing, you'll need an additional handbrake that can be attached next to the clutch. An additional footrest can be mounted above the pillion rider's footrest to do freestyle maneuvers. Another alteration is to make a dent in the tank so that riders can easily execute wheelies while sitting on it. Finally, we increase the number of teeth on the sprocket in order to increase the initial pickup.”
What distinguishes the Indian stunt scene from that of its international counterparts?
“Stunt riding in India is a unique notion that does not exist anywhere else in the world. Individual acts are increasingly taking primacy over ensemble performances around the world. “On the other hand, Indian teams pay the greatest emphasis on team cooperation and execution,” says Vikas.
Is there anything that aspiring stunt riders absolutely must have?
“When practicing stunt riding, always place a major importance on safety,” Zahid says. Do not rehearse in front of a crowd or in locations that could cause a commotion. Always wear safety equipment!”
We hope you found those answers to some frequent stunt riding inquiries helpful. If you're a budding bike stunt rider with further questions, leave them in the comments area below, and we'll try our best to have them addressed as quickly as possible.
