Motocross racer turned stunt rider, Robbie Maddison, has broken new ground in motorcycling by riding his top-secret water bike on giant Tahitian waves at the legendary Teahupo’o reefbreak. In this video titled “Pipe Dream,” the Australian daredevil powers his KTM 250 SX two-stroke water bike out into the Teahupo’o surfbreak where waves are known to grow upward of 20 feet high.

The revolutionary water bike design inspired by snow bikes, utilizes two skis for buoyancy and is powered by a paddle tire in the rear. It is also an amphibious design that allows the bike to be ridden on both water and land. The project was two years in the making and took its toll on both body and bike. Several different types of motorcycles were tested during development and prototypes were sunk no less than 30 times before an optimized design was produced that could handle the big waves of Tahiti.

During the filming, Robbie almost lost his life trying to get video footage riding an enormous wave. “When I went down, the bike hit me in the back and knocked the wind out of me.” Maddison says. “To be honest, when I saw that wave closing in on me, I thought that it could have been the end. As I was sucked under the water, I did my best to remain calm, but the thought that it could have been the end of me was racing through my head. It’s as close to a near-death experience as I’ve ever come.”

Onlookers gawk in amazement as Robbie Maddison sets up his two-stroke water bike for a ride on the waves. (Courtesy Transworld.net)

With this new water bike concept, we may be witnessing the emergence of an entirely new sport. Only time will tell if these new water bikes catch on and dirt bikes riding on water become a common occurrence at your local beach. All we know is, surfing has never looked more enticing. For more details about the making of this stunning video, check out the Transworld story.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.