5/28/2023 0 Comments Snow stunts riders republicThe small handful of professional Russian riders enjoy performing in front of huge crowds around their massive country. We don’t see much of the Russian riders online since they normally don’t use Facebook – they have a different social media platform. Similar to Eastern Europe, Russians are a hardened, Do-It-Yourself group of riders, battling extreme weather and few stunt parts. Champion riders like Rafal Pasierbek and Aras Gibieza show us what stunt riding looks like when you don’t take anything for granted. They have a very close relationship with their motorcycles and ride every day to the fullest. Since their currency is weak, it’s hard to buy international stunt parts so many riders manufacture their own, specialized parts. When they move up to the big bikes, they are unstoppable. Like the Western Europeans, Eastern European riders are starting on small bikes, sometimes even mountain bikes. Never underestimate the determination of a stunter from a country like Poland, Lithuania or the Czech Republic! These boys and girls are in it to win it, through the sleet, snow, rain – not to mention expensive motorcycles and lack of stunt parts. Stunters end up riding in small cul-de-sacs or dead ends, which lends a hand to their style – technical and impressive! Also, most European stunts spots are smaller, most industrial areas and parking lots are securely gated and fenced due to the gypsy problem. Stunters learn on the small 50 or 125cc bikes and most of the skills transfer right over to the 600’s. While this might seem like a bummer, it gives stunt riders some amazing fundamental stunt skills from a young age. It’s common Europeans will start riding mopeds and scooters around 14-16 years old and not get a big bike until they are 18 or 21 in some countries. First, most of Europe has age restrictions on when you can start riding 600cc bikes. France does produce a high number of talented riders, but it’s not the water, there are other reasons why Frenchies know how to handle a motorcycle. Stunters say “there is something in the water” across the pond in France, which explains why so many killers come out of their stunt spots. While this might seem like obvious nonsense, wait until you see what stunters in other countries face. With no laws dictating what and when you can ride certain motorcycles, it’s fair game to stunt anything from a Honda CRF50 to BMW s1000rr. Beyond the gift of space American riders also enjoy their pick of any motorcycle on the market to stunt. After a decade American riders are still enjoying wide open space, practicing in large industrial lots. All throttle, 100% style, Americans really inspired an entire generation of riders to focus their moto-energy on learning tricks and stunts. American stunt riders started on this epic expanse of endless asphalt, pushing their 1998 Gixxer’s and F4’s to the max. The land of the free highways! We take our marvelous road system for granted, but having a huge, free, network of roads is truly and uniquely American. This month we’re going for a trip around the world to see how stunt riders develop style and the sport with what they have. Stunt riders around the world face some unique obstacles due to their country’s laws, urban planning and social mentality. The way our environment shapes our stun style is a bit more subtle but fascinating to explore. Survival of the fittest is pretty obvious – this isn’t easy and if you’re not down to come back crash after crash and spend long nights in the garage keeping your bike in one piece, you’re not going to make the cut. The sport, as a whole, abides by the harsh laws of nature: survival of the fittest and the fact that you’re a slave to your environment.
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