This is the Yamaha Tricker promotional video I remember seeing when they had an exhibition at Berjaya Times Square here in Kuala Lumpur. That video has stuck in my mind for years. I finally found it on Youtube.

Watch as professional trials rider Takumi Narita and Ryo Narita fling the Yamaha Tricker and Yamaha Tricker Pro around at a closed stadium like there’s no tomorrow. Who wouldn’t want one after watching the video? Enjoy!

Don’t try this at home!

SOURCE: YOUTUBE

バイカーブードゥー

Not seen or heard of much since, in 2001 Yamaha decided to build a BMX-inspired motorcycle as a concept bike – The Tricker. We saw more of another concept, the Air Tricker which later became a production bike.

Yamaha also had a short-lived project in the 1970s where they manufactured BMX-style bikes for children who wanted a motorcycle (back then scramblers were the rage), but could only afford a bicycle. The Yamaha BMX bikes were painted in a distinctive yellow colour. As we know from Joe Kidd on a Stingray, BMX has left quite a lot of influence on the 2-wheel world.

SOURCE: BMX MUSEUM, YAMAHA

バイカーブードゥー

BMX is an acronym for “Bicycle Motocross“. Joe Kid on a Stingray: The History of BMX documents the evolution of a sport created by children in the 1970s who began modifying their Schwinn Stingray bicycles to look like motorcycles. This documentary is the first film to ever take a serious look at the history and evolution of BMX bicycle riding. It covers the streets of suburban neighbourhoods of the 60s to today’s X-Games type coverage of stadium-packed Dirt, Street and Halfpipe madness.

The sport of BMX was and is driven by individuals. BMX was not created by a corporation. Instead, corporations based their advertising on the lifestyles of these individuals. The film captures the kinds of stories which couldnt have come from a marketing strategy, trend gurus or model clinics. Rather, from individuals who turned common street bikes into instruments demonstrating grace, strength and personal expression. It is this individualism and self-expression which makes the sport of BMX and this film so unique.

People like Scot Beithaupt who started the first organised races in Long Beach in 1970 to Bob Haro who pioneered BMX Freestyle riding and created the first BMX Freestyle bike, to Matt Hoffman whose personal sacrifices helped propel BMX stunt riding into the spotlight are all covered in JKOASR: The History of BMX. These are just some of the people who helped make BMX a unique subculture.

Joe Kid on a Stingray – The History of BMX allows everyone from veteran BMX-ers to modern day kiddies a chance to re-live these historic moments and stories explained by the sports most influential riders to that they can understand what really happened in the evolution of BMX.

The directors have assembled a 30-year timeline packed with rare archival footage and interesting interviews to create a film which goes in-depth, exploring the history, trends, stars and current direction of BMX stunt riding and racing. Joe Kid on a Stingray – The History of BMX delivers a historical perspective to the sport of BMX, but brings it to you in such a way that makes you feel like you were there.

Whilst in the midst of production, producers Mark Eaton and John Swarr began to wonder who would best represent what they considered to be a boldly individual and hardcore person to narrate the film. The only person currently in the spotlight that made sense was a former BMX racer, Jesse James of Monster Garage fame. He embodies the ideals of BMX and has actually lived the BMX lifestyle. Former freestyle BMX-er Rockabilly Jay works at West Coast Choppers (Jesse James chopper shop) and helped make it happen. John Swarr and Mark Eaton sent a trailer of the film to Jesse James and this triggered Jesse to not only want in, but also to become the Executive Producer.

Running time for this movie is 90 minutes. It was nominated for Best Story & Best Picture at the 2005 X-Dance Film Festival and was the selected feature film for the 2005 Santa Barbara Film Festival. For more information check out www.joekidonastingray.com

“On Any Sunday”, a BMX-inspiring movie starring Steve McQueen referenced in Joe Kid on a Stingray is available on DVD from Amazon.com. Click on the links below to check and buy the DVD, via BikerVoodoo.com.

バイカーブードゥー

This is the Yamaha Tricker promotional video I remember seeing when they had an exhibition at Berjaya Times Square here in Kuala Lumpur. That video has stuck in my mind for years. I finally found it on Youtube.

Watch as professional trials rider Takumi Narita and Ryo Narita fling the Yamaha Tricker and Yamaha Tricker Pro around at a closed stadium like there’s no tomorrow. Who wouldn’t want one after watching the video? Enjoy!

Don’t try this at home!

SOURCE: YOUTUBE

バイカーブードゥー

Not seen or heard of much since, in 2001 Yamaha decided to build a BMX-inspired motorcycle as a concept bike – The Tricker. We saw more of another concept, the Air Tricker which later became a production bike.

Yamaha also had a short-lived project in the 1970s where they manufactured BMX-style bikes for children who wanted a motorcycle (back then scramblers were the rage), but could only afford a bicycle. The Yamaha BMX bikes were painted in a distinctive yellow colour. As we know from Joe Kidd on a Stingray, BMX has left quite a lot of influence on the 2-wheel world.

SOURCE: BMX MUSEUM, YAMAHA

バイカーブードゥー

BMX is an acronym for “Bicycle Motocross“. Joe Kid on a Stingray: The History of BMX documents the evolution of a sport created by children in the 1970s who began modifying their Schwinn Stingray bicycles to look like motorcycles. This documentary is the first film to ever take a serious look at the history and evolution of BMX bicycle riding. It covers the streets of suburban neighbourhoods of the 60s to today’s X-Games type coverage of stadium-packed Dirt, Street and Halfpipe madness.

The sport of BMX was and is driven by individuals. BMX was not created by a corporation. Instead, corporations based their advertising on the lifestyles of these individuals. The film captures the kinds of stories which couldnt have come from a marketing strategy, trend gurus or model clinics. Rather, from individuals who turned common street bikes into instruments demonstrating grace, strength and personal expression. It is this individualism and self-expression which makes the sport of BMX and this film so unique.

People like Scot Beithaupt who started the first organised races in Long Beach in 1970 to Bob Haro who pioneered BMX Freestyle riding and created the first BMX Freestyle bike, to Matt Hoffman whose personal sacrifices helped propel BMX stunt riding into the spotlight are all covered in JKOASR: The History of BMX. These are just some of the people who helped make BMX a unique subculture.

Joe Kid on a Stingray – The History of BMX allows everyone from veteran BMX-ers to modern day kiddies a chance to re-live these historic moments and stories explained by the sports most influential riders to that they can understand what really happened in the evolution of BMX.

The directors have assembled a 30-year timeline packed with rare archival footage and interesting interviews to create a film which goes in-depth, exploring the history, trends, stars and current direction of BMX stunt riding and racing. Joe Kid on a Stingray – The History of BMX delivers a historical perspective to the sport of BMX, but brings it to you in such a way that makes you feel like you were there.

Whilst in the midst of production, producers Mark Eaton and John Swarr began to wonder who would best represent what they considered to be a boldly individual and hardcore person to narrate the film. The only person currently in the spotlight that made sense was a former BMX racer, Jesse James of Monster Garage fame. He embodies the ideals of BMX and has actually lived the BMX lifestyle. Former freestyle BMX-er Rockabilly Jay works at West Coast Choppers (Jesse James chopper shop) and helped make it happen. John Swarr and Mark Eaton sent a trailer of the film to Jesse James and this triggered Jesse to not only want in, but also to become the Executive Producer.

Running time for this movie is 90 minutes. It was nominated for Best Story & Best Picture at the 2005 X-Dance Film Festival and was the selected feature film for the 2005 Santa Barbara Film Festival. For more information check out www.joekidonastingray.com

“On Any Sunday”, a BMX-inspiring movie starring Steve McQueen referenced in Joe Kid on a Stingray is available on DVD from Amazon.com. Click on the links below to check and buy the DVD, via BikerVoodoo.com.

バイカーブードゥー