Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Xue has made history in the world of extreme sports by transforming a motorcycle into a functional motorboat. In his home county of Mayang, Hunan Province, he set a new Guinness World Record by traveling 40.74 kilometers across the surface of a river on a specially modified MX450 motorcycle. The enthusiast covered this distance—surpassing the previous world record of 31.8 kilometers by 9 kilometers—in approximately 32 minutes.
To keep the vehicle from sinking, engineers had to significantly overhaul its design. The 60-horsepower motorcycle was equipped with pontoons, an enlarged fuel tank, and a sealed, watertight enclosure for the powertrain. Propulsion was provided by the rear wheel, which was fitted with paddles, while a front ski allowed for steering. During his record-breaking run, Zhang Xue navigated eight distinct sections of the route and executed seven turns.
This achievement is the culmination of a 17-year journey. Zhang first attempted a similar stunt in 2009, using a homemade contraption on a television show. At the time, the 22-year-old fell into the water four times, managing to travel only 20 meters. However, these setbacks did not deter him; he continued to refine his machine, eventually returning to the challenge with a more professional approach.
After crossing the finish line, the record-holder rated his performance 99 out of 100—intentionally leaving one point off to ensure he wouldn’t become overconfident. According to Zhang, he deliberately refrained from reaching maximum speed, prioritizing safety above all else; he also chose his home region as the location for the run, aiming to draw global attention to the Mayan area.
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