Zhang Xue sets new world record for motorcycle travel on open water

Zhang Xue, founder of Zhang Xue Motorcycles, successfully set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by a modified motorcycle on open water. The event, held in Hunan Province, China, saw Zhang cover 40.74 kilometers, surpassing the previous record of 31.8 kilometers.

The vehicle used in the attempt, an MX450 prototype, was heavily modified by Zhang's engineering team. The motorcycle was equipped with custom steel pontoons and an enlarged paddle-style rear tire to generate enough lift to plane across the surface. The team spent several months refining the vehicle's aerodynamics and buoyancy to ensure it could maintain speed despite the complex water conditions.

This success marks a personal milestone for Zhang, who failed a similar attempt 17 years ago. In 2009, at age 22, he attempted a water-crossing stunt that ended in multiple falls. Guinness World Records officials were present on-site to verify the telemetry and distance, officially certifying the record.