XDL Motorcycle Stunt Riders are Pleasing Crowds

23 Jun 2010

The XDL challenges a rider's ability to control a 454 pound machine.

What started in the streets as a menace to the rules and regulations of the road is now the fastest growing sport in the motorcycle industry. If you didn't catch it we are talking about stunt riding, more specifically stunt riding in the XDL series. XDL stands for extreme drift league because in 2005 when the series first started it was a combination show including car drifting and street bike freestyle (stunt riding). While this event didn't quite work, the following year it gave birth to the XDL we know today, a series of stunt riding exhibitions that involve a plethora of challenges testing a rider's ability to control a 454 pound machine.

XDL at Los Angles Toyota Speedway in Irwindale

This year XDL is a 5 round series making stops in Daytona Beach, Lake Havasu, Nashville, Los Angles, and Indianapolis. Each stop tries to incorporate a more urban setting emphasizing fan accessibility. Traditional motorsport events are on tracks "out in the sticks" which is exactly what XDL creators are trying to avoid. Their intention is to keep stunt riding close to where it was created, but in a safe controlled environment where the athletes and spectators are not in any danger. This way athletes will be able to show exactly what they are made of. The beauty of the XDL series is that it requires no course work which is indicative of other freestyle exhibitions. A patch of pavement 100'X300' and custom sport bikes are the only ingredients to the madness.

XDL stands for extreme drift league because in 2005 when the series first started it was a combination show including car drifting and street bike freestyle

This year at XDL there are several components that make up each event. As always there is the individual freestyle where riders must pack in their best run into two minutes and they are judged based on their performance. The results from the two minute run determine the overall point's winner at the end of the series. Other than the individual freestyle there is Aprilla all-star challenge, Freestyle burnout comp, speed and strength sickest trick, team battle, K&N circle challenge and for the first time a woman's freestyle competition.

This past weekend of June 19 on Saturday XDL came to Los Angles Toyota Speedway at Irwindale for two days of street bike freestyle. Nick Brocha placed first followed by point's leader Bill Dixon and third was Luke Emmons for the men's individual freestyle. These top placing athletes are judged on flow difficulty and overall but what sets them apart from the other riders is their innovative style and trick sets. In the women's cup it was a K&N sandwich with rider Brandy Valdez in first and rider Alicia Speck in third. In speaking with K&N rider Alicia she could not have been happier to be able to participate in an XDL event. She is really amazed in how far the sport has come especially in regard to the skills of her fellow female competitors. This event promises to provide more entertainment and surprises in the following competition and years to follow.

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