Chinese citizen Zhang Xue, founder and CEO of ZXMoto, entered the Guinness Book of Records after completing a motorcycle ride of 40.74 kilometers directly on water.
This feat was achieved on Sunday (the 25th) on the Jinjiang River in Mayang, Zhang's hometown in Hunan province. The achievement surpassed the previous record of 31.8 km, becoming the longest distance covered by a modified motorcycle on open water.
Zhang started his run at 11:00 and finished the route in 32 minutes without stopping. The route included eight out-and-back sections and seven turns along the river, with an average speed of about 76 km/h.
The motorcycle used was the ZXMoto MX450, an off-road model that the brand continues to develop but which was specially adapted for swimming and movement on the water surface. The motorcycle gains speed on land before entering the water. The front is equipped with a ski attached to the fork, which provides balance and control.
The drive system works as follows: the rear wheel pushes water backward, creating thrust, while buoyant elements help keep the motorcycle on the surface. The most challenging part is the turns, which require precise control of the accelerator and weight distribution so that the motorcycle does not lose speed or sink.
Since the MX450 was prepared exclusively for this crossing, its characteristics do not reflect the capabilities of the standard model. After the test, Zhang handed the motorcycle over to the local government. This record concludes a history that began in 2009 when Zhang, at the age of 22, attempted to cross the water on a makeshift modified motorcycle, fell four times, and covered only 20 meters.
A former mechanic who left school, he founded ZXMoto in April 2024. In March of this year, the brand won two races in the World Superbike Championship in Portugal, marking the first victory for a Chinese manufacturer in this category.