Japanese Rider Pulls 13-Hour Wheelie For New Record

Masaru Abe has set a new world record for the longest continuous wheelie after riding his Yamaha Jog scooter on its rear wheel for a distance of over 500 km at the Kawaguchi Auto Race facility in Saitama, Japan. The precise distance covered by 33-year-old Abe is 500.5322 km, smashing the previous record of 331.0195 km set by motorcycle trials rider Yasuyuki Kudo in 1991. Abe was reportedly aiming for a 600 km wheelie, but after riding the scooter for 13 hours on one wheel, the pain and discomfort became too much.

Masaru Abe during his record wheelie attempt

He maintained a speed of 40 kmph with excellent body balance and throttle work lap after lap on the oval-shaped track. Two hours into the record wheelie, Abe experienced lower back pain and discomfort in his arms. Abe beat the previous record after riding the scooter for eight hours, 18 minutes and 43 seconds. He was able to continue for almost five more hours until he passed the 500 km mark.

Fuel was an issue during the record attempt and Abe's support crew reportedly had to run alongside and hand him a refuelling unit, which plugged into a quick-release dry coupling on the handlebar. Abe isn't the only rider who has been setting records on one wheel. In September 2016, twelve times world trials champion Dougie Lampkin wheelied the entire length of the Isle of Man TT course. In that feat, Lampkin became the first man to ever wheelie the 60.72 km mountain course.