Back in 2015, we all watched in awe when stunt rider, Robbie Maddison, rode a “slightly” modified KTM two-stroke dirt bike on the big waves of Tahiti. He made them seem like liquid sand dunes. Titled Pipe Dream, the YouTube video has garnered more than 10-million views in just a couple of days after its release.
Just recently, one vlogger in Indonesia had a similar idea. Unlike Robbie Maddison, whose exploits were backed by a big sponsor (DC Shoes), a big budget and professional crew, “Bapak Mustofa Kepala Jenggot” (The bearded Mustafa) only had his bike, his creativity, and his buddies. The intrepid rider converted his Yamaha NMax into a jetski, and thankfully filmed his attempt at emulating Maddison.
There couldn't be a more appropriate choice of bike. Riders often call maxi-scoot style motorcycles like the Nmax jetskis. This is because their thick fairing prevents the rider from seeing what the front wheels are doing. It doesn't help that the Nmax's handlebars are shaped like a jetski's too.
From what we can see, it looks like most of the machine has been kept stock. The front wheels are still attached to the bike, used to steer even in the water. Helping it float are what appear to be large PVC pipes and possibly even some wood serving as pontoons. We're not quite sure if it's still the stock engine, but the driveline has definitely been modified to accommodate a shaft, which spins a propeller blade. Finally, the exhaust has also been modified, raised higher to prevent water from entering.
In the video, Mustofa is “riding” the waves of the beautiful beaches of Prigi, about 750 kilometers south of Jakarta. He even gladly took a passenger to experience what's it like riding a scooter in the sea.
We've seen a Yamahonda Dreamax, an electric submarine, and even waterproof mopeds, but this build is certainly the craziest yet.
Is this something Pinoy bike builders can do or even improve upon? We could certainly use an amphibious Nmax in the Philippines come monsoon season.
