This machine was built to be indestructible. It can also take one hell of a beating when it competes in some of the toughest stunt championships in the world. This is the 2009 XDL stunt-riding championship-winning machine, dubbed "the Tank" by its creators. It's definitely one of the toughest 600s you'll ever meet around the block.
Its pilot is thumb-throttle-crazed stunt genius Bill Dixon, a man who pushes his factory Yamaha to vicious extremes in astonishing displays of motorcycle control. He'll spend most of his time on one wheel as he climbs all over his custom stunt machine. They'll dance together like they're a match made in heaven. His moves are like poetry in motion, with the powerful crackle from the fiery R6 transmitting music out of the short FMF exhaust.
If you hadn't noticed already, Bill Dixon likes to go big, pulling tricks only a deranged individual would create in his mind. But for the XDL and Stunt Wars champion, this is just another day at the office. He likes to push his mind, body and machine to the maximum in a bid to pull off a trick that no one has ever done before.
Proof of this is our incredible cover shot. If pulling a 12 o'clock wheelie wasn't already difficult enough, Bill thought he'd make it interesting by performing it while facing the wrong way. There is a fine line between genius and mad-man, and I'm still undecided about Bill's label.
To pull off these amazing tricks on a motorcycle capable of withstanding the abuse, Bill teamed up with Florida's super-skilled engineer Bob Runman to build the ultimate stunt machine. "Teaming up with Bob and having his skills and facilities gave me the outlet to run free with my ideas," Bill says. "When he came in on the project, he made everything I wanted and made it strong. He's such a good machinist, a kind of genius."
You may think this is just a standard R6, but this bike has come a long way from its race track heritage. Now, this middleweight sportbike is happier ticking over at low RPM in first gear rather than being thrashed in sixth on the redline. Speed is of no concern, being able to pull of the sickest trick in the world is.
The first job was to manufacture a sexy, tough sub-frame that would allow the R6 to keep its slick rear end and provide Bill with a strong unit that could take some serious abuse. Along with that, there's an adjustable 12 bar and re-positioned rear pegs to allow for more stunts. Bill's name engraved into the sides of the frame and the Titanium block on the 12 bar add further style.
The bike's standard 41 mm front forks were replaced with the beefier 43 mm, taken from its big brother the R1. This gives the front end even more stiffness and precision, which translates into better tricks and a whole new beautiful set of triple clamps. Not only were these well-machined, it was cleverly designed to house the fluid reservoirs inside and as part of the clamp. The fluid system is protected, reducing the chance of something getting broken if a trick goes wrong.
Bob custom made the upper and lower fairing stays, which add strength to exposed parts. The Converti Bars with Magura masters and levers give the machine the best chance of surviving a smack with the deck.
Braking power was increased, and the rear brake now has two calipers. One is the regular foot brake, and the other is a hand brake which is controlled by the left hand, its placement replacing the clutch. The clutch lever is then shortened, moved down and made to feel different, allowing Bill to quickly differentiate between the two levers.
The back brake is the one thing you need to have total control of if you are to be a serious stunt rider – it's the emergency panic button should anything go wonky. Being able to use the rear brake when your foot is not on the peg is imperative, so the simple answer to this problem is a hand brake.
Basic modifications include changing the rear sprocket from the original 44T to a massive 60T with a Bill Dixon contrast-cut signature on it, thanks to Vortex.
Bill's parents own a body shop, and growing up around the stuff means Bill has great skill in getting a glass finish. The bike is finished off to a high-gloss, tough finish. Keeping the original orange and black design allows the Tank to look like a regular R6.
The most abnormal part on the whole motorcycle has to be the thumb-operated throttle. Bill grew up on quads and has been wheeling them since he was 12 and racing them until just recently. At a time when most kids riding bikes are getting a feel for a regular twist-action throttle, Bill's skills were being developed by his thumb on the quad system. He switched to a twist-action on his quad like other racers but hated it.
Before Bill, no one had thought of putting one on a sportbike before. "I'd never ridden a sportbike with a thumb throttle before as I didn't think it would work," Bill says. "But I always wanted to try it. One day I did and I loved it from the first five minutes. I've been riding with one ever since, and that was back in 2005." Now with the thumb operation throttle standard, his right hand can put more pressure on the handlebar without risking ripping the throttle back. Being this good has earned him factory Yamaha support, the XDL and Stunt Wars titles and the respect of competitors and fans. It also fuels the competition and brings the sport of stunt riding to a level that we hear could be rewarded with a showing at the X Games in 2010. Bill Dixon is a genius for giving us a cover from heaven and a total mad-man for even thinking it, let alone pulling it off. Total respect. |
