---
title: "40.74 km on water: how a Chinese entrepreneur broke the Guinness record on a motorcycle"
description: "Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Xue on a modified MX450 motorcycle rode 40.74 km across a river in Hunan Province, breaking the Guinness record of 31.8 km. Preparation took 17 years."
date: 2026-10-28T11:03:01.333Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/chinese-entrepreneur-guinness-record-motorcycle-water-40-km
tags: [guinness-world-record, motorcycle, china, zxmoto, water-riding, engineering]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# 40.74 km on water: how a Chinese entrepreneur broke the Guinness record on a motorcycle

![A motorcyclist on a modified MX450 motorcycle rides across the water surface of a river, leaving a foamy trail](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/kitajskiy-predprinimatel-ustanovil-rekord-ginnessa-mototsikl-po-vode-40-km/kitajskiy-predprinimatel-ustanovil-rekord-ginnessa-mototsikl-po-vode-40-km-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Zhang Xue rode 40.74 km on water on an MX450 motorcycle, breaking the previous record of 31.8 km
- The motorcycle was modified: float-skis installed, fuel tank enlarged, waterproof protection reinforced
- First attempts were made starting in 2009, when only 20 meters could be covered
- The result was verified by GPS, timing, and video recordings under Guinness supervision

Chinese entrepreneur and founder of the ZXMOTO motorcycle company Zhang Xue has set a new Guinness World Record by riding a specially modified motorcycle 40.74 kilometers across the surface of an open body of water. This was reported by the Chinese news agency Xinhua, and the details of the test were confirmed by international publications, including CGTN. The previous record in this category was 31.8 kilometers—thus, Zhang Xue increased the distance by almost 9 kilometers, marking a significant breakthrough in the history of water motorcycle rides.

### A motorcycle built for water

For the run, an MX450 off-road motorcycle model was used, which underwent deep modernization. ZXMOTO designers equipped the vehicle with amphibious float-ski attachments that keep the motorcycle on the water's surface. The front ski acts as the steering control, while the rear wheel, equipped with special treads, works as a water jet propulsion unit: as it rotates, the tire pushes water backward, driving the motorcycle forward. In addition, the fuel tank was enlarged to ensure autonomy over a long distance, and all critical engine and electronics components received reinforced waterproof protection. Essentially, a unique amphibious structure was created from a regular off-road motorcycle, capable not only of staying afloat but also maintaining steady motion across the water's surface for tens of kilometers.

### From 20 meters to 40 kilometers: a 17-year journey

The idea of riding a motorcycle on water came to Zhang Xue back in 2009. Over the years, he made repeated attempts, but his best results only managed about 20 meters across the water surface. The motorcycle would sink, lose control, and break down. Nevertheless, the entrepreneur did not abandon the idea and spent 17 years refining the design and mastering riding techniques. Nearly two decades after his first failed attempt, Zhang Xue finally achieved his goal, turning the experiment into an officially verified world record.

### The test run and verification

The ride took place on the Jinjiang River, flowing in the Mayang Miao Autonomous County of Huaihua City, Hunan Province. According to several publications, covering the 40.74 km distance took Zhang Xue about 32 minutes. Representatives of the Guinness World Records observed the process and confirmed the result based on GPS satellite navigation data, timing, and video recordings from multiple angles. It was this multi-factor verification that allowed the achievement to be officially registered in the world records registry.

### «The main thing is not speed, but stability»

In an interview after the ride, Zhang Xue emphasized that this time the priority was not maximum speed, but the stable and safe completion of the entire distance. According to him, the team of engineers and testers worked on preparing the motorcycle and practicing the route for several months, conducting dozens of trial runs on various sections of the river. The philosophy of the approach was to ensure predictable behavior of the structure throughout the entire journey rather than chasing peak performance. This principle, according to Zhang Xue himself, became the key factor that allowed the 20-meter failures of 2009 to be transformed into the 40-kilometer record of 2026.

## Accounts differ

### Date of the record ride

- **Xinhua News Agency (via zamin.uz):** The attempt was made on October 25 ([zamin.uz](https://zamin.uz/ru/mir/225665-kitayskiy-predprinimatel-ustanovil-mirovoy-rekord-proekhav-na-mototsikle-po-vode-40-74-kilometra.html))
- **CGTN (via auto.rambler.ru):** The ride took place in May ([auto.rambler.ru](https://auto.rambler.ru/navigator/57309563-mototsiklist-iz-kitaya-ustanovil-mirovoy-rekord-proehav-40-km-po-vode-video/))

*Where they agree:* The ride took place on the Jinjiang River in Hunan Province on an MX450 motorcycle, the distance was 40.74 km — this is confirmed by all sources

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Китайский предприниматель установил мировой рекорд, проехав на мотоцикле по воде 40,74 километра – Zamin.uz, 27.10.2026](https://zamin.uz/ru/mir/225665-kitayskiy-predprinimatel-ustanovil-mirovoy-rekord-proekhav-na-mototsikle-po-vode-40-74-kilometra.html) - Primary source. Indicates a distance of 40.74 km, date October 25, location (Jinjiang River, Huaihua, Hunan), model MX450, previous record 31.8 km, history starting in 2009.
- [Мотоциклист из Китая установил мировой рекорд, проехав 40 км по воде: видео](https://auto.rambler.ru/navigator/57309563-mototsiklist-iz-kitaya-ustanovil-mirovoy-rekord-proehav-40-km-po-vode-video/) - Confirms distance (~40 km / 25 miles), model MX450, company ZXMOTO, description of modifications. Indicates date 'in May' — discrepancy with the October 25 date from the base. References CGTN.
- [Мотоциклист из Китая установил рекорд, проехав более 40 км по воде - Видео](https://oxu.az/ru/v-mire/motociklist-iz-kitaya-ustanovil-rekord-proehav-bolee-40-km-po-vode-video) - Confirms the 40.74 km distance and the fact of the record.
- [40 километров по воде на мотоцикле: китайский инженер установил уникальный мировой рекорд](https://mixnews.lv/v-mire/2026/10/26/40-kilometrov-po-vode-na-mototsikle-kitayskiy-inzhener-ustanovil-unikalnyy-mirovoy-rekord/) - Confirms 40.74 km and adds timing — 32 minutes.

## FAQ

### What distance did Zhang Xue cover on the motorcycle on water?

Zhang Xue rode 40.74 kilometers across the surface of the Jinjiang River, which exceeds the previous world record of 31.8 km by 8.94 km.

### What motorcycle was used for the record?

An MX450 model from ZXMOTO was used, featuring deep modernization: float-skis were installed, the fuel tank was enlarged, and waterproof protection of components was reinforced.

### How long did the ride take?

According to mixnews.lv, covering the 40.74 km distance took Zhang Xue about 32 minutes.

### How long did Zhang Xue prepare for the record?

He made his first attempts to ride a motorcycle on water starting in 2009, when he could only cover about 20 meters. The official record was set 17 years later, in 2026.

### How was the result verified?

The ride took place under the supervision of Guinness World Records representatives. The distance was confirmed by GPS navigation data, timing, and video recordings.