SAFETY first is the advice American stunt bike rider Jesse Toler offers to local bikers attempting to break into the world of high-level stunt riding.

Toler was in Jamaica for Bikefest: Jamaica vs US held at the National Stadium in St Andrew, on Saturday.

“Just always be as safe as possible. The more you get hurt, the less you can ride,” Toler told Auto.

With 14 years of riding experience, and two Guinness World Records to his name, he’s easily in the best position to dole out knowledge to those interested in the unique sport that is motorbike stunts. From messing around on American highways to currently holding the record for the longs and fastest stoppie — a trick that requires balancing the bike on its front-wheel while in motion — Toler sees some similarity in his past and the Jamaican stunt scene. Having visited five years ago, he feels that local riders have come a long way in that time and could be on par with US riders in a few years.

“A lot of the differences are in the equipment. In the States, there are tons of companies that make specific parts for bike stunts. From what I’ve been told, these are expensive to purchase and hard to source here,” he said.

For his signature move, the stoppie, he claims it was an addiction for which the key elements are practice, consistency and a good bike set-up.

For Toler, the most difficult tricks are the ones that require on-bike acrobatics.

“Those stunts place the body in uncomfortable positions,” he explained.

A significant fact when dealing with the weight of the bike and the potential speeds reached.

After Jamaica, Toler heads to India for a three-week tour.

— Rory Daley