Stunt ace Mattie Griffin joins forces with BMW Motorrad

Irish rider Griffin will be using a BMW F 800 R for his shows

Stunt ace Mattie Griffin has joined BMW Motorrad as a sponsored rider. The internationally renowned Irish star will be making his official debut with a series of exciting shows on a BMW F 800R at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Mattie is currently ranked 5th in the World at Street Bike Freestyle Riding. Griffin had a very successful year in 2009 in which he performed at major events throughout Europe and Asia including the World Indoor Streetbike Freestyle Championships in Zurich and the Formula DRIFT Singapore ProAm Series.

As well as riding in competitions, Mattie is famed for his heart-stopping stunt shows – particularly on the Isle of Man. He’s earned a large fan base from performing to enthusiastic race fans during TT week.
Mattie is travelling from his home in Galway on the western coast of Ireland to the world-famous Goodwood Festival of Speed near Chichester this weekend to entertain visitors to the hugely popular motoring event with his trademark high-energy stunt shows.

Griffin’s new BMW F 800 R which is modified to have a much larger rear sprocket to allow easier wheelies. Flat bars and a reshaped seat have been added for improved stunting comfort and control and the tank reinforced to take Mattie’s weight when he’s doing wheelies or stoppies with his legs over the front of the bike!

The F 800 R also features crash protection because, as Mattie says, “sometimes I do fall off!” While the bike may be modified to make Mattie’s range of exciting stunts easier, it’s still very similar to the road bike – the punchy, economical parallel twin motor and lightweight, sporty chassis and suspension proving to be more than capable.

Mattie Griffin said: “I’m doubly excited about this weekend. It’s my debut as a BMW Motorrad rider so I’m hoping to thrill the crowds and show them some new tricks on my F 800 R – it’s a great bike for stunts. I’ve competed alongside Christian Pfeiffer on his and it’s proven its credentials. This will also be my first visit to the Goodwood Festival. I’m looking forward to entertaining the visitors and then having a chance to explore the rest of the show afterwards!”

Mattie will be putting a morning and afternoon stunt show this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.