Rider Profile: Jay Thompson from Ill Conduct

This weeks rider profile is with Jay Thompson, another of the riders from the Ill Conduct stunt team.  We will be featuring even more of Ill Conduct’s team members and videos in the upcoming weeks in rider profiles and our Tuesday Stunts.

WC:  What’s your occupation?

JT:  Mechanic.

WC:  How many years have you been riding motorcycles?

JT:  I have been riding since I was 8 years old and stunting for the last 7 years.

WC:  What inspired you to get started?

JT:  I was 18 when I got my first street bike and it all went down hill from there. Haha.  I saw people trying to ride wheelies on the streets and I figured I could better what they were doing.  Started going to closed parking lots and practicing.

WC:  What was the hardest trick for you to master?

JT:  I think stoppies was the hardest when you are trying to push for distance.  There is no coming back from it if you apply to much brake.  Trying to do them on a harley the biggest challenge is getting good tire grip with a bike that is 600 lbs.

WC:  What keeps you motivated?

JT:  I would say my biggest motivation is the crowds.  When you see the kids with absolute amazement and excitement on their faces, it just makes you want to ride harder.

WC:  Let’s talk about your motorcycle.  What model is it?

JT:  It’s a 2007  Nightster thanks to Harv’s Harley Davidson.

WC:  What modifications have you done for stunt riding?

JT:  Motor is all stock, converted to chain drive and has bigger gearing to make it easier to slow down, the front end is off a kawasaki ninja and rear has 15″ rear shocks, 17″ excel wheels front and rear, and crash protection and rear scrape bar.  I rode sport bikes for years. I was actually starting to get bored with them and wanted something not many people where doing stunts on.  There was only one option to go with. Of course a harley!  Something changes inside of you riding true American muscle.

WC:  What would you change if you did it all again?

JT:  I can’t say I would change anything.  I love what I do and I couldn’t imagine it any other way.