Rennie Scaysbrook | March 17, 2022
Chris Pfeiffer, the man largely credited for bringing streetbike stunt riding into the mainstream, has passed away after taking his own life following a long battle with depression.
Pfeiffer, 51, is famous for his association with BMW Motorrad and with Red Bull, the German traveling the globe and bringing his inimitable flair to stunt shows and opening up a side of the industry that was, until his arrival, largely conducted in the shadows.
Chris Pfeiffer will always be remembered as one of the true pioneers of streetbike freestyle riding.
Pfeiffer was an accomplished racer, having raced off-road and motocross as a junior before later racing and winning the Erzberg Rodeo four times in 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2004.
But his real talent lay in his ability to bend a street motorcycle to his will, his stunt shows capturing the hearts and minds of fans globally. He is also credited for being one of—if not the—first factory-supported stunt riders with his ties to BMW Motorrad. He is certainly the first stunt rider who had a machine named after him when BMW released the F 800 R Chris Pfeiffer in 2009.
Pfeiffer’s popularity was never more evident than in the United States, as he would regularly attend MotoGP and WorldSBK events to entertain the crowd during race intermissions, often with the young man who credits him for inspiring his own riding style, fellow Red Bull athlete, Aaron Colton.
Pfeiffer in typical style. The German pushed the boundaries of what was possible on a motorcycle.
Pfeiffer retired from competitive stunt riding in 2015 after taking four World Freestyle Championships but in recent years suffered from extreme depression which culminated in him taking his own life.
He will be buried on March 26 at 9:30 am in Trauchgau, Germany, and his family has given permission for anyone who wishes to attend to do so and say their final goodbye.
If you or anyone you know are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts in the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is a 24 Hour service dedicated to helping you in your time of need. They can be found by clicking this link.
