IT seems like even Evel Knievel has competition now.
Colby Raha, 30, took on the title of a Harley Davidson World Record at Sturgis this past week, breaking the record that stood for 15 years.
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Raha flew a whopping 205 feet on a Harley-Davidson bike as thousands of attendees watched the daredevil bypass the record.
His way of doing it? Stopping his body from fearing it, he said.
“Anytime anybody risks their life or does something that could be dangerous or life-threatening, their body tells them not to do it,” he told NBC Sports before he broke the record.
“There’s no way of getting around the nerves. But some of the legends in the past, or myself, we know how to turn off the fear and go for it.”
“Putting the fear aside and being willing to risk it for the reward. The message is to anyone who wants to try and make a living or do something they’re not comfortable doing, taking a risk in life.”
He sped up to 80 miles per hour toward the ramp, which jolted him up into the air.
“You don’t see anyone else lining up to do this,” Raha said.
“This jump at the Thunderdome in Sturgis channeled the spirit of Evel Knievel, an absolute legend of the sport. And I’m beyond stoked to have landed it as part of my Record Breakers event.”
After four attempts, he was able to finally make the jump.
Prior to Raha, Seth Enslow had held the record for 183 feet.
One of the most notable at the event, however, was Knievel’s, who made it 133 feet.
“It was a dream to push the limits at the Thunderdome, and I felt really dialed in the whole time,” he said.
The night before, Raha feared that the parking lot they were given may not have been enough space to make it.
His team ended up being able to extend the area by adding in a makeshift bridge.
The Sturgis bike rally
Dates:
August 1–10, 2025
(Pre-party runs July 28–31)
Location:
Sturgis, South Dakota – in the Black Hills
Anniversary:
85th annual rally, first held in 1938 with just nine riders
Expected Attendance:
700,000+
(2015 record stands at 747,032)
2023 Attendance:
458,161 – down 8.1% from the previous year
City Revenue:
$784 million generated in 2022
State Sales Tax (2024):
$1.4 million collected during rally week
Major Concert Headliners:
ZZ Top, Gene Simmons, Nickelback, Jason Aldean, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch
Buffalo Chip Pass Sales:
Up 67% compared to 2024
Vendor Count (2024):
896 registered temporary vendors
Speed Limit Near Rally Venues:
35 MPH — slower with rally traffic congestion
Nearby Attractions:
Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial
Grand Marshal:
100-year-old biker Gloria Tramontin Struck
“It’s a really short in-run, so it’s really difficult to get up to speed, which makes it not only more risky but difficult — hard to get up to speed,” he said.
He had been up until the early hours of the morning practicing, hoping to be able to pull off the famous jump.
“At the end of the day, you still have to set out to do and I gave my word I’m going to go for the world record, so I’m going to go for it whether I’m feeling as ready as I can be or not,” Raha said.
“I’m still going to hold it wide open and send the 550-pound bike.”
In disbelief after the jump, Raha celebrated.
“This is a classic stamp in history: the furthest Harley-Davidson jump of all time,” he said after he landed.
“We just pulled it off. A lot of hard work goes into this.”
Raha began riding at 3 years old, when he first raced dirtbikes.
With his dad, he’d watch Knievel videos together.
Although his team warned him that they needed to leave the event safe after the numerous setbacks, Raha told them: “We didn’t come here to not break a record.”
He then said that Evel would’ve done the same.
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