The Tyco Xtreme Moto-X Cycle is a radio controlled motorcycle stylized after Travis Pastrana’s daring motocross stunts. Manufactured by Mattel, it was released into the US, UK, and other markets worldwide in 2001.
Multiple Tyco Xtreme Releases
Tyco / Mattel would release several versions of the RC Motocross Bike from the late 90s to the early 2000s, many with very similar names, making it easy to mistake one for another.
This article is for the 2001 Travis Pastrana variant using the 7.2V Flex Pack. There was also a 1999 Xtreme Cycle carrying Jeremy McGrath’s name which we’ll review separately, plus a Mini Xtreme Cycle, and others.
Technology
The ability of a toy to balance perfectly on two wheels and corner in the expected fashion didn’t just appear overnight, and was the result of many years of research and development, including several patents by Taiyo (Japan) and its founder Shohei Suto. Based on Suto’s designs which incorporated gyroscopic control, Taiyo (partially owned by Tyco at the time) would release numerous radio controlled motorbikes in the 1990s and 2000s all across the globe before Tyco took notice of the technology and began releasing their own variants.
Like all Taiyo bikes, the Moto-X drives/rides as you would expect, without any significant use of balance bars or other tricks, instead relying on an internal gyro stabilizer.
Features and Performance
With a 7.4V Flexpack, the Moto-X has plenty of go, though speed isn’t the attraction with these, but the ability to pull off various stunts without crashing. The plastic Travis Pastrana figure on top of the bike has his hands locked around the handlebars, and is free to sway up off his seat into the air, allowing for some pretty realistic manouvers if you’re daring enough to put your bike in some risky scenarios.
Toy Grade to Hobby Grade Conversion
On YouTube you can find multiple examples of lithium battery upgrades to the Moto-X Cycle and other similar Tyco models. Whether this is puts the drivetrain at risk I’m not sure, so you’d have to be careful with the acceleration perhaps, but it definitely looks like a worthwhile mod to those who enjoy Toy to Hobby Grade conversions!
Availability and Collectability
The XTreme Moto-X Cycle is widely available on eBay, and not difficult to find in good boxed condition, as well as new / mint. The collectability of this item is both in its links to motorsports and stunts professional Travis Pastrana, and in its well modelled, detailed, and featured design.
Keep in mind there are several motocross RCs made in this era, in small and large scale, with 6V and 7.2V power, so ensure you check them out all before committing to buy.
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