7 Questions With Nick Brocha

7 Questions With Nick Brocha: 2008 XDL Individual Freestyle Champion

How long have you been riding motorcycles?
I've been on streetbikes for the lesser part of 10 years now, although the beginning was rocky and an on-again off-again relationship. I bought my first bike at 17 and was promptly kicked out of my parents' house for it. So, for a couple years I would buy and sell, hide and get caught--I was a suburban rebel.

What's it like to win your first championship?
To be honest, it sucks. I couldn't have won at a worse time. Our bad economy has the motorcycle industry puckered up. So yes, I won! Welcome to starving another year while a bunch of semi-talented riders make money off a sport where they're no longer relevant.

Do you still operate Apex Films?
Nope, gone and buried. I ran into more people with burnt copies of The Revolution than purchased ones. Plus, I was dumping considerable amounts of money into DVD production and getting very little return.

How has the transition gone from behind the camera to in front?
It was a natural one really. I didn't have huge aspirations--I was just riding for fun. I started to bring just the bike and not the camera to the mega sessions. I prefer the anonymity of being behind the camera--it's considerably less stressful too.

Was it difficult to attend all the XDL stops?
The understatement of the year! Traversing the nation, diesel at an all time high, zero sponsor dollars. I'm sitting in that situation again now so it's a good thing I'm in it with Ernie Vigil, Lin Savage, and Shin Kinoshita. Pooling funds helps a ton.

What was the competition like?
Ruthless, I can't believe how much a point series and monthly competitions pushed the sport. This time last year I had a couple hard tricks I was doing that I knew others would not be. By the end of the season over half the field was riding at a flawless level with runs comprised of only the most difficult tricks. And the speed (when the venue allows) is continuing to build. I have a full leather suit that I plan to log some serious time in just to develop the next level of aggression.

What advice would you give other riders who want to get started stunting?
Buy a cheap POS for $1,500. Ride it for six months and sell it for what you're into it. Buy a better bike and build on what you learned on the beater. Don't rush anything because time on the bike is the most important thing, and being injured sucks.