- Zayn Sofuoglu rides the BMW M 1000 RR (218 hp) and the Kawasaki Ninja H2R (up to 326 hp) on the racetrack at age six
- The son of Supersport World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu has over five million followers on social media
- Father Kenan dreams of a Formula 1 career for Zayn
Zayn Sofuoglu is six years old, weighs 23 kilograms (51 lbs), stands roughly 110 centimeters (3 ft 7 in) tall, and needs a step stool to climb onto a motorcycle. What happens next generates equal parts astonishment and disbelief around the world. In videos that go viral within hours, the boy from Turkey rides motorcycles whose specifications impress even seasoned riders. Most recently, his father Kenan put him on a BMW M 1000 RR and filmed as the six-year-old negotiated corner after corner at remarkable lean angles.
BMW M 1000 RR and Kawasaki Ninja H2R: Extreme Machines for a Six-Year-Old
The BMW M 1000 RR is BMW’s homologation model for the Superbike World Championship. The inline-four with ShiftCam technology produces up to 218 hp (160 kW) according to factory specifications and reaches a top speed of 314 km/h (195 mph). The weight is under 200 kilograms (under 441 lbs), with the current list price exceeding 36,000 euros (approximately 37,800 USD). For a rider weighing 23 kilograms, the resulting power-to-weight ratio defies all proportionality.
Even more extreme is the Kawasaki Ninja H2R, which Zayn has also already ridden. The supercharged machine produces up to 326 hp (240 kW) with the ram-air effect according to factory specifications. The H2R has no road approval and is intended exclusively for use on closed circuits. Kawasaki’s 2026 price list puts the model at 58,550 euros (approximately 61,500 USD).
According to the Italian motorcycle publication Moto.it, Zayn was wearing colorful pajamas during his most recent ride on the BMW M 1000 RR. His hands are barely large enough to operate the clutch lever, yet he demonstrated a clean start with measured clutch and throttle input, without any jerking. On the track, he rode independently and even performed wheelies. The fact that he must be lifted onto the motorcycle by his father and cannot mount it on his own underscores the dimensions of this endeavor.
Family Background: Motorsport as a Way of Life
Zayn Sofuoglu was born on April 11, 2019, and is growing up in an environment where motorsport is part of everyday life. His father Kenan Sofuoglu is a five-time Supersport World Champion who claimed 43 victories and 84 podium finishes during his active career. He won his titles in 2007 with Honda, 2010 again with Honda, and 2012, 2015, and 2016 with Kawasaki. In 2010 and 2011, he also competed in Moto2. Kenan Sofuoglu is additionally active as a member of parliament in Turkey.
After retiring from racing, Kenan works as a manager in international motorcycle racing. His most prominent protégé is Toprak Razgatlioglu, three-time Superbike World Champion, who has been competing in MotoGP since 2026. On the family’s private racetrack, Zayn regularly trains with professionals such as Razgatlioglu and the Öncü twins.
In an interview with the motorcycle publication GPone in April 2025 in Assen, Kenan spoke openly about his son: “Zayn is only 6 years old, and he’s known all over the world. In Europe, as well as in America and Brazil. He boasts almost five million followers on Instagram. But he’s not just social, because he has exceptional talent and incredible speed.”
When asked whether Zayn is the real star in Turkey, Kenan replied: “Zayn is more of a star than Toprak and me, without a shadow of a doubt. When people stop us on the street or outside a store, they ask him for his photo and autograph first.”
Not Just Motorcycles: Lamborghini at 312 km/h and Supermoto Championship
The motorcycle exploits are just one part of Zayn’s repertoire. At just three years old, he was behind the wheel of a Ferrari SF90 Stradale, doing donuts on his father’s go-kart track. In August 2024, then five years old, he accelerated a Lamborghini Revuelto to 312 km/h (194 mph) on a closed runway. The plug-in hybrid supercar produces over 1,000 hp (735 kW) from its 6.5-liter V12 and three electric motors. Zayn sat in a child seat with extended pedals, his father in the passenger seat. Kenan subsequently claimed the unofficial record for the highest speed ever driven by a child.
In October 2024, Zayn won a Turkish Supermoto championship at the Usak Municipality Circuit, breaking the track’s lap record on a 50 cc machine. He also competes in the Turkish kart championship and, according to Kenan, has even raced in the British kart championship, where he reportedly won the first two races.
F1 Instead of MotoGP: Kenan’s Plan for the Future
Although Zayn is clearly exceptionally talented on a motorcycle, the family’s focus has shifted to four wheels. Kenan stated in the GPone interview that his son can keep up with professionals like Can Öncü during training. Nevertheless, they deliberately chose the path through kart racing. “The dream is to get to the F1, however, we do not want to build an F1 driver, but a champion. This is our great challenge with Zayn.”
Kenan’s business partner Manuel Puccetti is also said to share the Formula 1 ambitions.
Between Fascination and Safety Concerns
Zayn’s videos are polarizing. On one hand, there is undeniable fascination: a six-year-old who maneuvers superbikes through corners at lean angles while appearing calm and controlled. On the other hand, there are legitimate safety questions. At a height of 110 centimeters (3 ft 7 in) and a weight of 23 kilograms (51 lbs), Zayn cannot realistically exercise true control over a nearly 200-kilogram (441 lbs) machine with over 200 hp in an emergency. The rides reportedly take place exclusively on racetracks and closed private grounds. No crashes or injuries have been reported so far. The risk to which Kenan Sofuoglu exposes his son, however, remains considerable.
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