The film was based on a script by sexploitation filmmaker Derek Ford, who had been impressed by the personality of stuntman Eddie Kidd when he saw Kidd interviewed on television. Ford wrote Bikers for Kidd, which was meant to be made for £500,000. Michael Klinger became involved as producer, and he felt the money could not be raised with Ford, so that filmmaker was eased out of production. The movie ended up being called Riding High and cost £3 million.
Ford says the movie was filmed with two endings, one where Kidd's character dies, the other where he lives. This was because no one was sure if Kidd would survive the final stunt sequence, where he jumped over a broken bridge. This stunt was the last part of the film shot.
Tony Klinger says the film ran out of money during production so his father Michael had to borrow money from a criminal to pay everone.
Ford says the movie was filmed with two endings, one where Kidd's character dies, the other where he lives. This was because no one was sure if Kidd would survive the final stunt sequence, where he jumped over a broken bridge. This stunt was the last part of the film shot.
Tony Klinger says the film ran out of money during production so his father Michael had to borrow money from a criminal to pay everone.
The superb soundtrack features dozens of hits by artists including The Police, Madness, The Pretenders, The Boomtown Rats, Squeeze, Joe Jackson, Chic, Dire Straits, The Shadows, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gary Numan and Emerson Lake and Palmer and Sky. Eddie Kidd was the first to clear 190 feet - over fourteen double-decker buses - and retain control of the bike. He was paralysed and suffered brain damage following an accident in 1996.