Skycycle X-2

The Skycycle X-2 was a steam-powered rocket owned by Evel Knievel and flown during his Snake River Canyon jump. An earlier prototype, the Skycycle X-1 designed by Doug Malewicki and retired United States Navy engineer Robert Truax, superficially resembled a motorcycle. The Skycycle X-2 was designed by Truax, and ridden by Knievel in his attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls, Idaho on September 8, 1974. The parachute deployed during the launch, causing the stunt to fail. A later analysis showed that a design flaw in a mechanical parachute retention cover, which did not properly take base drag into account, caused the premature parachute deployment. Following the failed jump, Truax blamed Knievel for the failure and vice versa. Later Truax accepted full responsibility for the failure.

Although the parachute deployed early, the aerial photographs show the X-2 cleared the canyon. However, the winds blew the rocket back to launch side, crashing at the bottom of the canyon, barely missing the river. Knievel stated that if the X-2 had landed in the water, he would have drowned, as he did not have the ability to release himself from the harness.

In order to obtain permission from the State of Idaho to perform the canyon jump, the X-2 was registered as an airplane rather than a motorcycle.

Two X-2 Skycycles were built for Knievel. The X-2-1 vehicle was used as for a test flight. Unable to fund further tests, Knievel used the X-2-2 for the canyon jump. In 2007, the X-2-1 Skycycle was offered for sale for $5,000,000. The X-2-2 is owned by the Knievel estate and periodically exhibited along with a museum of Knievel artifacts.

Recreating the jump
In 2010, Knievel's son, Robbie, announced he hoped to recreate the Snake River Canyon jump, yet no jump has been officially planned. However, in September 2013, stuntman Big Ed Beckley received the rights from the Idaho Department of Lands to reproduce Knievel's Snake River Jump by for a price of $943,000 to jump the canyon on the 40th anniversary of the attempt. Beckley is scheduling the jump for September 7, 2014 (one day before the 40th anniversary of Knievel's attempt).

Audi commercial
On July 18, 2012, Audi of America recreated Knievel's Snake River Jump in a promotional commercial for the Audi RS5. The commercial depicts the RS5 being driven by a professional driver and jumping the canyon off a jump ramp.