The much anticipated KTM 990 is a step up and Matt Ayhan recently attended the launch of both the 990 RC R, and the upright naked version, the Duke R. There is a lot more to both bikes than one would at first imagine, and Matt fills us in on the differences and his impressions of both bikes.

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Next week is the start of the 85th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week! Despite the name, it’s actually a 10-day extravaganza that’s suitable for everyone. If you’re in the middle of Winter where you live, it’s time to shrug off the cold and visit sunny Florida! From February 27th to March 8th, the riding season is in full swing in Daytona Beach, Florida. Legendary rides include the historic Main Street to Midtown; the scenic A1A Highway; and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. If you want racing then Daytona International Speedway has it all: Supercross; American Flat Track and Short Track; and of course the historic Daytona 200 on Saturday 7th. And don’t forget to visit Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson, the U.S. 1 corridors, and the rest of Volusia County. For more information about Daytona Beach Bike Week including lodging, events, vendors, parking and more, go to OfficialBikeWeek.com …and we’ll see you there!

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Talking of Supercross, have you heard the latest from the folk at Insta360 about the new Ace Pro 2 Supercross bundle? The partnership between Insta360 and the SMX World Championship, includes world champion Jett Lawrence, and the bundle features the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 action camera. The Ace Pro 2 has 8K, AI-powered video, a large sensor and Leica lens that gives you 4K, 60fps video. There’s a PureVideo Mode for low light conditions; it’s waterproof, has a 180-minute fast charging battery, and it supports 1TB microSD cards. The Supercross Edition bundle includes a Helmet Chin Mount, two Flexible Adhesive Mounts, a Lens Guard, and a 128GB microSD card so you can get going immediately. Head over to Insta360.com and use promo code ULTIMATE.

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In this episode’s snippet, Teejay Adams chats with Marc Vandement of Cycle Cynch. If you ever have to transport your bike on a truck or trailer, you’ll appreciate the Cycle Cynch tie down system that helps secure your bike in place without any damage.

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In the second segment this episode, Teejay chats with Mikayla “Kay Kay” Nielsen (Instagram: MotoKayKay), one of the up and coming riders in the national Women’s Motocross series sponsored by Synchrony Bank. The WMX Championship is a six-round series that takes place in conjunction with Pro Motocross National Championship events throughout the country, and Mikayla is one of the front-runners already with one win and six podiums to her name.

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

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Teejay Adams recently rode the latest Honda NC750X DCT with Dual Clutch Transmission. This ADV-styled streetbike with its parallel-twin engine is perhaps easily overlooked, yet as with all Hondas it turned out to be remarkably capable. By the way…at $9,499 it’s also surprisingly inexpensive, especially considering the incredible Honda technology that is packed into this fast and fun motorcycle.

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We’re almost upon the 85th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week, definitely the event that you absolutely must not miss, especially if you’ve weathered the recent Arctic freeze. Yes! It’s time to throw off the cold and visit sunny Florida! From February 27th to March 8th, the riding season starts in Daytona Beach, Florida. Legendary Bike Week rides include historic Main Street to Midtown; the scenic A1A Highway; and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. If you love racing then Daytona International Speedway has a jam-packed schedule: The 56th annual  Daytona Supercross; the Progressive American Flat Track; Daytona Short Track; and of course the historic Daytona 200. And while you’re there, don’t forget to visit Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson, the U.S. 1 corridors, and the rest of Volusia County. For information about Daytona Beach Bike Week including lodging, events, vendors, parking and more, go to OfficialBikeWeek.com

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Have you heard the latest news from Insta360 about the new Ace Pro 2 Supercross Edition bundle? It’s an awesome partnership between Insta360 and the SMX World Championship, created with world champion Jett Lawrence. The bundle features the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 action camera. It includes 8K AI-powered video, a large sensor and Leica lens creating 4K 60fps video. It also has a PureVideo Mode for low light conditions. It’s waterproof, has a 180-minute battery that fast-charges, and it supports 1TB microSD cards. As well as the camera, the Supercross Edition bundle includes a Helmet Chin Mount, two Flexible Adhesive Mounts, a Lens Guard, and a 128GB microSD card. So head over to Insta360.com and use promo code ULTIMATE.

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In this episode’s snippet, I chat with Mike Wells of ‘Old Vintage Cranks’, a Royal Enfield dealer in Ontario, Canada. Old Vintage Cranks recently won the Royal Enfield BTR Build-Off competition in the flat track category. The Royal Enfield Build-Off is a spin-off of the Build.Train.Race program, where dealers across North America created a dream version of either a road race or flat track motorcycle using the Royal Enfield INT650 as the base bike. Winning the flat track Build-Off is quite an accomplishment for Old Vintage Cranks, and Mike gives us some insight into what went into the build. Mike also gives a big shout out to Amanda of Black Widow Custom Paint for doing such an exemplary job, that no doubt helped them in their big win.  

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In the second segment this episode, Teejay chats with James Tonna of the newly launched Joe Rascal brand. James and his partner Barry Fitzpatrick launched Joe Rascal in August of last year, but they are already making serious headway with the acquisition of three Harley, and one Ducati, dealership in Melbourne, Australia. As if that wasn’t remarkable enough, James has also created Joe Rascal Racing with three riders in the upcoming Baggers race series, during six of the MotoGP rounds this year.  Joe Rascal also now has a Ducati Australian Supercross team, with others soon to follow. It seems their tagline “Go Joe Rascal fast” isn’t just a catchy saying, ‘cos they’re sure not wasting any time.

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Teejay Adams recently rode three entry- intermediate-level Hondas: the Rebel 300 with e-clutch; the CB650R also with e-clutch, and the NC750X with DCT. In the first segment this episode, Teejay tells us what an e-clutch and DCT are, and also what she thought of these three bikes and how they handle this exciting new technology. Even if you’re a seasoned rider, you will still want to hear all about e-clutches and DCT, it might be exactly what you want even though you don’t know it yet!

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In this episode’s Snippet Janet Kersey and Brain Bentley from the Daytona Beach Visitors Bureau, tell us about this upcoming 85th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week, one of the world's premier motorcycle events. Here’s a bit of trivia I’ll bet you don’t know—Janet Kersey was the lady who started the Daytona Beach Biketoberfest over 30 years ago! So she knows both Bike Week events incredibly well. Janet and Brian tell us all about what you can expect this upcoming Bike Week. Not just the events and local scenic rides, but also the jam-packed schedule of races including the 56th annual  DAYTONA Supercross and the historic DAYTONA 200. So for more information including lodging availability, events, vendors, parking and more, go to OfficialBikeWeek.com or call the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce at 386-255-0981. We’ll see you there!

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In the second segment this episode, I chat with Andy Jefferson, from both KTM and Husqvarna. Andy got his first motorcycle in 1970, and after years racing locally on the high desert tracks of Southern California, Andy started riding AMA Nationals and Supercross events on a Husqvarna for Pro Circuit’s Mitch Payton. His teammates included Jeff Jennings and Troy Lee. Sadly, knee injuries eventually ended Andy’s Pro racing career, but as determined as he is, he finally got his chance to work at Husqvarna overseeing the service, aftermarket parts, and customer relations department. In 2013, Andy became Media Relations Manager for all the motorcycle brands including KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas. His long history as a racer includes an Over 40 World Vet Championship, and in 2024 he was inducted into the Legends and Heroes Moto Museum.

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

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In the first segment this episode Don Williams gives us a scrambler history lesson while telling us all about one of Honda’s best kept secrets: the SCL500.  This mid-size scrambler-style Honda is a lifestyle statement that’s also very functional. The mildly off-road aesthetic resonates with those who grew up on the original scramblers, as well as a new generation of riders who are drawn to the relaxed vibe of a bygone era; an incredibly easy to ride motorcycle that works incredibly well.  It’s all about torquey fun at a very affordable price.

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Now here’s a really cool event coming up in just a few weeks that you absolutely must not miss! It’s the 85th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week, one of the world's premier motorcycle events. For 10 days from February 27 to March 8, we will kick off the new riding season in Daytona Beach, Florida where you can enjoy Bike Week events and scenic rides along historic Main Street to Midtown, the Scenic A1A Highway, and through the best of old Florida: the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. If you love racing you have to be at Daytona International Speedway which has a jam-packed schedule of races: the 56th annual  DAYTONA Supercross, the Progressive American Flat Track, DAYTONA Short Track, and of course the historic DAYTONA 200. And don’t forget to visit Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson, the U.S. 1 corridors, and the rest of Volusia County. For information about Daytona Beach Bike Week including lodging availability, events, vendors, parking and more, go to the website OfficialBikeWeek.com or call the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce at 386-255-0981. We’ll see you there!

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Have you heard the latest news from Insta360 about the new Ace Pro 2 SuperMotocross Edition bundle? It’s a cool partnership between Insta360 and the SMX World Championship, and created with world champion Jett Lawrence. The bundle features the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 action camera, which includes 8K AI-powered video, a large sensor, and Leica lens creating 4K 60fps video, with a PureVideo Mode for low light. It’s waterproof, has a long-life 180-minute battery that fast-charges, and it supports 1TB microSD cards. The SuperMotocross Edition bundle includes the camera, a Helmet Chin Mount 2.0, two Flexible Adhesive Mounts, a Lens Guard, and a 128GB microSD card. So head over to Insta360.com and use promo code ULTIMATE.

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In the second segment this episode, Teejay Adams chats with MotoAmerica LIVE+ presenter, Michael Hill. Mike is an established commentator and co-ordinator and host of the WorldSBK Paddock Show. If you subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming on-demand service, then you know who Michael Hill is. He can talk all day long about what’s happening on-track and when there’s nothing on-track, he ventures out to find fans to chat with on his live and very entertaining ‘Mike on The Mic’ segments during Moto America race weekends. Mike and Teejay cover topics including the Isle of Man TT, and superstar Peter Hickman, World Superbike and Nicky Hayden, his charity work for Two Wheels for Life, and his thoughts on the new Baggers racing class in MotoGP. Michael also recently published his book ‘Superbikes, The Stage, and Me’, that is available in all the usual places including Amazon, and Kindle.

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

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In the first segment this episode Don Williams tells us all about the 2026 Triumph Scrambler 900. The Scrambler is an incredibly cool, retro-looking machine with distinctive character and all-round versatility. This latest evolution refines every aspect of the riding experience by focusing on intuitive handling, enhanced ergonomics, and premium build quality.

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In this episode’s Snippet, I chat with professional motocross racer and YouTuber Jeff Walker about the Insta360 X5 and Ace Pro 2 cameras. Jeff has competed in AMA Pro Motocross since 2014 as a privateer, and started his YouTube channel in 2018—initially so that his dad could watch his practice sessions. Jeff loves the Insta360 X5 and the Ace Pro 2 cameras for capturing immersive onboard, helmet, and chest cam footage during intense pro races, and he uses them extensively in videos for their durability and quality in rugged moto conditions. Don’t forget, the incredible new Ace Pro 2 Supercross Edition bundle includes the camera, a Helmet Chin Mount 2.0, two Flexible Adhesive Mounts, a Lens Guard, and a 128GB microSD card. It is available now for a holiday sale price of US$419.99 that’s a whopping $90 off the standard retail price! So head over to Insta360.com and use promo code ULTIMATE.

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Ever since the inaugural King of the Baggers exhibition race at Laguna Seca in 2020, the series in MotoAmerica has really caught the public’s imagination. Now for 2026 the thundering sound of massive v-twins is going to happen at six select MotoGP rounds in Europe. In the second segment this episode, Teejay Adams chats with Archie McDonald Facebook Instagram a 19-year-old rising Australian motorcycle star from Albury, NSW. Archie has rapidly climbed the ranks through flat track, Australian Supersport, and European JuniorGP competitions. He has now made a major international leap by signing with the Joe Rascal team to compete in the 2026 Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup (the global evolution of the King of the Baggers series), racing high-spec Harley-Davidson machines at selected MotoGP events.

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

In the first segment this episode Don Williams brings us the latest in BMW’s R 12 retro lineup. This one, the R 12 S, is a luxury sport bike that delivers the looks, and a powerful, smooth ride that makes it easy to go fast. It’s a modern roadster capable of impressive performance while comfortably looking the part.

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Have you heard the latest news from Insta360 about the new Ace Pro 2 SuperMotocross Edition bundle? It’s a cool partnership between Insta360 and the SMX World Championship, and created with world champion Jett Lawrence. The bundle features the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 action camera, which includes 8K AI-powered video, a large sensor, and Leica lens creating 4K 60fps video, with a PureVideo Mode for low light. It’s waterproof, has a long-life 180-minute battery that fast-charges, and it supports 1TB microSD cards. The SuperMotocross Edition bundle includes the camera, a Helmet Chin Mount 2.0, two Flexible Adhesive Mounts, a Lens Guard, and a 128GB microSD card. It is available now for a holiday sale price of US$419.99 that’s a whopping $90 off the standard retail price! So head over to Insta360.com and use promo code ULTIMATE.

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In the second segment this episode, Teejay Adams chats with Johnny Lewis, a prominent American flat track racer and owner of Moto Anatomy, who won three championships in flat track racing. These are all from his highly successful AMA career in premier dirt track classes. Johnny also owns and runs the Royal Enfield based Slide School from his large property in Florida, and is now planning ice-racing this year on a tuned and adapted Royal Enfield Himalayan. He makes a pretty compelling case for rider improvement, so if you’ve got three hundred bucks and fancy a trip to sunny Florida, maybe now’s the time to learn how to safely slide a motorcycle and make that two-wheeler grin of yours even wider.    

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

In the first segment this episode Don Williams brings us the 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700 which gets a wide range of updates. Rather than completely rethinking a truly winning design, Yamaha nudged a variety of aspects of the Ténéré 700 around, and the collective results are impressive while keeping the price below $11k. But, by any standard, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 is an adventure bike that has captured the hearts and minds of a broad range of ADV enthusiasts, ranging from street-bound adventure tourists who love its lightweight agility, to riders as talented as hard enduro ace and rally pioneer Pol Tarrés.

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In this episode’s Snippet, Adam Stringer from Insta360 brings us info on the new X5 360-degree camera that includes 8K30 resolution where you can capture every angle of the ride. No need to choose between the road ahead or the scenery behind you. And the X5 has rugged and replaceable lenses, where a drop doesn't mean buying a new camera. Also tech like FlowState Stabilization where even on rough roads, your footage stays buttery smooth; and an AI-powered App that automatically finds the best moments and creates ready-to-share clips. But for right now, we’ve reached Black Friday 2025, and some truly great Insta360 deals!

• X5 is at a historic low 15% off
• X4 & X3 prices are slashed 50%
• You can also save up to 16% on Ace Pro 2 bundles
• On top of that for our listeners Insta360 has a special offer: the first 30 orders get a free Mic Air worth $50. It's perfect for adding voiceovers to your ride footage.

Needless to say, if you’ve been waiting to take the plunge on one of these amazing 360 action cameras, or add some of Insta360’s great accessories, the time to act is now. Head over to Insta360.com and use promo code ULTIMATE.

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In the second segment this episode, Teejay Adams chats with Miranda Cain, who finished second in this year’s highly competitive Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. program. Her first taste of the track came in 2021, thanks to a friend, a kart track, and her spontaneous “why not?” attitude. She showed up not knowing what to expect… and left completely hooked. Miranda got her start on a Suzuki SV650, but today she’s lapping on an Aprilia Tuono 660—equal parts power and personality.⁠ Unapologetically feminine, Miranda’s Bison Track leathers are all pink. “When I pass the boys,” she says, “they know it’s me.” ⁠Miranda’s great uncle, motojournalist Peter Jones (author of The Bad Editor) raced motorcycles in the ‘90s, and now the two are planning to team up for an endurance race in 2026. ⁠

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

In the first segment this episode Don Williams brings us the 2026 Kawasaki KLX230 Sherpa S.  This is a motorcycle with a couple of 1960s historical touchstones. On one hand, it recalls the days of the boondocker motorcycles, which were inexpensive, high-reliability, low-performance, easy-to-ride and lightweight, off-road motorcycles. Sportsmen used them to access the outdoors when traveling by foot was impractical. The new Kawasaki KLX230 Sherpa S is a modern take on the boondocker motorcycle. It is beginner-friendly with a low seat height, yet fully capable off-road, inexpensive, and good-looking.

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In this episode’s Snippet, Arthur Coldwells chats with Daniel Riff from Insta360 about the new X5 camera. Daniel is one of the product experts at Insta360, and as well as a professional videographer, he’s also a passionate motorcycle rider who's been testing 360 cameras on two wheels for years. Daniel and I have both extensively tested the X5, and so he breaks down for us why the X5 is such a game-changer for capturing your rides.

For our listeners who want to level up their ride content, Insta360 has a special offer: the first 30 orders get a free Mic Air worth $50. That's perfect for adding voiceovers to your ride footage. Head to Insta360 to grab yours before they're gone!

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In the second segment this episode, Arthur Coldwells chats with his friend Armen Manougian. Although Armen owns a car service workshop, his first love is clearly motorcycles. His excellent mechanical background and incredible eye for detail helped him restore the most beautiful Yamaha RD400 I’ve ever seen. He has some incredible other motorcycles too, some classics including an incredible Kawasaki KZ900 tribute to Pops Yoshimura and Wes Cooley, and others that he rides regularly on track. These include a couple of real Yoshimura Suzuki Gixxer racebikes, and a Ducati Superleggera. Don’t be fooled by Armen’s very modest style of chatting; he’s as skilled a rider as he is a mechanic, and his uncompromising, take-no-prisoners attitude has served him well when riding a motorcycle, just as much as when he’s working on one.    

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

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In the second segment this episode, we introduce you to a new tire manufacturer making an entrance into the US market. You may or may not have heard of Eurogrip tires, however the Indian company has been around since 1982 and manufactures over 3 million tires a month. Blending Italian design expertise with Indian manufacturing prowess, they are available worldwide in 85+ countries. Arthur Coldwells chats with Tim Calhoun and Ajay Shukla, and they tell me why we should be excited about a new tire manufacturer coming into the US market.

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

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In the second segment this episode, Teejay Adams chats with Sara Lobkovich, a leadership coach and consultant who has authored a book on her deep expertise in Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and organizational performance. Okay, so that’s cool, but what you probably don’t know about Sara is that she is also a Principal (with her husband Chris) and Assistant Crew Chief of the CW Moto Team who race in the Moto America series. Her many roles include strategic communication, social media support, and she helps ensure the team is operating at peak performance. Sara is a 20+ year rider and riding coach herself, and created The Moto Curious, a podcast to help make motorcycling more inclusive and accessible. She is a fascinating and welcoming lady, so from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

Sara’s book: https://findrc.co/yaas_cw

Sara’s work: https://saralobkovich.com 

CW Moto Instagram: https://instagram.com/cw_moto

CW Moto BTS: https://bts.cwmoto.com

@saralobkovich on social media

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

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Yes…in this adventure-focused episode, our first segment has Don Williams telling us all about the 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp. Honda have made some changes to the bike for this year and it’s now a little more off-road focused. For under ten thousand dollars the Transalp is a lot of bike for the money, and Don tells us exactly what’s changed and how it affects the kind of terrain you’ll want to tackle on this machine.

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Now if there’s one adventure you really won’t want to miss it’s the upcoming Biketoberfest rally in Daytona Beach, Florida on October 16th through the 19th.  This episode we take a few minutes to chat with Lori Campbell-Baker, Brian Bentley, and Andrew Booth from the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Biketoberfest is all about the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, and motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. And don’t forget, there are miles of spectacular rides along the famous A1A, the historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. You should also know about the Harley Dream Giveaway… Tickets are available to win a Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST and a Ford F-250 Harley-Davidson edition from Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley-Davidson. So there really is something for everyone here, even families, and almost every event and attraction is free to attend. So if you want a fun few days out in the Florida sunshine, Biketoberfest really is the place to be. Download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.org for more details.

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Have you ever been shot at when riding your motorcycle? Well, our guest this episode continues our adventure theme, where Teejay Adams chats with world-traveler Sikandar Khan, of Khan’s Motoverse fame, a well-known YouTube channel. We interrupt Khan in the middle of his latest trip, from Alaska through to Patagonia, and he talks to Teejay about some of his extraordinary travels that have taken him across the world on his BMW GS—including the hair-raising one where he was shot at!

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

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In our first segment, Don Williams gives us the low down on the another of the new Harley-Davidson Softails… this one is the Street Bob. The Street Bob can sometimes be overlooked as it’s a slightly simpler motorcycle than some of its Softail siblings, but it’s definitely worth a look as it still has that amazing 117-inch Milwaukee-8 motor, and it’s a really easy-riding motorcycle with bags of charisma.   

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Have you checked out Insta360, the leader in 360-degree action camera technology? Their latest camera, the Insta360 X5, shoots in all directions at once in incredible 8K30 resolution. Just hit record, focus on your ride, and then find the best angles in the edit with Insta360's mobile app—it's easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools to make it easy and super-fast. The X5's huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode deliver unmatched detail and image quality—even at night. The X5 is waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360's toughest-ever replaceable lenses and lens guards. There are some incredible accessories are available including the Ultra Battery for more runtime, and ND Filters, specially designed to give you complete control in any lighting condition. There is also the GPS Preview Remote with its built-In mic: it’s an all-in-one creative tool for smoother, smarter shooting. So, to bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", (available for the first 30 purchases only). Or click here

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We’ve been talking excitedly for the past few weeks about the upcoming Biketoberfest rally in Daytona Beach, Florida on October 16th through the 19th. So this episode we take a few minutes to chat with Lori Campbell-Baker, Brian Bentley, and Andrew Booth, from the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Biketoberfest is all about the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, and motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. But especially, there are miles of scenic rides along the famous A1A, historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. Besides the riding, places like the new rainforest part of the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure and it features multiple species of mammals and exotic birds including Toucans, Sloths, Otters, and Tamarins. Also, the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet has reopened after a multi-million dollar renovation, and there are several new exhibits on the campus of the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences. You should also know about the Harley Dream Giveaway… Tickets are available to win a Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST and a Ford F-250 Harley-Davidson edition from Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley-Davidson. There really is something for everyone here, even families, and almost every event and attraction is free to attend. So if you want a fun few days out in the Florida sunshine, Biketoberfest really is the place to be. Download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.org for more details.

*  *  *  *  *

“I’m no superhero” says Vanessa Ruck aka “The Girl on a Bike”, who is our guest for this episode. But… actually, I think she’s wrong, I’d say she is every bit a superhero. Teejay chats with Vanessa about that time she took on one of the most difficult and prestigious off-road races in the history of Motorsports: the original and real Dakar Rally; now known as The Africa Eco Race. This is the legendary desert race which covers 13 days and 6,000 kilometers, sometimes in over 120-degree heat. It runs from Monaco, Europe, through Morocco, Western Sahara, and Mauritania, eventually to Dakar in Senegal, West Africa. This is the race where 54% of the entrants didn’t finish; and yet Vanessa on her trusty KTM became the first British female—and only the second female ever—to actually finish this crazy test of human endurance and spirit.  Check out Vanessa's YouTube channel and her Instagram

*  *  *  *  *

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

In our first segment, Don Williams and Kelly Callan discuss the all-new 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R. This is a clean-sheet motorcycle with little in common with its predecessor. The R has a new chassis, larger-displacement engine, and a 21-inch front/18-inch rear wheelset. Looking ready to hit the dirt with its rally-tall windscreen and wire-spoked wheels, the 390 Adventure R still sits in the Travel category, assuring us that KTM didn’t lose track of the pavement experience as the new model is prepped for off-road detours. In KTM’s extensive 390 lineup, the new Adventure R slots perfectly between another two new models—the more road-friendly Adventure X and the dual-sport Enduro R.

*  *  *  *  *

Insta360, is the leader in 360-degree action camera technology. Teejay Adams and Arthur Coldwells took an Insta360 X5 on their recent trip to Alaska, and in this week’s Snippet they discuss their experiences with it.  

Don’t forget to bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", (available for the first 30 purchases only).

*  *  *  *  *

Now here’s a really cool event coming up this October that you should not miss! It’s the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in the Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas; this year it’s on Oct. 16-19. The four-day motorcycle event attracts riding enthusiasts to the destination for the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. There are miles of scenic rides along the famous A1A, historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. For more information and to book your plans for Biketoberfest® 2025, visit www.biketoberfest.org

*  *  *  *  *

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with Lucy Blondel, from Vancouver, Canada. Lucy is a regular at track days on her BMW S1000RR and Suzuki Gixxer 750. She also competes on her Ninja 400, but we met her through her 2024 and 25 seasons participation in the Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race program. She didn’t win a race, but she acquitted herself extremely well and is proud of her accomplishments. Unfortunately Lucy has had some life-changing challenges in the last couple of years, and yet somehow has come through it all and is still smiling and riding motorcycles very, very fast.

*  *  *  *  *

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

*  *  *  *  *

Recently, Don Williams enjoyed a trip to Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England, where he got to experience the new Royal Enfield Classic 650. Royal Enfield has masterfully expanded their 650 Twin platform, starting with the upright Interceptor and Continental GT, followed by the Super Meteor cruiser, the Shotgun 650 bobber, the Bear 650 scrambler …and now the Classic 650. Although this bike has yet to arrive in America, in our first segment Don tells us all about it, and how he learned an unexpected history lesson or two.

*  *  *  *  *

The Insta360 sale is now on, with up to $200 savings on different products! Insta360 is the leader in 360-degree action camera technology. Their latest camera, the Insta360 X5, shoots in all directions at once in incredible 8K30 resolution. Just hit record, focus on your ride, and then find the best angles in the edit with Insta360's mobile app—it's easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools to make it easy and super-fast. The X5's huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode deliver unmatched detail and image quality—even at night. The X5 is waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360's toughest-ever replaceable lenses and lens guards. And as if that wasn’t enough, now the Summer Update brings together a series of innovations that make X5 even more powerful, versatile, and intuitive than ever before. New features like AdaptiveTone, gives smart exposure in complex lighting situations; and with the latest firmware update, the standard battery now offers an even longer runtime. But if you need even more, some incredible accessories are available including the Ultra Battery with 17% more battery capacity that delivers more runtime, and when charging, it reaches 80% in just 20 minutes. Other accessories include ND Filters, specially designed for 360 cameras that give you complete control in any lighting condition, they’re ideal for conveying speed in motorcycle footage or achieving pro-looking motion effects. There is also the GPS Preview Remote with its built-In mic: it’s an all-in-one creative tool for smoother, smarter shooting. So, to bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", (available for the first 30 purchases only). Or click here

*  *  *  *  *

Now here’s a really cool event coming up this October that you should not miss! It’s the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in the Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas; this year it’s on Oct. 16-19. The four-day motorcycle event attracts riding enthusiasts to the destination for the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. There are miles of scenic rides along the famous A1A, historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. For more information and to book your plans for Biketoberfest® 2025, visit www.biketoberfest.org

*  *  *  *  *

In our second segment this week, Teejay chats with Stefy Bau, the trailblazing Italian motocross legend. With three world championships, two WMX USA titles, and seven Italian championships, Stefy broke barriers as the first woman to race men in the FIM World Championship. Stefy tells us about her racing career and what drove her to such incredible success, and since her retirement, what she’s doing in her new career with Inite Sports, and IRK Technologies, that are both involved in Sim Racing and e-sports.    

*  *  *  *  *

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

The Arai Difference: If your experience has been that “Arai helmets are hard to get on,” then the Contour-X, designed with a wider bottom opening than previous models for easier on/off, is the helmet you’ve been waiting for. Once inside, you will be amazed at the extreme comfort, a key benefit of the Contour-X for long-distance touring, and if you’re into ADV or dual-sport riding, then you’ll want to check out the new Arai XD-5. So try on an Arai at your local dealer. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

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In our first segment, we reveal the all new 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure that has been completely redesigned. Our test bike includes the latest ShiftCam boxer engine and an optional automatic transmission which we tested as part of the Premium Package. It also has the new Adaptive Height control and a host of other options. This is an incredibly complex motorcycle with a vast array of adjustments, so find yourself a comfortable chair while Don Williams and Jonathan Handler dive into their thoughts on riding this amazing motorcycle.

*  *  *  *  *

Have you checked out Insta360, the leader in 360-degree action camera technology? Their latest camera, the Insta360 X5, shoots in all directions at once in incredible 8K30 resolution. Just hit record, focus on your ride, and then find the best angles in the edit with Insta360's mobile app—it's easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools to make it easy and super-fast. The X5's huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode deliver unmatched detail and image quality—even at night. The X5 is waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360's toughest-ever replaceable lenses and lens guards. And as if that wasn’t enough, now the Summer Update brings together a series of innovations that make X5 even more powerful, versatile, and intuitive than ever before. New features like AdaptiveTone, gives smart exposure in complex lighting situations; and with the latest firmware update, the standard battery now offers an even longer runtime. But if you need even more, some incredible accessories are available including the Ultra Battery with 17% more battery capacity that delivers more runtime, and when charging, it reaches 80% in just 20 minutes. Other accessories include ND Filters, specially designed for 360 cameras that give you complete control in any lighting condition, they’re ideal for conveying speed in motorcycle footage or achieving pro-looking motion effects. There is also the GPS Preview Remote with its built-In mic: it’s an all-in-one creative tool for smoother, smarter shooting. So, to bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", (available for the first 30 purchases only). Or click here

*  *  *  *  *

Now here’s a really cool event coming up this October that you should not miss! It’s the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in the Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas; this year it’s on Oct. 16-19. The four-day motorcycle event attracts riding enthusiasts to the destination for the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. There are miles of scenic rides along the famous A1A, historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. For more information and to book your plans for Biketoberfest® 2025, visit www.biketoberfest.org

*  *  *  *  *

MV Agusta is a storied Italian brand with a rich racing heritage that makes arguably the most beautiful motorcycles on the planet. Its acquisition a couple of years ago by KTM promised so much. However, the KTM financial troubles at the end of last year upended those plans, and with all the ensuing publicity understandably focusing on KTM, MV Agusta fans have been left wondering what the future may hold for them. So we thought it was worth chatting to Luca Dovesi, CEO of MV Agusta North America, and find out what is really going on. Luca enthusiastically agreed to come on the podcast and he talks to us not just about the current situation, but also the company’s ambitious plans for the future.  

*  *  *  *  *

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Are you ready to experience the motorcycle that is redefining the Supersport class? The new Yamaha YZF-R9 with its 890cc CP3 engine delivers incredible power and torque. Its lightweight aluminum frame, carefully developed rider's ergonomics, and adjustable KYB suspension, provide spectacular agility and control. Ride MotoGP-inspired aerodynamics with the R9's winglets, designed to enhance handling and agility. The R9 is more than just a machine; it's an experience. With its aggressive R-Series bodywork, LED lighting, and Brembo Stylema front brake calipers, every detail is impressive. The YZF-R9: Accessible Supersport performance starting at $12,499. Visit YamahaMotorsports.com to learn more.

 *  *  *  *  *

In this first segment, I chat with Editor Matt Ayhan about two closely related all new bikes from Honda: the CB750 Hornet, and its larger sibling, the CB1000 Hornet SP. These are similar—but also very different upright naked sportbikes from the Big Red. The 750 is a parallel twin, and the 1000 is an inline-4. It might seem obvious which bike has the greater appeal, but I guarantee you there are some real surprises from Matt on how both of these bikes performed, and where they excel.  

 *  *  *  *  *

Have you checked out Insta360, the leader in 360-degree action camera technology? Their latest camera, the Insta360 X5, shoots in all directions at once in incredible 8K30 resolution. Just hit record, focus on your ride, and then find the best angles in the edit with Insta360's mobile app—it's easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools to make it easy and super-fast. The X5's huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode deliver unmatched detail and image quality—even at night. The X5 is waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360's toughest-ever replaceable lenses and lens guards. And as if that wasn’t enough, now the Summer Update brings together a series of innovations that make X5 even more powerful, versatile, and intuitive than ever before. New features like AdaptiveTone, gives smart exposure in complex lighting situations; and with the latest firmware update, the standard battery now offers an even longer runtime. But if you need even more, some incredible accessories are available including the Ultra Battery with 17% more battery capacity that delivers more runtime, and when charging, it reaches 80% in just 20 minutes. Other accessories include ND Filters, specially designed for 360 cameras that give you complete control in any lighting condition, they’re ideal for conveying speed in motorcycle footage or achieving pro-looking motion effects. There is also the GPS Preview Remote with its built-In mic: it’s an all-in-one creative tool for smoother, smarter shooting. So, to bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", (available for the first 30 purchases only). Or click here

 *  *  *  *  *

Now here’s a really cool event coming up this October that you should not miss! It’s the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in the Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas; this year it’s on Oct. 16-19. The four-day motorcycle event attracts riding enthusiasts to the destination for the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. There are miles of scenic rides along the famous A1A, historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. For more information and to book your plans for Biketoberfest® 2025, visit www.biketoberfest.org

 *  *  *  *  *

Our guest this episode is Associate Editor Freeman Wood. As you might know, Freeman is a big fan of motorcycle travel, and there’s nothing he likes more than to take off with a few of his buddies and take a road less traveled. Teejay chats with him about his latest adventure through the mountains of Colorado and ultimately to Moab, Utah. He rode a KTM 890 Adventure, with several modifications to help survive the adventure. The group definitely got into some scrapes, but (spoiler alert) they did actually survive to fight again another day. The route is actually listed as the Colorado BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route) and you can check it for yourself either at Butler Maps or at RideBDR.com.  

 *  *  *  *  *

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Are you ready to experience the motorcycle that is redefining the Supersport class? The new Yamaha YZF-R9 with its 890cc CP3 engine delivers incredible power and torque. Its lightweight aluminum frame, carefully developed rider's ergonomics, and adjustable KYB suspension, provide spectacular agility and control. Ride MotoGP-inspired aerodynamics with the R9's winglets, designed to enhance handling and agility. The R9 is more than just a machine; it's an experience. With its aggressive R-Series bodywork, LED lighting, and Brembo Stylema front brake calipers, every detail is impressive. The YZF-R9: Accessible Supersport performance starting at $12,499. Visit YamahaMotorsports.com to learn more.

 *  *  *  *  *

In this first segment Don Williams give us the low down on the new Low Rider S. Harley introduced the new Softails a few months ago, and I have to say, I was really impressed. The Low Rider is styled very similar to the Dyna of old, and in recent years, that has been the bike of choice for go-fast customization in the so-called ‘Club’ style. But, truth is, any tweaked out Dyna won’t hold a candle to the Low Rider S; this new generation of Softail is absolutely not the Softail of old.

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We’re in the height of the racing season right now with MotoGP, World Superbike, and Moto America events taking place all over the world. Many of those riders at the pinnacle of the sport choose an Arai helmet to protect them. Why do you think that is? Well, Arai’s mission has always been the protection and comfort of every person who chooses an Arai helmet. Arai’s foundational principles of protection first, exceptional quality, and rider comfort have never been forgotten, in over six decades of helmet design and manufacturing. Arai helmets are comfortable for sure, but first and foremost, protection is the critical reason to wear an Arai. The Snell Standard, said to be the strictest in the world, only has a 17mph drop speed for the shock absorption test. As riders, we ride faster than that on a daily basis. So there’s more to it than just a straight drop test. In the unlikely event of a crash, Arai knows it is vital to slide and avoid those direct impacts as much as possible, to reduce the amount of impact energy that enters the helmet as much as possible. There’s a lot of reasons why you should join the most demanding riders in the world and wear an Arai helmet. To learn more, visit www.AraiAmericas.com

 *  *  *  *  *

Have you checked out Insta360, the leader in 360-degree action camera technology? Their latest 360-degree camera, the Insta360 X5, shoots in all directions at once in incredible 8K30 resolution. You’ll get truly epic motorcycling shots without even aiming the camera. Just hit record, focus on your ride, and then find the best angles in the edit with Insta360's mobile app—it's easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools to make it easy and super-fast. See more of your handlebars with an immersive POV, or film third-person shots of you and your bike—the X5 is every camera you'll need. Plus, the X5's huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode deliver unmatched detail and image quality—even at night. The X5 is waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360's toughest-ever replaceable lenses and lens guards. To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", (available for the first 30 purchases only). Or click here

 *  *  *  *  *

Our guest this episode is Camille Conrad. The daughter of actor Robert Conrad, Camille is a go-getter in every sense of the word; when she sets her mind at something it seems nothing will stop her. She had an unconventional upbringing, and in her teens she was a competitive skier, qualifying for the Junior Olympics. Then she discovered motorcycles. She is now coming to the end of her second year in the Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race program and she has done really well. Teejay chats with Camille and tries to find out what really makes her tick.  

 *  *  *  *  *

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700, the ultimate adventure bike designed to conquer any terrain. The Tenere 700 has a powerful 689cc liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder engine, delivering adrenaline-pumping performance for both on-road cruising and off-road exploration. It's built for the bold; ready to tackle gravel, dirt, or pavement with equal confidence. With a lightweight chassis and long-travel suspension, every ride feels effortless, offering agility and stability in every twist and turn. Plus, adjustable suspension means you can tailor the ride to suit your adventure style. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.  

 *  *  *  *  *

I’m sure you’ve heard of Insta360, a leader in 360-degree action camera technology. Their latest just-launched 360-degree camera, Insta360 X5, shoots in ALL directions at once…and it does it in incredible 8K30 hi-resolution. This will give you epic motorcycling shots without even aiming the camera. Just hit record… focus on your ride… and then find the best angles in the edit using Insta360's mobile app. It's easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools for a faster workflow! X5 is every camera you'll need in one … you can see more of your bars with an immersive POV, or you can film unique, third-person shots of you and your bike. From morning rallies to night rides, X5's huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode, deliver unmatched detail and image quality …around the clock! It's waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360's toughest-ever lenses and lens guards. And by the way, both of those are completely replaceable, so you can ride with confidence.

To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your Insta360 X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", available for the first 30 purchases only.

 *  *  *  *  *

This is a big year for the Harley-Davidson Softails, as they’re brought into the 21st century with a comprehensive electronics package, a bigger motor, revised suspension, and a few more goodies. It’s even bigger for the Fat Boy, as this is the 35th anniversary of the chubby-tired custom inspired by the 1949 Hydra-Glide. Literally reflecting that milestone is the chrome-drenched 2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost, which is the newest member of the Icons Collection,  and it makes a statement like no other. Don Williams rode the Gray Ghost extensively and gives us his thoughts not just on the exquisite looks, but also on how the Fat Boy actually rides.

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The Snippet this episode is brought to you by Schuberth. In response to the market’s growing demand for advanced connectivity, SCHUBERTH renewed its partnership with Cardo Systems® with the introduction of the SCHUBERTH SC EDGE based on the appreciated PACKTALK EDGE. As connectivity becomes increasingly relevant for modern motorcyclists, SC EDGE empowers riders to communicate effortlessly, enjoy their favorite music, and receive GPS directions - all while keeping their hands safely on the handlebars. Jonathan Handler gives us some insight into the new communicators that simply snap into most of the new Schuberth helmets that have been already prewired and are ready to accept the unit.

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In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with motorcycle adventurer “Itchy Boots”. Noraly Schoenmaker is an astonishing young woman who travels to incredible—and sometimes dangerous—destinations on her Yamaha Tenere. Since 2018, Noraly has ridden over 175,000 kilometers through more than 70 countries, documenting her adventures on her YouTube channel, which boasts over 2.7 million subscribers. Her engaging storytelling, fearless spirit, and love for exploring diverse cultures and landscapes inspire countless fans to embrace adventure and independence. Noraly’s new book published by Atria Books is out in a couple of weeks on July 3rd. “Free Ride” is her story of heartbreak, courage, and the 20,000-mile motorcycle journey that changed her life. When the books is out you will be able to find at good bookstores and also purchased on Amazon.   

 *  *  *  *  *

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Are you ready to experience the motorcycle that is redefining the Supersport class? The new Yamaha YZF-R9 with its 890cc CP3 engine delivers incredible power and torque. Its lightweight aluminum frame, carefully developed rider's ergonomics, and adjustable KYB suspension, provide spectacular agility and control. Ride MotoGP-inspired aerodynamics with the R9's winglets, designed to enhance handling and agility. 

The R9 is more than just a machine; it's an experience. With its aggressive R-Series bodywork, LED lighting, and Brembo Stylema front brake calipers, every detail is impressive. The YZF-R9: Accessible Supersport performance starting at $12,499. Visit YamahaMotorsports.com to learn more.

 *  *  *  *  *

In this first segment this episode, I chat with Tom Montano about riding the new Yamaha R9. He attended the launch recently at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California. You may remember Tom from the Podcast he did with us a couple of years ago… he’s a highly experienced, fast guy, with 14 race starts at the Isle of Man TT to his name. So the Supersport Yamaha seems like the perfect fit to be ridden on track by such a great rider.

 *  *  *  *  *

Watching the Isle of Man TT this week, I noticed that almost all the riders racing there wear an Arai helmet—and that includes Michael Dunlop, now the all-time record holder with 32 TT wins to his name. Why do you think Arai is so popular at the world’s most dangerous motorcycle race event? Well, Arai’s mission has always been the protection and comfort of every person who chooses an Arai helmet. Their foundational principles of protection first, exceptional quality, and rider comfort have never been forgotten in over six decades of helmet design and manufacturing. But beyond comfort, protection is really the critical reason to wear an Arai. The Snell Standard, said to be the strictest in the world, has a 17mph drop speed for the shock absorption test. As riders, we ride faster than that on a daily basis. Therefore, in the unlikely event of a crash, Arai knows it is important to “slide and avoid direct impacts to reduce the amount of impact energy that enters the helmet as much as possible”. There’s a lot of reasons why you should join the most demanding riders in the world and wear an Arai helmet. To learn more, visit www.AraiAmericas.com

 *  *  *  *  *

Today's Snippet brings you the newly launched X5 camera from Insta360, a leader in 360-degree action camera technology. Associate Editor Neil Wyenn has owned most of the Insta360 cameras and he tells us why the new X5 with its huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode, as well as its toughest-ever replaceable lenses and lens guards is such a big improvement over the previous models. Don’t forget: to bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your Insta360 X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", or click here Insta360  (available for the first 30 purchases only).

 *  *  *  *  *

Our guest this episode is Candy Hunter, owner of WOW Motorcycles in Marietta Georgia. She chats with Teejay about the challenges of owning the largest pre-owned motorcycle dealership in the country; her insight into the state of the motorcycle industry market in general, and a preview of some of the amazing and fun events they have planned.

 *  *  *  *  *

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

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Check out their latest 360-degree camera, the Insta360 X5, that shoots in all directions at once in incredible 8K30 resolution. This translates into epic motorcycling shots without even aiming the camera. Just hit record, focus on your ride, and then find the best angles in the edit with Insta360's mobile app—it's easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools to make it easy and fast. See more of your handlebars with an immersive POV, or film third-person shots of you and your bike—the X5 is every camera you'll need. Plus, X5's huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode deliver unmatched detail and image quality even at night. The X5 is waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360's toughest-ever replaceable lenses and lens guards. To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", available for the first 30 purchases only. Or click here

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This first segment features myself, Arthur Coldwells, and I chat with Matt Ayhan about the new Kawasaki Z900 SE. The Kawasaki Z900 is an inline-4 first launched in 2017, although of course its DNA can be traced all the way back to the original Midnight Prowler Z1 from the 1970s. I’m proud to say that I’ve owned both of these machines—the original 1976 Z900 back when I lived in England, and subsequently, I also owned a 2019 Z900 now that I’m an American. That latter model was inexpensive but also fairly basic. However, it was impressive; an excellent street bike that suited my needs at the time. Having said that, it did need a few upgrades. Well, it seems Kawasaki agree, and recently launched the Z900 SE edition—and I believe it fits the bill nicely. Matt Ayhan went to the launch, and gives us the low down.

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Hey, adventure riders, are you ready to take your rides to the next level? Introducing the SCHUBERTH E2—the second generation of SCHUBERTH’s legendary adventure helmets! Whether you’re riding hard on the roads or tackling the trails, the E2 has you covered with cutting-edge safety and comfort. The E2 has a 2-position top vent ventilation system ensures a fresh airflow, while its fog-resistant visor keeps your view crystal clear in cold conditions. Plus, the SCHUBERTH E2 features a new enlarged spoiler for better aerodynamics and an air extractor for a quieter, more comfortable ride. The SCHUBERTH E2 meets the highest safety standards. The E2 also comes with a pre-installed comms system, so you can stay connected on the go. Visit SCHUBERTH.com to check out the E2 and explore more options for your next adventure.

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Today's Snippet brings you the newly launched X5 camera from Insta360, a leader in 360-degree action camera technology. Matt Ayhan also went to the launch of the new Insta360 X5 camera at Inde Motorsports Ranch in Arizona. Our friends from the Yamaha Champions Riding School were there with riding tips and the awesome fleet of Yamahas they provide. Matt gives me his impressions of the new X5 camera and why it is making such a splash in the world of action cameras.  To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your Insta360 X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", or click here Insta360  available for the first 30 purchases only.

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Our guest this episode is lady racer and now team owner Melissa Paris. Melissa was a fierce and fearless competitor when she was racing full-time. She broke barriers in a male-dominated sport, and made history as the first woman to qualify for a World Supersport race, and also achieved the highest female finish in the Daytona 200 that year finishing in the top 10. Other career highlights include winning the Lightweight GP National Championship, and earning multiple top-10 finishes in the MotoAmerica Supersport class. Melissa was also part of the first all-female team to complete the Bol d’Or 24 Hour World Endurance Championship race, and repeated that feat at LeMans a year later. Now she’s translated her competitive skills to her Moto America race team named MP13. The team now competes in the Supersport and Super Twins categories. Married to five-time AMA Superbike champion Josh Hayes, this amazing and inspirational lady manages to balance her and Josh’s racing exploits while they raise their two kids as well.

Instagram MP13

Facebook MP13

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

The Arai Difference: If your experience has been that “Arai helmets are hard to get on,” then the Contour-X, designed with a wider bottom opening than previous models for easier on/off, is the helmet you’ve been waiting for. Once inside, you will be amazed at the extreme comfort, a key benefit of the Contour-X for long-distance touring, and if you’re into ADV or dual-sport riding, then you’ll want to check out the new Arai XD-5. So try on an Arai at your local dealer. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

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This week’s two segments both bring you something a little different…

In our first segment, Don Williams and Kelly Callan chat about Beta Alp X 350. This modest displacement single cylinder four-stroke from the Italian factory is described as an “Urban Adventure” bike. With styling that would fit well in a Mad Max movie, the rugged looking machine exudes fun and cool in equal measure. Don and Kelly discuss whether the Alp X lives up to its charisma.    

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Today's Snippet brings you the newly launched X5 camera from Insta360, a leader in 360-degree action camera technology. Adam Singer from Insta360 tells us all about the incredible new X5 that shoots in ALL directions at once, and in 8K30 mega hi-resolution. You can create epic motorcycling shots without even having to aim the camera. Literally, just hit record… focus on your ride… and then in the easy and smooth edit find the best angles using Insta360's mobile app. Its amazing AI tools make it super quick. The X5 is every camera you'll ever need in one, so for instance, you can try an immersive POV that includes your handlebars; or try unique, third-person shots of you and your bike. From morning to night, X5's huge new sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode, deliver never seen before detail and image quality. It's waterproof, reliable, and has inexpensive, completely replaceable, lenses.

To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your Insta360 X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", available for the first 30 purchases only. For more information, visit Insta360.com.   

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Our guest this episode is again, something different. I doubt you have ever heard of IR Kinetics. The company uses a proprietary infra-red technology that tracks objects to within centimeters of their locations—in real time. For motorcycle enthusiasts, this has massive implications. One example they’re currently working on is where video gaming and MotoGP could intersect. The company could create a hybrid experience where you could ‘virtually’ race against the other riders on track. Imagine if you could line up on the grid next to Marc and Pecco, and see if you could compete? This is just one of many ideas from IR Kinetics. Teejay Adams chats with Gilly Switalski (CEO of IR Kinetics), and Stefy Bau. Stefy won three world motocross championships, two WMX USA championships, plus the Loretta Lynn AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship and seven Italian Championships. Gilly and Stefy enthusiastically explain the technology and how it’s about to change our motorcycling world. It’s a cliché, but it could literally be a game-changer. Check out this video on IRK

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

The Arai Difference: If your experience has been that “Arai helmets are hard to get on,” then the Contour-X, designed with a wider bottom opening than previous models for easier on/off, is the helmet you’ve been waiting for. Once inside, you will be amazed at the extreme comfort, a key benefit of the Contour-X for long-distance touring. If you’re into ADV or dual-sport riding, then you’ll want to check out the new Arai XD-5. So try on an Arai at your local dealer. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

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In our first segment, Don Williams and Kelly Callan chat about her recent visit to the Moto Guzzi factory in Noale, Italy, and her ride on the all-new Moto Guzzi V7 Sport. This is really cool retro-ride, but with modern amenities and Moto Guzzi’s legendary handling.

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Today's episode is sponsored by Insta360, a leader in 360-degree action camera technology. (check out Marc Marquez Insta360!)

Insta360 just-launched their latest 360-degree camera, Insta360 X5, and it shoots in ALL directions at once… in incredible 8K30 hi-resolution. This will give you epic motorcycling shots without even aiming the camera. Just hit record… focus on your ride… and then find the best angles in the edit using Insta360's mobile app. It's easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools! X5 is every camera you'll need in one … you can see more of your 'bars with an immersive POV, or you can film unique, third-person shots of you and your bike. From morning rallies to night rides, X5's huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode deliver unmatched detail and image quality! It's waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360's toughest-ever lenses and lens guards ...and by the way, both of those are completely replaceable.

To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your Insta360 X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "ULTIMATE", available for the first 30 purchases only. For more information, be sure to check out the link above, or visit Insta360.com.   

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Hey, adventure riders, are you ready to take your rides to the next level? Introducing the SCHUBERTH E2—the second generation of SCHUBERTH’s legendary adventure helmets! Whether you’re riding hard on the roads or tackling the trails, the E2 has you covered with cutting-edge safety and comfort. 

The E2 has a 2-position top vent ventilation system ensures a fresh airflow, while its fog-resistant visor keeps your view crystal clear in cold conditions. Plus, the SCHUBERTH E2 features a new enlarged spoiler for better aerodynamics and an air extractor for a quieter, more comfortable ride.

The SCHUBERTH E2 meets the highest safety standards. The E2 also comes with a pre-installed comms system, so you can stay connected on the go. Visit SCHUBERTH.com to check out the E2 and explore more options for your next adventure.

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Our guest this episode is Jensen Beeler, CEO of Kramer Motorcycles, USA, distributors of the highly specialized German-engineered, track-only racebikes. MotoGP fans have been asking for many years why so few Americans make it to MotoGP any more—and it’s not because we lack the talent! Truth is, youngsters in this country simply don’t get the experience of riding purpose-built racebikes. Our motorcycle racing tends to be on converted production motorcycles—and as good as they are, it’s not the same thing. Moto America’s just-launched Talent Cup class uses the brand new specially designed Kramer APX-350 MA spec motorcycles, specifically to nurture US youngsters into Moto3, and then hopefully on to MotoGP. These Kramer machines are accessible and relatively affordable. Jensen explains how and why this strategy is likely to work, and why it matters to anyone interested in seeing America compete on the global stage of motorcycle racing.

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Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

In our first segment, Don Williams asks Kelly Callan about her recent visit to the Aprilia factory in Noale, Italy, and her ride on the all-new 2026 Aprilia Tuono 457. This upright, naked, sporting motorcycle sounds like major fun, and it’s also priced just right too.

Hey, adventure riders, are you ready to take your rides to the next level? Introducing the SCHUBERTH E2—the second generation of SCHUBERTH’s legendary adventure helmets! Whether you’re riding hard on the roads or tackling the trails, the E2 has you covered with cutting-edge safety and comfort. The SCHUBERTH E2 is the perfect mix between comfort and the aggressive look and feel of an offroad helmet. The new E2 also integrates all the latest SCHUBERTH standards in terms of safety, aerodynamics and aeroacoustics performance. 

Need to stay cool in extreme heat? The E2 has a 2-position top vent ventilation system ensures a fresh airflow, while its fog-resistant visor keeps your view crystal clear in cold conditions. Plus, the SCHUBERTH E2 features a new enlarged spoiler for better aerodynamics and an air extractor for a quieter, more comfortable ride.

With P/J homologation, a fiber glass shell, and the Anti-Roll-Off-System, the SCHUBERTH E2 meets the highest safety standards. The E2 also comes with a pre-installed comms system, so you can stay connected on the go. Ready to ride with confidence? Visit SCHUBERTH.com to check out the E2 and explore more options for your next adventure.

Our guest this episode is award-winning stuntman, Rick English. Despite his humility and modesty, Rick has an astonishing list of movies where he’s ridden and crashed motorcycles, including Mission Impossible 5, Batman, Kingsman, Deadpool, and Inception. More recently he’s worked on Netflix movies The Union, and Back in Action with Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz. Teejay Adams chats with Rick about what it’s like to work with stars like Tom Cruise, Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds, Mark Wahlberg, and so many more. Rick gives a special shout-out to Knox Armor that he uses to protect himself when he knows he’s going to hit the ground hard. You can also follow him on X @Rick_English. 

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

The Motos and Friends Podcast is brought to you by Arai helmets. The founder of Arai Helmets was the man who created the first motorcycle helmet in Japan to protect his own head, and as a result, launched the Japanese motorcycle helmet industry. Arai focuses on glancing off performance, accumulating small differences decade after decade, to further rider protection. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

This episode we’re revving up with something seriously cool—the 2025 Indian Chieftain PowerPlus Limited 112. This classic bagger’s got a championship heart, rocking the same motor that’s snagged back-to-back MotoAmerica King of the Baggers wins. You’ve seen the 108 in the Pursuit and Challenger, but now the Chieftain’s stepping up with a slick liquid-cooled V-twin, some chassis upgrades, as well as a bunch of fancy electronic rider aids. Don Williams hit the Nevada desert to put this 21st-century beast to the test.

Our second segment this week is a real treat, because Arthur Coldwells sits down with the legend himself—three-time world Grand Prix Champion Freddie Spencer. 2025 is the 40-year anniversary of his double Championship win, and he asked Freddie about that unreal season where he pulled off something that will never be repeated: winning both the 250cc and 500cc class Championships at the same time. That’s the equivalent of winning both the Moto2 and MotoGP Championships in the same year. Most people likely assume that riding both machines at the limit is similar… Wrong. Actually it takes total single-minded discipline and a completely different riding style for each one.  Freddie gives us the nuances of exactly what he had to do, and how he accomplished it. So, grab a drink, settle in, and let’s hear from Freddie about how he literally made history at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, where he beat the very best in the world—twice in the same year.

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

Build.Train.Race

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

The Motos and Friends Podcast is brought to you by Arai helmets. The founder of Arai Helmets was the man who created the first motorcycle helmet in Japan to protect his own head, and as a result, launched the Japanese motorcycle helmet industry. Arai focuses on glancing off performance, accumulating small differences decade after decade, to further rider protection.

The Arai Difference: If your experience has been that “Arai helmets are hard to get on,” then the Contour-X, designed with a wider bottom opening than previous models for easier on/off, is the helmet you’ve been waiting for. Once inside, you will be amazed at the extreme comfort, a key benefit of the Contour-X for long-distance touring, and if you’re into ADV or dual-sport riding, then you’ll want to check out the new Arai XD-5. So try on an Arai at your local dealer. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

In our second segment this week, Neale Bayly chats with author Sam Manicom. Sam’s amazing story-telling recounts his adventures that really began with his travels in Africa. The adventures he recounts in this episode make for some fun listening, and his final message at the end will certainly inspire all of us ...and perhaps, a few may even take his advice!

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Our guest this week is Brian Case, Executive Director of the Barber Motorsports Museum in Alabama; home to one of the greatest motorcycle collections anywhere. A few months back, Teejay Adams attended the glittering Motorcycles by Moonlight event dinner, held each year during the Barber Vintage Festival. It’s a pretty magical event, and so Teejay finds out from Brian why it’s a must-do event if you’re at all interested in motorcycles.

Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.  

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Our guest this week is Gary Turner, Managing Director of Blackstone TEK (BST). a company renowned for its design and production of carbon fiber wheels and other composite components for motorcycles. Gary chats with Neale Bayly and takes us through his amazing motorcycle journey. Turner started racing when he was 16. Some of the bikes Gary has ridden and raced include the rare and incredible Britten, as well as the Ducati Supermono. BST supplied the carbon fiber on such super-exotics as the Ecosse and the various Confederate models, and is currently a partner with Arch Motorcycle, the Gard Hollinger/Keanu Reeves project. It’s been a fascinating ride so far for Gary, and it’s an equally fascinating high-octane listen for us.  

Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.  

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

This week, Editor Don Williams tells us about Honda’s revamped version of its mid-size ADV-bike, the Honda NX500. The NX is a lot more than just a rebadged CB500X though, although it is the same reliable, versatile, broadly accommodating motorcycle it has been for over a decade. While the NX500 isn’t likely to be the coolest bike in your garage, it might be the most versatile and practical, and despite a litany of upgrades and new features, it’s only $100 more than last year’s CB500X‚ so it’s definitely a steal. Honda clearly hasn’t lost sight of what makes their midsize adventure bike so appealing, and Don thoroughly enjoyed putting it through its paces. 

As many listeners may know, I had the new Suzuki GSX-S1000 GX+ on long-term test until recently, and frankly I loved the bike from the outset. The GX+ is now considered to be Suzuki’s flagship. With its plethora of features and complex electronics systems, I decided to ask Chase Rastegar and Avery Innis from Suzuki to appear on this episode as I wanted them to de-mystify the GX+ and find out what really makes it so very good.  

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too! Anyway, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

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 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

This episode features Don Williams and Nic de Sena discussing the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 900. We first met Triumph’s gateway Bonneville-based motorcycle back when it was known as the Street Twin in 2016, known as the most affordable parallel-twin-powered machine in Triumph’s Modern Classic lineup. A name change and a few updates later, this fun-loving standard seizes the middleweight mantle, slotting itself between the Speed 400 (a single-cylinder machine, BTW) and the larger-displacement Speed Twin 1200.

In our second segment this week, Neale Bayly chats with racer Pat Mooney. Pat recently retired from road racing, but his exploits and story from his long career are an entertaining listen.  

Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

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Have you seen the Yamaha MT-09, the ultimate Hyper Naked experience? Now this is a gift you’re really going to want to give yourself! The MT-09 is ready to dominate the streets with its aggressive styling, powerful CP3 engine, and advanced technology. The 890cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine delivers thrilling torque, exceptional fuel efficiency, and with its quick, precise handling and great brakes, the MT-09 absolutely delivers pure performance. The MT-09 comes with a full-color TFT display and intuitive switchgear so you can customize your ride with four different display themes. Make no mistake: The MT-09 is more than just a motorcycle; it's a stunning statement. With its aggressive styling, unmatched performance, and incredible handling, this is a real motorcycle that turns heads. Check out the MT-09 at your local dealer or at YamahaMotorsports.com

In this week’s first segment, Editor Don Williams tells us about the riding the new Honda Shadow Aero. This classic cruiser has been around for a long time, but it’s had a recent upgrade that’s worth mentioning. This uber-cool looking machine is incredible value for money, and yet it also provides that street-cred we all like too.

Capture the magic of life on two wheels with Insta360 X4, the most popular camera for motorcyclists today! There’s also the Insta360 Ace Pro2 action camera that comes with a Leica lens for a crystal clear picture. With the X4 you can shoot full 360-degree video in 8K resolution, and then choose any angle you want after your ride. It's incredible! From immersive POVs to unique, third-person shots of you and your bike, the X4 does it all. You'll get over 2 hours run time at 5.7K or you can plug it into your bike's USB port and go all day. It even doubles as a dash cam! It's totally waterproof, tough as nails, and incredibly easy to use. By the way, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the motorcyclist in your life, you should check out the great promotion we’re running just in time for this Holiday Season! The first 30 purchasers that head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code MOTOSANDFRIENDS will bag a free $99 Motorcycle Kit plus a selfie stick.

In our second segment Neale Bayly chats with Jim Calandro. Jim started his motorcycle career when he was stationed in Germany many years ago, and after a number of years on several different bikes (including a Suzuki Gixxer 750) he started racing his RD400 Yamaha. We pick up Jim’s story when he started racing, and then went on to found the Ducati Club in Charlotte North Carolina, which organized track days, weekends away, a magazine, and a website. Jim’s accomplished moto career also included some coaching with Sport Bike Track Time. Neale’s chat with Jim is a fun look at the good times he’s had, thanks to his love of two-wheels.       

Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

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 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700, the ultimate adventure bike designed to conquer any terrain. The Tenere 700 has a powerful 689cc liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder engine, delivering adrenaline-pumping performance for both on-road cruising and off-road exploration. It's built for the bold; ready to tackle gravel, dirt, or pavement with equal confidence. With a lightweight chassis and long-travel suspension, every ride feels effortless, offering agility and stability in every twist and turn. Plus, adjustable suspension means you can tailor the ride to suit your adventure style. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.  

What’s better than riding Triumph’s new TF 450-RC motocross bike we ask? Well the answer has to be riding the new Triumph motocross bike alongside the GOAT Ricky Carmichael! In the first segment this episode, Will Embree chats with Don Williams about riding the new machine; hanging with Ricky Carmichael, and they go on to discuss the state of motocross and off-road racing in general, in this country. If you’re into dirt bikes, you’ll really enjoy this one.  

With the Snippet this episode, we’re bringing you the second part of the amazing action cameras from Insta360. Associate Editor Neill Wyenn has had several Insta360 cameras and now gives us the lowdown on the latest version, the new Insta360 X4. We’re right in gift-giving season so what better gift for any motorcycle rider is there than a great action camera? So, just in time, don’t forget that the first 30 purchasers who use the promo code MOTOANDFRIENDS, will bag a free Motorcycle Kit plus a selfie stick! That’s a $99 value with your Insta360 X4 purchase. Head to the Black Friday sale and save up to 47%!! 

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with motorcycle designer John Keogh. John first worked on the Triumph T595 Daytona and Speed Triple before going freelance. He was then instrumental on various designs at Buell working on the XB Firebolt, the Lightning, the Ulysses & the 1125R. John was also a design partner at US-based Taylormade Racing with the Brough Moto 2 project in 2013, that was a full-monocoque GP bike with a carbon-fiber chassis raced by Jeremy McWilliams at the British GP in 2014.

John Keogh Instagram 

GSKRacing design/prints

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

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Introducing the Yamaha MT-09, the ultimate Hyper Naked experience. With its aggressive styling, powerful CP3 engine, and advanced technology, the MT-09 is ready to dominate the streets. Feel the raw power of the MT-09's 890cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine. Delivering thrilling torque and exceptional fuel efficiency, this machine is built for performance. Experience the future of Hyper Naked technology with the MT-09's five-inch full-color TFT display and intuitive switchgear. Customize your ride with four different display themes and navigate effortlessly through the controls. The MT-09 is more than just a motorcycle; it's a statement. With its aggressive styling and unmatched performance, it's ready to turn heads and dominate the streets. Discover the MT-09. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com

If you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App a new concept in podcasting.

In this week’s first segment, Editors Don Williams and Nic de Sena tell us about the 2024 BMW R 12 nineT. With the standard R 12 taking on the job as a sporty cruiser for urban dwellers, this version of the model looks to satisfy more performance-oriented customers. Don put plenty of miles on the new R 12 nineT up and down California and he tells us all about it.

For the Snippet this episode, we’d like you hear more about the amazing action cameras from Insta360.  I asked Adam Stringer from Insta360 to tell us his take on why their cameras are so popular with motorcycle riders, and to let us know what’s new from the company. Oh yes… and don’t forget, the first 30 purchasers who use the promo code MOTOSANDFRIENDS, will bag a free Motorcycle Kit plus selfie stick! Those are worth $99 with any Insta360 X4 purchase. So head to store.insta360.com and get yours now.

In our second segment Teejay Adams has a chat with Ed Milich, a life-long motorcycle rider, and a mechanical engineer for over two decades. He is now a consultant and expert witness supporting legal clients on motorcycle and vehicle-related subjects. Ed is a championship-winning motorcycle racer and fabricator, and has won races at Daytona, Willow Springs, Laguna Seca, Miller Motorsports Park, Barber Motorsports Park, and numerous other venues on motorcycles of his own construction and design. In the good ole print days, Ed was a regular contributor to several magazines including Motorcyclist, American Historic Racing Motorcycle Magazine, and the Moto Guzzi National Owners Magazine.

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Introducing the Yamaha MT-09, the ultimate Hyper Naked experience. With its aggressive styling, powerful CP3 engine, and advanced technology, the MT-09 is ready to dominate the streets. Feel the raw power of the MT-09's 890cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine. Delivering thrilling torque and exceptional fuel efficiency, this machine is built for performance. Experience the future of Hyper Naked technology with the MT-09's five-inch full-color TFT display and intuitive switchgear. Customize your ride with four different display themes and navigate effortlessly through the controls. The MT-09 is more than just a motorcycle; it's a statement. With its aggressive styling and unmatched performance, it's ready to turn heads and dominate the streets. Discover the MT-09. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com

In this week’s first segment, Editors Don Williams and Nic de Sena tell us about the incredibly versatile KTM 890 SMT. Could this bike be an all-rounder? Every rider will see its strengths differently. The SM part stands for Supermoto, however the T actually means touring—and you’re not touring when you’re riding supermoto …or can you? There are even more uses for the SMT that aren’t revealed in the three-letter designation, so Don and Nic push the starter button, and bring the LC8c parallel twin to life.

Capture the magic of life on two wheels with Insta360 X4, the most popular camera for motorcyclists today! Shoot full 360-degree video in 8K resolution, then choose any angle you want after your ride. It's incredible! From immersive POVs to unique, third-person shots of you and your bike, Insta360 X4 does it all. You'll get over 2 hours run time at 5.7K or plug it into your bike's USB port and go all day. It's totally waterproof, tough as nails, and incredibly easy to use. It even doubles as a dash cam! To bag a free Motorcycle Kit plus selfie stick worth $99 with any Insta360 X4 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code MOTOANDFRIENDS, available for the first 30 purchases only.

In our second segment Teejay Adams chats with lady-racer Holly Varey. You may know that Holly was one of the competitors in Royal Enfield’s brilliant BTR racing series in 2022 and 2023, and in the final race she finished on the podium. But there’s a lot more to Holly’s racing and she also wrenches and competes in several different AHRMA historic racing classes on a variety of machinery. Teejay caught up with Holly after the recent Barber Vintage Festival at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. Holly is very articulate and descriptive, so it’s fascinating to hear her talk about how she got started, what motivates her, and about some of the awesome motorcycles she’s ridden along the way.

Holly Varey: Instagram | Facebook 

Royal Enfield BTR: Instagram | website 

Vintage Road Racing Association: Instagram | website

AHRMA: Instagram  | website

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Introducing the Yamaha MT-09, the ultimate Hyper Naked experience. With its aggressive styling, powerful CP3 engine, and advanced technology, the MT-09 is ready to dominate the streets. Feel the raw power of the MT-09's 890cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine. Delivering thrilling torque and exceptional fuel efficiency, this machine is built for performance. Experience the future of Hyper Naked technology with the MT-09's five-inch full-color TFT display and intuitive switchgear. Customize your ride with four different display themes and navigate effortlessly through the controls. The MT-09 is more than just a motorcycle; it's a statement. With its aggressive styling and unmatched performance, it's ready to turn heads and dominate the streets. Discover the MT-09. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com

In this week’s first segment, Nic de Sena tells us all about the new Yamaha MT-09 SP. The SP comes hot on the heels of the standard MT-09 update earlier this year, with three key upgrades: top-shelf KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, and some interesting racetrack-inspired electronics.

Interestingly, the MT-09 SP has now been joined by the long-awaited 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9. Revealed just last week, the track-only R9 is the larger sibling to the R7. It’s got the same excellent triple-cylinder CP3 engine as the MT-09, yet the R9 is a full supersport machine that’s positioned to go up against the other machines in the class. It’ll be interesting to see how it fares, and as soon as we’ve had a chance to ride it, we’ll let you know!

Capture the magic of life on two wheels with Insta360 X4, the most popular camera for motorcyclists today! Shoot full 360-degree video in 8K resolution, then choose any angle you want after your ride. It's incredible! From immersive POVs to unique, third-person shots of you and your bike, X4 does it all. You'll get over 2 hours run time at 5.7K or plug it into your bike's USB port and go all day. It's totally waterproof, tough as nails, and incredibly easy to use. It even doubles as a dash cam! To bag a free Motorcycle Kit plus selfie stick worth $99 with any X4 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code MOTOSANDFRIENDS, available for the first 30 purchases only.

In our second segment I chat with motorcycle racing royalty, 3-time 500cc World Champion ‘King’ Kenny Roberts. Both Kenny and his son’s world championship winning motorcycles—as well as one of Team KR’s Proton MotoGP racebikes and all their memorabilia—is now all a permanent part of the Barber Motorsports Museum Collection. 

I sat down with Kenny at the recent Barber Vintage Festival, and he talks to me in his frank and funny style about almost everything. Why the bike now on display (his 1980 Grand Prix race-winning Yamaha YZR500) is his favorite race bike; what drove him to such extraordinary achievements; and what it was like to ride—and win—on the fearsome Yamaha TZ750 2-stroke dirt tracker that one time at the Indy Mile. Kenny candidly tells me what’s different about the modern era race bikes compared to his era; why he wouldn’t hire legend Max Biaggi to ride his KR MotoGP bike; what he thought of his fearsome rival Barry Sheene, and of course, with a twinkle in his eye—why he likes English women. It’s a fascinating insight into one of the truly greatest motorcycle racers of all time.

So, without further ado, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we really think you’re going to enjoy this episode!

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Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700, the ultimate adventure bike designed to conquer any terrain. The Tenere 700 has a powerful 689cc liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder engine, delivering adrenaline-pumping performance for both on-road cruising and off-road exploration. It's built for the bold; ready to tackle gravel, dirt, or pavement with equal confidence. With a lightweight chassis and long-travel suspension, every ride feels effortless, offering agility and stability in every twist and turn. Plus, adjustable suspension means you can tailor the ride to suit your adventure style. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.  

Unfortunately it rained at the launch earlier this year in Spain, so Nic de Sena got hold of a 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo and tested it thoroughly on both track and on the street in California. You may be thinking of switching brands, or you might also be looking to upgrade from a middleweight, but as Nic said, the big KTM super-naked gives you “the most fun for the buck”. It’s a highly complex machine and Nic explains all.

In our second segment this week, Arthur Coldwells chats with the thoughtful and brilliant motorcycle designer, JT Nesbitt of Bienville Studios in New Orleans. Actually, JT is the designer of the premiere edition cover bike of Robb Report Motorcycling magazine back in 2004—the Wraith. JT’s latest project is the exquisite-looking Magnolia 4; a breathtakingly beautiful retro-styled, inline-4 motorcycle. Check out Bienville Studios for pictures and more information on the design journey that JT and his team have been on for the last few years.  

By the way, if you’re into Dual-Sport riding, then should check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s completely redesigned, and typical Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. For example, the new visor system is designed to maximize vision and surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail; there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”. A helmet is not only about safety, it’s also about comfort. The incredible fit and plush interior of any of the Arai helmets is immediately noticeable.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

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Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700, the ultimate adventure bike designed to conquer any terrain. The Tenere 700 has a powerful 689cc liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder engine, delivering adrenaline-pumping performance for both on-road cruising and off-road exploration. It's built for the bold; ready to tackle gravel, dirt, or pavement with equal confidence. With a lightweight chassis and long-travel suspension, every ride feels effortless, offering agility and stability in every twist and turn. Plus, adjustable suspension means you can tailor the ride to suit your adventure style. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.  

Suzuki’s new flagship is a street sportbike with adventure bike styling. I’ve been riding the all new crossover GSX-S1000 GX+ with its awesome electronics package and semi-active suspension. I was able to have an extensive chat with Teejay Adams on the pros and cons of this magical motorcycle.

In our second segment this week, Teejay chats with EveAnna Manley. She is President of Manley Laboratories, the Chino, California, based Manley Labs that produces recording, mixing, mastering and playback audio equipment. But there’s a lot more to EveAnna than just designing and manufacturing incredible audio gear, she’s also an avid motorcycle rider and is Secretary of the Pasadena Motorcycle Club, the third one oldest motorcycle club in the world! She’s a multi-talented lady with a great sense of humor too.

By the way, if you’re into Dual-Sport riding, then should check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s completely redesigned, and typical Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. For example, the new visor system is designed to maximize vision and surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail; there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”. A helmet is not only about safety, it’s also about comfort. The incredible fit and plush interior of any of the Arai helmets is immediately noticeable.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

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 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700, the ultimate adventure bike designed to conquer any terrain. The Tenere 700 has a powerful 689cc liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder engine, delivering adrenaline-pumping performance for both on-road cruising and off-road exploration. It's built for the bold; ready to tackle gravel, dirt, or pavement with equal confidence. With a lightweight chassis and long-travel suspension, every ride feels effortless, offering agility and stability in every twist and turn. Plus, adjustable suspension means you can tailor the ride to suit your adventure style. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.  

Honda’s legendary engineering prowess has led to many innovations over the years. Not least, Honda was the first company to come up with a seamless transmission in MotoGP, and of course we’re now seeing the incredible Dual Clutch Transmission on several models, the favorite of mine being the outstanding Gold Wing touring bike. Well now we’re seeing something very different again. The new Honda CBR- and CB650R models are now equipped with Honda’s all-new E-clutch technology. This automates the clutch operation with computer-controlled electronic assistance—while still allowing the rider to use the clutch manually if they want to! This amazing innovation will especially appeal to new riders, but clearly it could be fitted to just about any of the Honda range too. Nic de Sena has ridden using the new e-clutch, and he and Don discuss the pros and cons.

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with Mark Long of the relatively new Driven to Ride podcast that shares the stories of motorcyclists from all walks of life. Mark came to podcasting via radio, so he’s a genuine professional in the audio world, and as an avid motorcycle rider, it seems like a natural fit to have him around in the motorcycle audio business. Mark explores his life-changing experiences on two wheels, with one of his first ventures to the iconic Sturgis motorcycle rally in the Black Hills of South Dakota. If you haven’t listened to Driven to Ride, then you really should. Anything we can all do to help bring more enthusiasts to motorcycling has to be a good thing!

By the way, if you’re into Dual-Sport riding, then should check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s completely redesigned, and typical Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. For example, the new visor system is designed to maximize vision and surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail; there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”. A helmet is not only about safety, it’s also about comfort. The incredible fit and plush interior of any of the Arai helmets is immediately noticeable.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

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Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700, the ultimate adventure bike designed to conquer any terrain. The Tenere 700 has a powerful 689cc liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder engine, delivering adrenaline-pumping performance for both on-road cruising and off-road exploration. It's built for the bold; ready to tackle gravel, dirt, or pavement with equal confidence. With a lightweight chassis and long-travel suspension, every ride feels effortless, offering agility and stability in every twist and turn. Plus, adjustable suspension means you can tailor the ride to suit your adventure style. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.  

There’s nothing quite like massive amounts of torque to make a motorcycle accelerate in a real hurry, and that is one of the allures of an electric motorcycle. In this week’s first segment, Don Williams talks about riding the new Verge TS Pro. There are several areas where this bike is unusual, not least its looks. But its claimed torque output of 738 ft/lbs is such a ludicrous-sounding number it raises a bunch of questions. Having ridden it briefly around Malibu, Don fills us in on whether this very different motorcycle is actually worth a real look.   

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with Rick Glover and his son Cooper. Cooper is only just a teenager, but he’s shown real promise on the racetrack, and indeed, he won the SFLMiniGP series Championship in 2023. Truth is, America needs these youngsters to progress in the sport so that we can have real competitors once more at the MotoGP level. Cooper’s Dad Rick fills us in on the effort and commitment needed to bring his son to the forefront of motorcycle racing with the ultimate goal of reaching the world stage.

So, from all of us here at Motos and Friends, we hope you enjoy this episode!   

By the way, if you’re into Dual-Sport riding, then should check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s completely redesigned, and typical Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. For example, the new visor system is designed to maximize vision and surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail; there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”. A helmet is not only about safety, it’s also about comfort. The incredible fit and plush interior of any of the Arai helmets is immediately noticeable.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

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Whether you're chasing the next horizon on the highway, or blazing trails through the wilderness, the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700 is your ticket to adventure. Learn more at Yamaha Motorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.

In this week’s first segment, our big boss Editor Don Williams chats with Senior Editor Nic de Sena about a new ADV machine he’s recently been raving about: the all-new BMW F 900 GS. Don rode the middleweight 900 GS extensively, and he compares its upgrades to the previous model 850. So: is this new 900 a serious contender in the rapidly growing middleweight ADV category or is it just a slightly more powerful 850?

In our second segment this week, I chat with Gard Hollinger, co-Founder of Arch Motorcycle. Since its inception, Arch has developed a stellar reputation for making exquisitely crafted and beautifully finished American V-Twin motorcycles. Of course most people already know that movie-star Keanu Reeves is the other half of Arch Motorcycle, so among the many things I wanted you to learn was how the company got started, where it's going, and whether Keanu is just a sleeping partner in the company?

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Whether you're chasing the next horizon on the highway, or blazing trails through the wilderness, the 2024 Yamaha Téneré is your ticket to adventure. Learn more at Yamaha Motorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Téneré 700 for yourself.

In this week’s first segment Don Williams and Nic de Sena tell you all about the new Moto Morini Seiemmezzo STR Sport. Moto Morini has been around since 1937 and the now Chinese-owned company is bringing the classic Italian brand back to America. The STR Sport is an international mix of truly high-quality components, with a 650 parallel twin engine licensed from Kawasaki; Japanese suspension from KYB, Italian brakes from Brembo, and German electronics from Bosch. However, the Seiemmezzo is quite heavy, and Don gives us his impressions on how the bike rides and whether it’s likely to be a real hit, or a miss.

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with Whit Bazemore. I think we can safely say that Whit is a major motorsports enthusiast as he’s done a bit of everything including drag-racing Funny Cars at the top level. But his claim to fame is as an internationally renowned photographer who discovered that his real passion is MotoGP, and he’s now planning to parlay his incredible photography into a digital MotoGP magazine called The Lean Angle.

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Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700, the ultimate adventure bike designed to conquer any terrain. Whether you're chasing the next horizon on the highway, or blazing trails through the wilderness, the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700 is your ticket to adventure. Learn more at Yamaha Motorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.

Don Williams and Nic de Sena bring you this week’s first segment on the all new BMW F 900 GS. These new middleweight enduro-style bikes are a departure from the more traditional heavyweight ADV bikes and we’re seeing several of these appear on the market. Don tells us whether BMW goes far enough to compete with the likes of KTM and Husqvarna, or whether the F 900 GS doesn’t quite reach the mark.   

In our second segment this week, Neale Bayly chats with Dustin Nere. A few years ago, Dustin decided he’d had enough. So, he sold his house, quit his job, bought himself a Suzuki DR650, and headed off to South America to discover a life of adventure! Is this is the life we all secretly want… or will hearing Dustin’s take on travel be enough to satisfy our wanderlust for the time being?

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Have you ever tried riding at the drag strip? In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with tuner and racer, ‘Shorty’ Cruz, owner of Shorty’s Performance in North Hollywood, California.  Shorty and his amazing daughter Gisela both regularly ride at Irwindale Dragstrip where they test their bikes and reaction-times inexpensively and in a safe environment. Going to the raceway doesn’t necessarily need a Top Fuel multi-million dollar dragbike; you ride whatever you like—fast or slow—and see if you’re able to hone your skills and improve your technique, no matter what machine you’re on. According to Gisela and Shorty, it’s a fun, helpful community of like-minded people and it might just appeal to you to see what you can achieve on your bike. If you’re interested in tuning your bike check out Shorty’s Performance on Facebook.   

Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something in particular you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too! Anyway, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

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This week’s first segment is the 2024 Yamaha MT-09, one of the highest performing naked upright sportbikes out there. Senior Editor Nic de Sena recently returned from the launch of the all-new three-cylinder Yamaha, and it seems he was impressed.

Motos and Friends is brought to you by Arai helmets. If you’re into Dual-Sport, then you’ll want to check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s a completely redesigned helmet, and as with everything from Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. One of the major changes is the new VAS-A visor system, derived from the one originally developed for the Corsair-X. The new visor is designed to maximize surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal of the visor and peak. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail—even those unseen. There is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”.   For instance, if your experience has been that helmets are hard to get on, then try the Arai Contour-X, designed with a wider bottom opening for easier on/off.  Once on, you will be impressed at the amazing comfort of the Contour-X, especially if you’re into long-distance touring.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with national-level Moto Trials rider and GasGas engineer Daniel Blancgonnet. Trials is an interesting discipline as although it is without doubt the slowest of all motorcycle sport, it is also arguably the hardest one to be really good at. Daniel gives us his interesting insight into what the sport is about, why he finds it so challenging, and what he really loves about it. Doing that while also working for the Pierer Mobility Group and GasGas at the same time just might be the perfect motorcycle career!     

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

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Don recently returned from Spain where he rode the new 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801. Performance comes in many forms, and certainly the Svartpilen has a unique take on things while delivering amazing speed. It’s a premium motorcycle with lots of high-end features and a unique, almost steampunk look to it that makes it a real standout. It’s fast and user-friendly, and if doing things a little differently appeals to you, then Don’s take on the new Husqvarna will be of interest.

Motos and Friends is brought to you by Arai helmets. Arai is obsessed with every detail—even those unseen. There is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”.   For instance, if your experience has been that helmets are hard to get on, then try the Arai Contour-X, designed with a wider bottom opening for easier on/off.  Once on, you will be impressed at the amazing comfort of the Contour-X, especially if you’re into long-distance touring.

If you’re into Dual-Sport, then you’ll want to check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s a completely redesigned helmet, and as with everything from Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. One of the major changes is the new VAS-A visor system, derived from the one originally developed for the Corsair-X. The new visor is designed to maximize surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal of the visor and peak. So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

If you’ve ever found yourself away from home and pining for a motorcycle ride, then Twisted Road might be the answer. In this second segment, Teejay Adams chats with Austin Rothbard, creator of the App that he describes as “the Airbnb of motorcycling”. Although your first take might be skepticism that anyone would want to rent out their precious motorcycle, it turns out that there are plenty of people not only willing to do so, but who are doing it regularly. The App has been around since 2017 and so it’s an idea that seems to be well evolved. Interesting!

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In the second segment this week, Arthur Coldwells has a really enjoyable chat with Richard Worshum, co-Founder and Designer of the exquisite retro-style Janus motorcycles. Although manufactured in Goshen, Indiana, with modern materials and using modern engines, the Janus range of bikes clearly hearken back to a much simpler time. Richard admits they can hardly be considered performance machines, so what exactly is it that makes these machines so darned attractive? Is it just the cool looks, or is there something else that’s maybe not quite so obvious?     

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In the second segment this week Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Mark Foster, Founder and expert roaster of the acclaimed Fosterbuilt Coffee, based in the Catskill Mountains of New York state. Well what does that have to do with motorcycles, I hear you ask. Well, Mark is also a passionate motorcycle guy, and in this month of April he’s giving away a custom Royal Enfield 350 motorcycle. Please visit the Fosterbuilt Coffee website for details of how to enter to win. Watch the video here. But hurry, you only have a few days to get your entry in! 

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In the second segment this week I chat with the three founders of Moto-Cyco Touring Adventures. Pat Campbell, Greg Mason, and Scott Urwick want to share their passion for themed guided tours throughout what they believe is the best place in the United States to ride—New England.  

All three guys (and their wives!) are serious motorcycle enthusiasts with more than three-and-a-half decades of combined riding experience. They have led safe, organized group rides for over 10 years and collectively, they average more than 50,000 miles of riding every year.

The themed rides sound spectacular, and after hearing their story I believe you will feel the same. I hope you will consider joining them on one of their rides.   

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Fair warning: The second segment this week is going to be controversial. Were you taught NOT to cover the brakes when riding? Were you taught NOT to brake on entry into a corner? Were you ‘coached out’ of new rider training because you didn’t grasp it quickly enough?

It seems that although new rider training is excellent in many regards, there are certain fundamentals being taught that are just plain wrong. At best, they’re causing recently new riders to leave the sport—and at worst, these incorrect fundamentals are costing lives.

This episode, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with several people who recently attended new rider training to get their take. The main discussion is led by Nick Ienatsch of Yamaha Champions Riding School, one of the several passionate voices trying to get things changed.

Whether you think you’ve been taught correctly or incorrectly, this segment will be of interest to you. We need training groups and indeed, the industry itself to get behind this movement to evolve and improve these significant points. We need those with a passion to ride motorcycles to stick with it, and not get put off and leave the sport. If you agree, please leave a comment on our social media or message us directly. Let’s get the word out and make a positive change!

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Motos and Friends is brought to you by Arai helmets. Yes, there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference” and it reflects the company’s incredible attention to detail. For instance, if your experience has been that helmets are hard to get on, then try the Arai Contour-X, designed with a wider bottom opening for easier on/off; it is the helmet you’ve been waiting for. Once on, you will be amazed at the extreme comfort of the Contour-X, a key benefit for long-distance touring.

Another example of “The Arai Difference”: Side Air Channels. The Corsair-X utilizes internal ducting, which effectively increases the extraction of hot, moist air from the eye-port area, to both help reduce shield fogging and increase your comfort. Get to your local Arai dealer and try the Contour-X and the Corsair-X, you won’t be disappointed! If you want to learn more, visit AraiAmericas.com.

In the second segment this week, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Ray Hammons. Despite his mature age, a couple years ago Ray realized a long time dream—to learn to ride a motorcycle. To say that he jumped in with both feet is somewhat of an understatement. Ray was fortunate enough to attend the YCRS Champ Street School when he first got his license, and interestingly, he credits the school with saving his life almost immediately. The topic of whether you should cover the brake when riding is actually quite controversial, and if you do it during an MSF course, you will fail. This is patently wrong, and Ray is clearly hoping the right people wake up, and this change is made to rider training across the country.  

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This week, Editors Don Williams and Nic de Sena discuss the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide. The new Street Glide has had a total revamp, from the new fairing and lights, to the engine and chassis, the Street Glide is now an even more serious bagger than before. Nic and Don take us through their experiences with the new machine and why they’re so pumped on the changes.

In the second segment this week, recently appointed Head of MV Agusta North America, Luca Dovesi, chats with me about his vision for MV Agusta North America. Luca talks about the challenges he’s facing and how he plans to leverage KTM’s sales and distribution expertise to rebuild faith in the MV Agusta brand. We all know that the Italian manufacturer has always designed and produced the most exquisite and innovative motorcycles. But now, with the Pierer Mobility Group’s considerable commitment and horsepower behind them, the future just might be looking pretty bright for MV Agusta, and us, the consumers in America.

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!

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In the second segment this week, I chat with the recently appointed Head of MV Agusta North America, Luca Dovesi. Luca started his career with Ducati in Thailand, and he then moved on to KTM Singapore where he was head of After Sales and Network Development. Three and a half years later, in January 2023, he was brought in by KTM from Singapore, to head up the re-organization and re-emergence of MV in the US. As Head of the premier brand of Italian performance motorcycles, Luca’s energy and enthusiasm came across very clearly as we talked about the progress made so far, and what KTM’s plans are for the storied Italian marque.   

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!

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In our second segment this week, Neale Bayly chats with Paul Murphy of Meticulous Restorations. Paul is a world-class restorer, currently operating out of Canada;  he has restored some amazing machines.       

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!

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In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with the one-time USA coast-to-coast speed record holder, Andrew Pieper, about the trials and tribulations of that challenge. The shortest distance between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans is the distance between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Diego, California. To attempt to do this trip in one go isn’t an easy endeavor, and it requires a lot of pre-planning, and a team of people to help make it a success. Andrew’s time was very recently beaten by a few minutes, so naturally he’s planning on getting the record back! His chat with Teejay is an interesting insight into his preparation and how he actually did it.    

Andrew Pieper World Record YouTube

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In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with Aussie motorcycle racer Tayla Relph. Tayla was recently selected to enter the inaugural FIM Women's Motorcycling World Championship, that is starting this year. Tayla talks about the physical and financial challenges, and the motivation that has brought her to competing at the top of her sport. Here’s a little known fact: Teejay’s son Reed went to high-school in Brisbane with Tayla!

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!

2024 Triumph Tiger 900 Lineup First Look

2024 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro Review 

2024 Triumph Tiger 900 Pro GT Pro Review

TaylaRelph#28 Instagram 

TaylaRelph#28 Facebook

Tayla Relph Email

Reed Peters Photography Landscape Architect

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Motos and Friends is brought to you by Arai helmets. Yes, there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference” and it reflects the company’s incredible attention to detail. For instance, if your experience has been that helmets are hard to get on, then try the Arai Contour-X, designed with a wider bottom opening for easier on/off; it is the helmet you’ve been waiting for. Once on, you will be amazed at the extreme comfort of the Contour-X, a key benefit for long-distance touring.

Another example of “The Arai Difference”: Side Air Channels. The Corsair-X utilizes internal ducting, which effectively increases the extraction of hot, moist air from the eye-port area, to both help reduce shield fogging and increase your comfort. Get to your local Arai dealer and try the Contour-X and the Corsair-X, you won’t be disappointed! If you want to learn more, visit AraiAmericas.com.

In our second segment this week, I chat with Chris Fillmore from the Pierer Mobility Group, the owners of the KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas brands. After retiring from his professional superbike racing career, Chris has now worked for PMG for around 10 years, including his recent stint as the manager of the flat-track racing program. Chris and I talk about his race experience from Motocross, Supermoto, Superbike, as well as his insight into riding a flat-track motorcycle as well. Chris’ laid-back demeanor belies his incredible ability to go fast on just about any motorcycle.

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2024 Arai Americas Brochure

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In our second segment this week, I chat with my friend Heath Cofran, the US Communications Lead for Alpinestars, the innovative safety company that we’re all so familiar with. Heath chats about some of the upcoming ideas from the company; the Tech-Air safety system and its development; and the really interesting new Supertech R10 helmet that was just launched last year and worn for the first time by Jorge Martin and Jack Miller in MotoGP.

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In our second segment this week, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with Laverda engineer, Keith Nairn. Based in Scotland, Keith is a highly specialized engine builder and tuner of these legendary Italian muscle machines. If you have need of Keith’s expertise, you’ll be able to contact him through his website at LaverdaScozia.co.uk.

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode and of course, have a fabulous Holiday season!

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In our second segment this week, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with author Rob Brooks. Rob is the founder of the RoadDirt.tv website, and he has also authored a couple of books available on Amazon as well. Despite a bit of a rough start to his motorcycling career, Rob has most definitely found his passion, and he clearly plans to keep exploring the world of motorcycles for a long time to come.  

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In our second segment this week, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with Neil Spalding. Neil is arguably the MotoGP technology writer, and as well as magazines and newspapers, he also writes the technical summaries for the MotoGP season review and Motocourse. Neil is also the author of the critically acclaimed series of books on MotoGP Technology, the officially licensed technical analysis of the MotoGP class. He was also part of the British Eurosport MotoGP commentary team.

Neil is not just a technical whiz, he also raced in a long club career where he won two Championships. Ultimately, he went on to run his own team in the British Supersport Championship. Neil has worked in MotoGP for the last 15 years, and when not at the circuits he runs Sigma Performance, a supplier of racing slipper clutches.

Don’t forget—we’re still running our Cortech Lite gloves giveaway! Simply go to the Ultimate Motorcycling Instagram or Facebook pages and find the Cortech gloves post. All you have to do is Like the post and two winners will be selected at random each week. We will message you if you’re one of the lucky winners. Please note this is only open to residents of the USA.     

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In our second segment this week, Arthur chats with Ryan Smith of CarbonSmith. Ryan is on the cutting edge of the 3D printing business, and as he personally races a motorcycle in the Moto America Twins Cup series, he has the perfect test bed for all things carbon that he manufactures. It’s a fascinating business and as well as his off-the-shelf carbon parts, if you want something more specialized, Ryan is likely the guy that can make it for you.  

Don’t forget—we’re still running our Cortech Lite gloves giveaway! Simply go to the Ultimate Motorcycling Instagram or Facebook pages and find the Cortech gloves post. All you have to do is Like the post and two winners will be selected at random each week. We will message you if you’re one of the lucky winners. Please note this is only open to residents of the USA.     

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In our second segment this week, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly talks with master mechanic David Behrend. David’s amazing career has taken him all over the world as mechanic and Crew Chief for some of the greatest riders in Moto America, World Superbike, and Moto2. David is now Technical Director for Andreani Suspension USA; if you have suspension or handling questions—David is the guy to help!

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!

Don’t forget—we’re still running our Cortech Lite gloves giveaway! Simply go to the Ultimate Motorcycling Instagram or Facebook pages and find the Cortech gloves post. All you have to do is Like the post and two winners will be selected at random each week. We will message you if you’re one of the lucky winners. Please note this is only open to residents of the USA.     

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This week’s Snippet features the Moto-Girl Lara Cargo pants that TeeJay has been wearing recently. Regular listeners will know that Teejay is a big fan of the UK company MotoGirl gear, and so she talks with distributor Amanda Phoenix of Peak Moto Gear, about the new Lara Cargo pants, and why they might work for you.

In our second segment this week, Associate Editor Jonathan Handler talks to us about his latest acquisition—the all-new Schuberth S3 helmet. Schuberth have a reputation for stellar quality, and of course the S3 exemplifies that. However Jonathan brings us up to speed on the rest of the standout features of the S3, and why you should definitely consider one as your next helmet.   

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode! 

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Honda’s much anticipated XL750 Transalp was launched last year at the international EICMA show. Editor Don Williams was rather hoping Honda would bring it to the US, and it seems he’s got his wish. After attending the US launch a few weeks ago, Don gives us his impressions of the exciting new ADV bike that is all Honda.  

In the second segment, I chat with my buddy George Beavers. George and I have ridden together for many years on the street, and he’s also raced the same Southern California tracks as I used to compete on. In this segment, George and I chat about his recently launched Moto California touring company. In September we had the pleasure of attending the dress rehearsal of the kind of touring he’s going to be hosting around the roads in Tuscany. It was truly a dream vacation, and I was excited to hear from George about his plans for the company’s future.

Regular listeners will have heard me wax lyrical about the new Cortech Lite range of gloves that I’ve been wearing for the last couple of months. Well… I twisted the corporate arm, and they kindly agreed to us giving away TEN pairs of the Cortech Lite gloves on our social media pages on Instagram and Facebook.  All you have to do is like the post; follow Cortech; and tag 2 friends in the comments, to be entered into a random drawing. We will contact the winners by DM. This giveaway is limited to US residents only. Check us out on your favorite social platform for all the details and hopefully you’ll win a pair of Cortech Lites!   

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode. 

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In the second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Maddi Patterson (Insta @maddi_paddy). Maddi started out as an umbrella girl on the MotoGP grid. But, there’s a lot more to Maddi than just good looks. She’s bright, articulate, and a really good creative writer. Ultimately, she’s managed to parlay those talents into becoming a journalist. Maddi’s driving force is helping others, and she’s done everything from adopting a donkey, mentoring young up and coming racers, and advocating for rider safety. Significantly, she and her husband raised money for Ukraine and made several trips to the war zone carrying in much needed medical supplies. There’s a lot to be admired about Maddi Patterson, including her survival from a life-changing accident.

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode.  

Racing for Ukraine

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In our product Snippet this week, I chat with Teejay Adams about the new Cortech Lite gloves. Essentially, Cortech has utilized a new type of material that is both super-thin yet tough, and perfectly suited to lightweight riding gloves.

In our second segment Teejay Adams has a fun chat with an influencer she recently met on the Kawasaki Eliminator launch in California. @AyaLolwut (Instagram) is a motorcycle enthusiast through and through. Aya is a software engineer for a healthcare provider, and she also models—sometimes with a motorcycle, sometimes without. Aya is a busy lady and seems to split her time between riding, modeling, riding, working, wrenching, and then apparently, riding some more.  

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!

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In our product Snippet this week, Arthur Coldwells introduces you to the recently launched Cortech Lite gloves that have really got riders talking. Essentially, Cortech has utilized a new type of material that is both tough, yet also super-thin, to make 3 variations of a riding glove. He's a big fan of feel and feedback when riding, so he decided to try out a pair of Cortech Lites when on a recent tour round Tuscany with MotoCalifornia.

Our second segment features Mark ‘Thriller’ Miller. Mark’s electrifying 20-year professional racing career saw him race—and finish on the podium—at Macau; 46 starts at the Isle of Man TT; National factory racing during the AMA heyday; and even a stint endurance racing at the Bol d’Or 24 hours. Mark is now a commentator at the IOM event, and his easy style of narrative makes for fascinating listening. It belies his electrifying experiences that include surviving a shockingly fast crash at Ago’s Leap, as well as winning a TT riding the fabled Moto Czysz electric racebike.

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In the second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with teen racing sensation Kayla Yaakov.  Kayla made a name for herself in the smaller classes as she was growing up, but having just turned 16 a few weeks ago, she was able to move up a class and race 600 Supersport for Tytler’s Racing at the last Moto America race of this year. In case you’re thinking this may be hype—she finished on the podium in 3rd place, having started the race 13th on the grid. That’s a heck of an accomplishment for a first race in the most competitive class of them all. Teejay chats with Kayla about growing up and where it all started.     

From all of us here at Motos & Friends… we hope you enjoy this episode!

Kayla Yaakov Facebook

Kayla Yaakov Instagram 

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In the second segment, Teejay chats with Dale Schmidtchen. Dale has been around racing and the motorcycle industry for several decades now, and he has the inside track on some interesting stuff. He recently moved to Thailand for work, but has clearly fallen in love with the country and its people. Sure, we’ve all heard about the bars and nightspots, and the amazing beaches, but there’s a lot more to Thailand than just those. The motorcycle culture and especially racing is absolutely enormous in Thailand, and Dale’s stories about the country and its sights make the place sound very appealing indeed.  

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In the first segment this week, Nic de Sena rides the new 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. This is the 636cc four-cylinder supersport screamer that has proven so popular for the last couple of decades. Nic rides the Ninja at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington and reminds us of why supersport machines are so much fun to ride.

In our second segment Teejay Adams chats with Associate Editor Freeman Wood, who rode to Sturgis and back with one of his buddies. Riding an Indian Springfield Dark Horse, Freeman makes it sound like it was an interesting—and sometimes arduous—trip from Southern California, but ultimately a good time was had by all.

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The Suzuki SV650 has been around for several decades now, and is largely unchanged. Yet the middleweight Suzuki continues to be incredibly popular. Associate Editor Kelly Callan tells us why she continues to rate it as one of her favorite bikes.

Our second segment features another of my really good friends, Joel Larson. Joel has been a hardcore motorcycle rider for most of his life and has owned everything from Suzuki Gixxers to several Ducati Multistradas. Joel’s extraordinary life started in earnest as a teenage drummer, when he founded the iconic 60s band “the Grass Roots”. They sold some 36 Million records during its heyday. Along his 30 year touring career it can be said that Joel fully embraced the rock n’ roll lifestyle, and even these tales told here hint at the sheer joy of living large. One of the nicest people I’ve ever known, Joel’s effervescent, positive appreciation of life is definitely catching.

WARNING: As you might imagine, this segment contains adult themed content and is NOT suitable for children or those of a sensitive nature. Please exercise discretion.

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This week, Associate Editor Kelly Callan rides the new Honda SCL500. This neo-scrambler is essentially a freshly styled model using Honda’s tried n’ true 471cc parallel twin motor. This is inexpensive motorcycling on a cool-looking bike, and Kelly tells us whether the scrambler is actually worthy of the Honda brand name.

In our second segment, Arthur gets to chat with one of his buddies—“Fast” Frankie Garcia. Riding for the highly professional Saddlemen Bagger racing team, Frankie got his first motorcycle—literally—since before he could walk.  Now he’s racing in the sensational Moto America, Mission King of the Baggers series, and in the first race he finished on the podium. Frankie’s story with its ups and downs, tells the story of what it’s like to try and earn a living from motorcycle racing. If you’re curious as to what it takes to get a racing Bagger on to the grid, what helps make them so fast, and what it’s like to actually ride one, then you’re going to enjoy hearing what Frankie has to say.

Instagram: @frankiegarcia24 

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Nic de Sena recently spent the day near Boise, Idaho riding the all new Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+. The Tracer has made a name for itself in the last few years as a typically sporting Yamaha—with a really good touring side to it as well. With the addition of a host of new additions to the model, Nic gives us his thoughts on the new Tracer, and where the model fits in the market.   

Our second feature segment is about the Royal Enfield sponsored Build. Train. Race. program for 12 lady racers. Teejay Adams and myself, Arthur Coldwells join the program at the Brainerd, Minnesota round of the Moto America racing series, where we chat with several of the players involved in this uniquely fascinating program. The individual stories of these ladies is all about the challenges they face and the grit they need to bring out the best in themselves. There can only be one winner on track, but off-track every one of these ladies seems to be a winner in her own right.

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!  

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This week, Editor Don Williams brings you the all-new Harley-Davidson Breakout. This uber-cool and fearsomely powerful motorcycle is not just a head-turner in the looks department. Don explores what he loves about the bike and points out its possible shortcoming as well.    

In our second segment, Teejay Adams chats with MotoGP commentator and technical guru, Simon Crafar. Many of you know that he was a successful top-level racer and an ex-Ohlins suspension tech, but it’s less likely you know that he and his wife are also passionate dog lovers and rescuers too. Simon realized that many of his colleagues in the Paddock shared their desire. So they started Riders For Dogs—a non profit organisation that raises money to support dog rescue charities and they have had a hugely positive reaction from both the MotoGP Paddock as well as all you motorcyclists around the world. Check out their social media to see auctions of awesome rider gear, or of course you can just donate to this incredibly worthy  cause. The big news is that an incredibly generous German couple recently donated a spectacular Honda RC45 in Castrol colors, similar to the one that Simon raced in the ‘90s. After Simon has finished with some necessary TLC, the bike will be auctioned and every penny raised will go to Riders For Dogs.  

As well as his charity work for dogs, Simon also gives us some opinions and insight into some of the current MotoGP happenings.

Please check out Riders For Dogs on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093614162628

https://www.instagram.com/ridersfordogs/

https://twitter.com/RidersForDogs

eMail: kirsten@motovudu.com 

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Nic de Sena recently spent the day in Malibu with the 2023 MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America. This is the limited edition model with the lovely red white and blue livery. Nic takes us through his thoughts on the Dragster’s specs and ride, and also includes his thoughts on how the proprietary SCS automatic clutch works and fits into the Dragster persona.   

John Ulrich and his son Chris started the Roadracing World Action Fund non-profit in 2001, with the goal of buying air-fence rider protection for use around American racetracks. They have been spectacularly successful. One of their main ways to raise money is by having ex-Superbike Pro racer Chris, take guests on fun, two-up rides around the track at each round of the Moto America series in exchange for a donation—he’s raised over $60,000 so far. Teejay Adams got to experience this thrill ride of a lifetime at Brainerd Raceway, and she gives us her impressions of what it’s like to cling on for dear life at 160 miles per hour. Spoiler alert: She absolutely loved it. You can check out her on-board video on our YouTube Channel.

Donate to RWAF and check out the impressive list of Contributors.  

Check out RoadRacing World and Motorcycle Technology magazine.  

In our second feature segment, Cat McLeod of Leod Escapes comes back to chat with Teejay about traveling in Europe including some handy gear and packing tips. The always-lively and very entertaining Cat gives us the dos and don’ts of how to  travel and hopefully avoid making a fool of yourself when you’re embedded in a foreign-language (to us!) country.

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!  

1. 1. 1. Police Gear
      2. Jupiter 4 Gortex  Half Boots
      3. Rolo Bag
      4. Exofficio Give & Go Underwear
      5. Collapsable Duffel Bags

AirTags

1. 1. Passort Airtag Holder
   2. Airtag Peel and Stick for inside your luggage

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Associate Editor Will Embree recently went to the world launch in Italy of the GasGas range of Motocross and Enduro off-road machines. The model variation is very extensive, and American buyers have a choice between several four-strokes as well as two-strokes to choose from. Will explains the differences between all of them and for those of you undecided where GasGas fits into the market with its sibling brands, and which GasGas model might interest you, he will help you make up your mind.

This week’s snippet is brought to you from the Saddlemen racing pit at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota. Teejay Adams caught up with Lady Racer Patricia Fernandez [@lady_racer926] who tells us a little bit about the Saddlemen racing program in the Moto America King of the Baggers series, and why Saddlemen products are of real world benefit to her. 

In our second feature segment, Neale Bayly once again catches up with world-traveler Allen Karl who continues to talk about his journey around the globe on his BMW F 650 GS Dakar.   

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Harley-Davidson has just announced the latest CVO versions of its Street- and RoadGlide models. To say there have been major changes to these classic machines would be an understatement. Nic de Sena recently rode both motorcycles in Milwaukee and he gives us a run down on what has changed with each one, and his thoughts on whether you need to find around 45 grand to put one of these puppies in your garage.

This week’s snippet features the Alpinestars Tech Air 5 vest. Teejay Adams bumped into Aryan Fakoor at Southern California’s Rock Store who spent his own hard-earned money on the cutting edge technology of this safety under-garment.

In our second feature segment, Teejay Adams talks with Steve Piehl. Steve has had a long and interesting career marketing in the motorcycle industry, and currently works for the Tucker range of brands. 

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!  

MV Agusta is one of the truly storied names in motorcycling, and the heritage of the Italian brand is evident in every one of its spectacular machines. Recently I had the opportunity to ride the Brutale 1000RR in Italy, and I was able to chat with Teejay Adams about the machine. As it happens, she is the owner of an MV Agusta herself. Her ride is a 2019 Brutale 800 RC. That’s the Limited Edition super-sporting version of the Brutale 800 that comes with an SC Project full titanium pipe and separate ECU. These incredible machines are billed by MV Agusta as ‘Motorcycle Art”. Teejay and I pass our thoughts on and whether we agree with that sentiment.   

00h:17m:07s

Associate Editor Neil Wyenn brings us our Snippet this week. Lately he’s been trying out the Sena Impulse modular helmet with the built-in comms system, and he gives us his thoughts on that.  

00h:27m:15s 

In our second feature segment, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with legendary moto-journalist Mat Oxley. Mat’s incredible MotoGP reporting resume is made even more credible by own seriously accomplished racing pedigree. He’s won at the Club and Endurance levels, and he’s competed and won at the Isle of Man TT as well. During his long journalism career, he’s got to know the legends incredibly well. Guys like Mick Doohan, Kenny Roberts, Valentino Rossi, and even older riders like Gary Nixon, have all been written about by Mat. So if you’re interested in what it’s like to be a moto-journalist and a career MotoGP guy, the Mat will fill in the blanks. For those of you with a sensitive disposition, I should warn you that there’s some salty language in this chat.    

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!  

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The much hyped Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR is a small bike that is claimed to punch well above its weight. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode the punchy little Ninja around Thunderhill and gives us his impressions of whether this new lightweight will gain any traction in the market.

00h:40m:40s

Associate Editor Jonathan Handler brings us our Snippet this week, and he talks about his new BMW Motorrad denim jacket. This jacket is listed at an eye-watering $559, so I was curious to hear Jonathan’s take on the jacket’s quality and design.    

00h:47m:39s

In our second feature segment, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with Wes Robinson. Wes has spent a lifetime buying, riding, restoring, and racing mainly American V-Twin motorcycles. His career includes time spent as an AMA racing Tech.  

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!  

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Teejay Adams is not very experienced when it comes to riding off-road, so she was the perfect rider to go try out the new entry-level Honda XR150L, and indeed, she rode it both on the street and in the dirt as well. I was curious as to what she would think, as on the face of it, this incredibly inexpensive machine is very attractive, but let’s be honest here, is it a real motorcycle, or is it just too underpowered and lightweight to be of use in the real world?   

20m:27s

Our Snippet this week comes to you from Alpinestars. The iconic Italian apparel manufacturer has an impressively large range of product, and as great as that is, it also may make it difficult to pick out what you might want.  Recently I wore some A’Stars streetbike gear that impressed me, and Teejay sampled some of the Alpinestars off-road range of items that she liked.

31m:42s

In our second segment, Teejay Adams chats with Somer Hooker, he’s an expert in the world of vintage motorcycles and the chief judge at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering, and many others including the Salon Prive at Blenheim Palace, in the UK. He is the author of many articles which have been published in classic motorcycle magazines, and he has worked in residential therapeutic programs for children and youth, as well as helped establish the first residential program for autistic children in Tennessee.

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!  

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On paper, the BMW M 1000 R is an absolutely spectacular machine. It’s the upright naked superbike version of the S 1000 R, with the motor from the track-focused S 1000 RR in a comfortable to ride package. In our first segment this week, Nic de Sena takes the M 1000 R on to the street and to the track, and he reports back on what all the fuss is about.   

00:39:34. Our snippet this week comes to you from the MV Agusta factory is Varese, Italy. As you may or may not know, KTM’s parent company—The Pierer Mobility Group—late last year acquired a significant stake in the fabled Italian racing brand that produces arguably the most beautiful motorcycles in the world. I spoke to three of the key players (Timur Sardarov, CEO; Luca Martin, COO; and Florian Kecht, CSO for KTM) in that partnership. I managed to get their take on exactly what PMG will bring to MV Agusta, how likely the company is to survive, and whether this is real—or just smoke and mirrors.

01:06:27. Our second segment, brings you Part 2 of Neale Bayly’s fascinating chat with iconic racer and 5-time Daytona 200 Winner, Scott ‘Mr Daytona’ Russell. The native Georgian of course needs no introduction, but in case you missed it, you can hear Part 1 of his interview ‘Scott Russell Unfiltered’ here. Neale and Scott have been friends for many years, and Scott opens up about the challenges he’s faced; the ups and downs of life after racing—after that unfortunate and horrendous crash at Daytona that ended his career. We’re happy to say that Scott is thriving now.    

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!  

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Our featured motorcycle this week is one of the lesser known ADV bikes—the Aprilia 660 Tuareg. This good looking middleweight machine seems as though it is often overlooked, so Nic de Sena took a Tuareg 660 to the recent Alpinestars Rally in Big Bear, California. He rode it hard across a variety of trails for two days, and tells us why he thinks this bike might deserve a place in your garage.

Our Snippet this week comes to you from Bhroman. You can check out his YouTube channel at Bhroman Braapsody. He lives in North Carolina and his moto passion takes him on a yearly cross-country trip in some manic time. This year he’s doing it on his Indian motorcycle and raising money again for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, also known as Ride for Kids. Last year he raised $12,000, and of course his goal this year is more.

In our second segment, Teejay Adams chats with Ed Stiley of MotoMachines.com. Ed’s Dad approached him about starting a moto-business when Ed was still in college, and kinda on a whim, he said yes. Turns out his Dad knew what he was doing, and Ed is also pretty switched on himself. Motomachines.com has thousands of motorcycle product SKUs and caters to over 700 models of motorcycles, so Ed knows what he’s talking about when it comes to aftermarket parts!

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode!   

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Editor Don Williams is a dirt-bike nut. He rode competitive Trials for over 30 years, and he and his wife ride every weekend—and sometimes more—on every type of off-road machine they can lay their hands on. Interestingly, he’s never had the chance to ride a Grand National Cross Country off-road race course, but recently he finally had the chance to do so. As a guest of KTM, Don was able to sample the range of KTM Cross Country XC models, and in this first segment he tells us about the differences he found, as well as the thrill of riding a full GNCC course for the first time.      

In our second segment, Teejay Adams chats with a couple of adventure-seeking Aussies. Stu and Janell and their three dogs, have been riding all over the world for the last ten years—and visited 108 countries—aboard their two BMW 650 GS adventure motorcycles. Calling themselves “The Pack Track” their adventures are chronicled on their blog. Teejay gets the lowdown on some of their experiences—good and bad—and the challenge of crossing borders with canines along for the ride. Actually, they will be touring the USA from June to October this year, starting in Sacramento, California, before making their way across to the North East part of the US, and then finishing back in Dallas, Texas where they first started. On the tour they will be giving free presentations at a number of motorcycle dealerships, so check out their schedule and hopefully get along to meet them in person.   

So, from everyone here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

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This week we decided to change it up a little and we’re bringing you three segments in this episode.

In our first segment, I chat with Associate Editor Jonathan Handler, freshly returned from a trip to Germany to ride the interesting new BMW R 18 Roctane. This all out cruiser features the impressive BMW R 18 motor which has had a slightly mixed reaction in its other iterations. I have to say, in this particular model, the big boxer twin seems like the perfect fit for someone who wants a seriously powerful cruiser that’s a little different from everything else out there. Let’s see if Jonathan agrees with me!

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Ritzo Muntinga of SPC Power Clutch. Ritzo introduces the sintered aluminum indestructible clutch. The company now has a patent on these clutch plates and frankly they sound like a game-changing idea. If you’re a seriously heavy clutch user, especially in sport such as off-road, Motocross, and so on, or perhaps you’re a drag racer or stunt guy, then you’re going to be really interested in what Ritzo has to say.

In our third segment, Teejay chats with Angie Sandow. Angie plays guitar in her AC/DC cover band, she’s an author, motivational speaker, and of course a motorcycle rider. Interestingly, she’s also partially handicapped—she only has one hand. To hear how she overcomes life’s challenges—and still gets to play guitar and ride her motorcycle—are amazing. Her bubbly personality and sheer strength of will come across are inspiration indeed.       

So, from all of us here at Motos and Friends—we hope you enjoy this episode!

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In our first segment, Editor Don Williams rides the new Suzuki GSX-8S. This highly anticipated upright-naked sportbike features the all-new parallel twin from the big S, and we have been very excited to try it out. Don really liked the motor in Suzuki’s new V-Strom, so it’ll be interesting to see if it is perhaps even better suited to a street bike. The big question of course, is who exactly is the target rider for the 8S?

Speaking of sportbikes, the Isle of Man TT is arguably the most fearsome, intense—as well as the longest—motorcycle race in the world. The Superbike races are around 225 Miles and 1200 corners, including 2 full pit stops! It takes a very special level of skill, courage, and yes, a large dollop of insanity too, to ride in, let alone win, a TT race.

The TT is always the first week in June, so it's on right now—see the links below. Just in time for this year’s event, I chat with my Aussie friend, Rennie Scaysbrook. Rennie is the Road Test Editor for Cycle News magazine here in the US. As a fellow journalist, he and I have tested motorcycles at tracks all over the world; he’s a great guy, a good laugh. He holds the record for the challenging Pikes Peak Hill Climb, so as you might imagine, he’s an especially talented rider too.

Rennie rode the IOM TT last year in the Supersport category and acquitted himself well, despite some technical gremlins. He’s riding again this year for the Craig Wilson team, but this time he’s on a Superstock-class Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR-SP. Now that’s a whole different ballgame!

Rennie’s descriptions of riding the sections around the famed TT course are absolutely electrifying. Do you think you’ve got the mental fortitude, concentration, and level of skill that it takes to thread the TT needle on country roads through tiny villages at 195 miles per hour? Rennie’s take on riding the TT will likely answer that for you.

This chat is a doozy—so hold on to your hat for this one.

• Rennie Scaysbrook: 2022 Isle Of Man Video Diary
• Do you know a kid that might want to read Rennie’s books?
  • The Big Book of Motorbikes + Coloring Book
• Check out the TT Races official website
  • Videopass $29.99
• No Room For Error documentary | Official Trailer 2 | TT Races
• CycleNews.com

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Speaking of heritage, have you seen the Yamaha Sport Heritage range of classically styled, performance motorcycles? I’ve been riding the gorgeous-looking Yamaha XSR900 and its great looks are more than backed up by its incredible performance. Visit YamahaMotorsports.com to find out more about the exciting Heritage line, or check it out for yourself at your local dealer today.

Our featured motorcycle this week is Harley’s new addition to its Icons Collection: The 2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King. This new machine is a beautifully styled tribute to the 1968 Electra Glide FLH, but of course now with modern motor, chassis, suspension and so on. Don Williams rode the machine to er… Williams in Arizona and reports back on his adventure and what he thought of the bike.

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Kelly Knievel. He’s the son of 70s stunt-riding icon, Evel Knievel, and brother to the late Robbie Knievel. Kelly is a producer, actor, and the head of K&K Promotions, which owns the rights to Evel Knievel’s name.

Evel Knievel of course, needs no introduction. He was the literally the ultimate showman. His many stunts included jumps over cars, buses, as well as attempts at the fountains at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, and at the Snake River Canyon in Idaho. Having grown up in this legendary family, Kelly’s memories of both his father and his brother are fascinating to hear.    

The Evel Knievel Museum is in Topeka, KS

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In our first segment, Senior Editor Nic de Sena rides the new Ducati Monster SP. This is the super-duper very tricked out version of the new Monster—it has all the cool stuff including full Öhlins suspension. It’s a pricey moto for sure and that almost puts it into its own class in the upper-middleweight range.

In our second segment, I chat with film Writer, Producer and Director, Mark Neale. Mark is the guy who wrote and directed the series of movies covering MotoGP from the early 2000s on. The series started with the iconic documentary, ‘Faster’, and ended with ‘Hitting The Apex’ in 2015. Brad Pitt narrated that one, and indeed, he had a vital hand in getting it finished.

[View Official Trailer YouTube]

Interestingly, the movie is still relevant now, some 8 years later, and Mark’s stories of how the movie came to be, and his interactions with the people and riders involved make for some entertaining listening.    

So, from all of us here at Motos and Friends—we hope you enjoy this episode!

If you want to find out more about luxury motorcycle tours around Italy check out MotoCalifornia.com

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

In our first segment, Editor Don Williams checks out the new Honda Rebel 1100T with the DCT gearbox. This is a different kind of cruiser; it certainly has some sportiness to it, and with a nod to touring with small bags and a fairing, it’s easily capable of day-long rides too.

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams talks to A-list Hollywood stuntman, Joe Bucaro. Joe has spent nearly 40 years riding and crashing motorcycles; drifting and crashing cars, and stage-fighting as the stunt double for many of your favorite action stars. Joe has doubled extensively for Gerard Butler in most of his movies; Jason Momoa in the upcoming ‘Fast and Furious 10’; and also for stars such as Chris Pratt, Vince Vaughan, Steven Seagal and countless others. In Butler’s latest movie ‘The Plane’ Joe tells us about a two-and-a-half minute fight sequence that they managed to shoot in just one, complete take.

Joe’s fearlessness and incredible talents on a motorcycle, in a car, on a horse, and of course his fighting skills, have kept him kinda safe over the years, and still doing what he loves. This chat is a fascinating and entertaining peek behind the curtain into Hollywood and the fun of making movies.

So, from all of us here at Motos and Friends—we hope you enjoy this episode!

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

In our first segment, Editor Don Williams takes to the urban streets on Royal Enfield’s new Hunter 350. This is not an ADV bike as the name might imply, it’s targeted at the city rider and powered by the company’s single-cylinder 350 motor that also powers a couple of other models too. Don gives us his impressions on whether the Hunter’s modest price is reflected in the quality of this new bike.  

In our second segment, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with Drew Alexander. Drew has spent his career as parts manager for both Bob’s BMW and Battley’s BMW dealerships in Maryland, and indeed he’s now returned to Bob’s famous dealership. But Drew is a lot more than that. He’s President of his local BMW club; on the board of the national BMW Riders Association, and he's hosting the upcoming rally in West Virginia in September.

So, from all of us here at Motos and Friends—we hope you enjoy this episode!

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

Whether you follow the Mission Foods King of the Baggers Moto America race series, you have to admit that the performance extracted from the Indian and Harley-Davidson heavyweight machines is astounding. Nic de Sena recently had the opportunity to chat with the race team and ride the Indian Challenger campaigned by Tyler O’Hara and Jeremy McWilliams. The bike is clearly not for the faint of heart!  

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams has a fascinating chat with Paul d’Orleans, also known as “The Vintagent”. Started by Paul back in 2006, the website quickly became incredibly popular for those with an interest in older two-wheeled motorcycles. A world-renowned authority on vintage machines, Paul is a judge at many classic events and shows, including the Quail Motorcycle Gathering.

So, from all of us here at Motos and Friends—we hope you enjoy this episode!

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

The Vintagent Facebook

The Vintagent Instagram 

The Vintagent Website 

Mean Marshall's Motorcycles

In the first segment this week, Editor Don Williams brings you his impressions on the Kawasaki Ninja 650. The middleweight Ninja is a nice machine with a peppy motor; it’s super-easy to handle. The new Ninja now comes with Traction Control as well as ABS, making this bike even more suited to novice riders.

In the second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Michael Battaglia. Michael owned a Ducati dealership in Arizona until he sold it just before the pandemic hit. He now works for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Ride for Kids, the longest running national motorcycle charity program, with many events across the country. For over 30 years, the motorcycling community has helped families facing the deadliest childhood disease.”

Learn more about Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation…curethekids.org Donate or Get involved and Ride for Kids For more info on upcoming events and to get involved email:

Michael Battaglia Facebook.com/rideforkids Instagram: @rideforkids

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

This week on Motos & Friends we have something slightly different. Among the questions we get from you, our listeners, is whether rider schools are worth the money and effort, and do we have one we can recommend?

Well, the answer to both is a resounding “yes”. So, in response to popular demand, we decided this week to chat with Associate Editor Teejay Adams about her recent experience at the Yamaha Champions Riding School. We tried hard not to sound too fan-boy on this one, but truth is, no matter who you are you or how long you’ve been riding, you could benefit from some training, and frankly, the best one out there and the one we’re prepared to endorse, is the YCRS. We’re even prepared to incentivize a few of you. Please check the notes at the foot of this page and see how we could add an extra cashback reward if you’re booking a class, and this is in addition to the 10% discount you will get if you use our sign up code. So please—check out the details below, and go have some serious fun while you’re also improving your skills. You will be a safer, more complete rider if you do.  

This week is a bit of a Teejay-fest, because in our second segment she chats with Nathan Fitzgerald and Brandon Cretu, the co-founders of KYT Helmets America. Brandon is also the exclusive importer of Ohvale in the United States, and he was instrumental in developing the MotoAmerica Mini Cup and is passionate about trying to help young people get into racing. Brandon’s personal racing résumé includes multiple appearances at the Isle of Man TT, the Macau GP, the Northwest 200, Ulster GP, as well as endurance racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours. Presumably he knows what it takes to fire up a racing career.

As you might imagine, both Nathan and Brandon are hard-core racing fans and were happy to chat with Teejay about the ups and downs of American and global racing, and where they see it going. She did her best to keep them under control. Hold on to your (KYT) helmets!

Ultimate Motorcycling/YCRS Discount+ Reward Program

1. For the UM 10% discount on all YCRS programs use code UltimateMC10 2. The first 20 students only who book the Champ U New Rider online course will receive a $20 cashback reward. Email producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com with your booking confirmation code and your preferred method for us to send you your reward. 3. The first 3 students only who book the 2-day Champ School course will receive a $200 cashback reward. Email producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com with your booking confirmation code and your preferred method for us to send you your reward. 

Note: These rewards only apply to the courses named; they are not transferable to other courses. Offers only available to residents of the United States. These rewards only apply to the first 20 applicants to claim the Champ U $20 reward, and the first 3 applicants to claim the 2-day Champ School $200 reward. Once these rewards are claimed there will be no more. Please claim by email to producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com and include your booking code as proof of purchase. Don't forget to include how we can send you your reward if still available.

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You must be familiar with the iconic Suzuki Hayabusa, one of the most exciting sportbikes ever made. For 2023, the Hayabusa is even faster, and the most technologically advanced version ever. Visit suzukicycles.com to learn more, or of course get down to your local Suzuki dealer and check it out in person. Pictures do NOT do it justice!

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Joe Begelfer. Joe was born in the Ukraine back when it was part of the old USSR, and he came to the US with his parents as a small child. Joe’s passion is for vintage and classic BMW boxer-twin motorcycles, and his collection includes some rare birds indeed. Joe is a real rider, and every one of the bikes in his collection is a real rider too. Joe’s prodigious knowledge and infectious enthusiasm about these quirky, older machines is fun to listen to. So from all of us here at Motos and Friends—we hope you enjoy this episode!

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

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We’re all familiar with the Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. However, the latest 2023 version is now faster, and easily the most technologically advanced Hayabusa ever. Check it out at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more—you won’t be disappointed!

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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Ashley Lusky, co-founder of Kickstands Up, the one place where riders of every style can connect to all the motorcycle rides, races, meetups and rallies in their area. Ashley is a long-time off-road rider, yet she still doesn’t consider herself an expert. She recently returned from a serious ADV trip to Baja, California, and she and Teejay chat about the challenges for young women learning to ride off-road.

So from all of us here at Motos and Friends—we hope you enjoy this episode!

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button...

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Have you looked at the 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa yet? One of the most iconic sportbikes ever, it’s faster and the most technologically advanced Hayabusa ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Steve Sims. He’s a well known motivational speaker, coach, and author of 'Go for Stupid;  The Art of Achieving Ridiculous Goals'. Steve is best known as the ‘sky’s the limit’ fixer who provided elite concierge services to some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential people. That heady list includes John Travolta, Elon Musk, Steven Tyler, Ricard Branson, and many, many others. He laughingly describes those 25 years as “spending billionaires’ money to give them more interesting cocktail hour stories”. He’s a serious motorcycle rider who has a fascinating set of stories to tell. So sit back, and prepare to be entertained!

For more info on Steve: SteveDSims.com  

Instagram & YouTube: @stevedsims

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Interested in reaching our enthusiastic listeners? To become a sponsor or advertise with Motos & Friends please email us at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

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Have you looked at the 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa yet? One of the most iconic sportbikes ever, it’s faster and the most technologically advanced Hayabusa ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Patrick ‘Buzz’ Hayes. He’s a life long motorcycle rider and powersports photographer, and he is now involved in the raising of funds and the production of an upcoming documentary movie about Lilly Farrow—the founder of A.D. Farrow, America’s oldest Harley-Davidson dealer.  ‘Iron Lilly’ will bring the incredible story of Lilly to the big screen, highlighting the trials, tribulations, and ultimate amazing success of a lady who overcame such obstacles to take care of her family.

If you’re interested in investing in the movie, check it out at WeFunder

So from all of us at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode of Motos and Friends!

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

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Have you looked at the 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa yet? One of the most iconic sportbikes ever, it’s faster and the most technologically advanced Hayabusa ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

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Cat MacLeod, owner of Leod Escapes, gets to chat with Associate Editor Teejay Adams in our second segment. If you Google ‘hedonism’, it doesn’t actually mention Leod Escapes, but judging by Cat’s description of some of his magical MotoGP track-riding tours and associated antics, Google really should include it. Can you think of any better way to spend two weeks than three days of riding a legendary MotoGP circuit, while being coached by World Superbike legend Troy Corser—and then getting to tour the local spectacular area, all the while, staying in upscale hotels and eating the best food?

Cat is a great story-teller and he doesn’t hold back. Fair warning: you probably should not have kids under 13 listening to this segment, so please be aware of that.

As motorcycle people we’re often accused of being ‘crazy’. I say: fair enough, we probably are. So have a listen to Cat Macleod, and go book yourself the trip of a lifetime. And no, we don’t get paid anything to say that.   

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

Leod Escapes Italian Dream to Mugello Track & Tour

Have you looked at the 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa yet? One of the most iconic sportbikes ever, it’s faster and the most technologically advanced Hayabusa ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

In our second segment Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Mark ‘The Biker’ Sloper—aka Mark Illuminati. This laughingly self-described ‘bionic neon sign-maker’ who keeps accidentally electrocuting himself, is a successful artist recently named as art ambassador for the cabinet office, Great Britain. His punk-inspired pieces are held by both the late Queen Elizabeth and now US President Joe Biden.

For us motorcycle peeps, ‘Biker Mark’ is possibly better known as a motorcycle documentary movie Director and Producer. Projects such as ‘I, Superbiker’ and ‘Speed is my Need’ are now include a new movie: NW200 The Real Road Race. This one follows American force-of-nature ‘Lady Racer’, Patrica Fernandez, as she attempts the bone-chilling Irish road race—the North West 200. These movies are all available on Netflix; check your local region for availability.

Self-styled “I’m just a hooligan”, Biker Mark’s creative energy and zest for living dangerously, comes across with each new revelation.  

So, from everyone here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

Check out NW200—The Real Road Race trailer here.

Instagram: @mark_illuminati

Book Review:  “Feel” by ‘Fast’ Freddie Spencer

If you’d like to be entered to win a signed copy of ‘Feel’ leave us a review of this Podcast in the comment section and send an email to: producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

I’m not sure if it’s his first love on two wheels, but it is safe to say that Editor Don Williams is a dirt-bike nut. He rode competitive Trials for over 30 years, and he and his wife ride every weekend—and sometimes more on every type of off-road machine they can lay their hands on. He now tells us of his recent experiences on the Kawasaki KX250X—a cross country dirt bike that seems to work well.     

The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

In our second segment, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with Allan Karl, author of the book “Forks—A Quest for Culture, Cuisine, and Connection”.  Allan went on a 3 year-long ride around the world, across 5 Continents and 35 Countries. Actually, that number is now up to 83 Countries. In this first part of the story, Neale and Allan chat about his motivations, and a few of the adventures—and mis-adventures—on his epic journey.

So, from everyone here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

Buy Allan's book on Amazon here

The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

In our second segment, Teejay chats with Cait Maher, a contributing journalist at motorcycle.com and owner of a Yamaha TW200. The two ladies met at the recent launch of Kawasaki’s dual sport KLX230s. Teejay is a total novice off-road. Cait however, although quite experienced in the dirt including her recent venture on the District 37 Barstow to Las Vegas dual-sport ride, still doesn’t consider herself an expert. Both of these girls have a positive, upbeat attitude, and their fun, energetic outlook shines through. Cait is definitely a give-it-a-go type of personality. Her take on the various challenges, experiences and adventures that she’s had make for fun listening.

For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE

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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.

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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.

Thom’s  fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as 'Deadliest Catch' (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie. 

You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.

2023 Arch 1s Review: The $128,000 Question

Our first segment features the new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. Senior Editor Nic de Sena brings us his report on the flagship version of Aprilia’s upright middleweight machine. He gives us insight into whether it’s worth spending the extra money on the Factory version, and also of course, whether this sporting Aprilia is really the motorcycle for you.

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The next guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

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In this segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with (arguably) one of the most interesting Suzuki race riders of all time. the iconic RG500 alongside teammate double World Champion Barry Sheene. The two were almost as famous for their exploits off-track, as for their success on it. Those were the days! Steve also raced the Isle of Man TT for about ten years where he won 13 Silver Replicas, and got a podium finish. His insight into that particular brand of mayhem are fascinating.

But there’s waaay more to Steve Parrish than his motorcycle racing. He is also the most successful Semi-Truck racer ever, and, little known piece of useless trivia—he’s my birthday twin: 24th February. He is a natural entertainer and you can’t miss his recounting of the world’s most entertaining—and arguably terrifying—double-decker bus ride ever. If any of you were actually on that hell-ride then we’d love to hear from you!  

From everyone here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

Steve’s book ‘The Parrish Times’ on Amazon

Instagram @SteveStavrosParrish

http://www.steveparrishracing.com/

https://movolytics.com/

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa. Head into your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

The new 120th Anniversary Harleys have been announced today, and in this week’s first segment Editor Don Williams takes us through the exciting updates to four models. The hero is probably the latest RoadGlide CVO with its spectacular 120th livery and badging.  

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with celebrated artist and philanthropist, Andrew Hewkin.

Andrew chats about his life of unusual coincidences which have taken him on an unexpected and entertaining journey. Traveling through more than one hundred countries, Andrew captured the flavor and essence of the world. He takes us through a few of his hair-raising stories of travel and intrigue that he has expressed visually through over fifty years of his art.

He is a regular contributor to Childline Rocks in his capacity as Cultural Attaché for the Sons of Royalty annual motorcycle ride, and paintings of Cuba, Marrakech, Mexico, and most recently Kerala in Southern India, have been auctioned off for the charity. His work has also contributed to ‘The Princes Trust’, ‘Heart on my Sleeve’, ‘Fight for Sight’, ‘Cancer Trusts’ and many others.

Andrew is a supremely talented, kind, and fascinating man.

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!

Andrew’s biography “Before the Paint Dries…” is available on his website AndrewHewkin.com

Facebook Andrew Hewkin

Instagram @andrew_hewkin

In this week’s first segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams and I discuss the new Yamaha XSR700.  That’s the retro-styled version of the MT-07 that comes in any color you like—as long as it’s black. Actually, it looks really good with the gold accents on the gas tank and the matching gold wheels. Teejay tells us whether there’s a decent bike lurking under all that flash.

In our second segment, I chat with Steve Rapp. An ex-factory Suzuki and Ducati rider in the Moto America race series, Steve, among many other accomplishments won the prestigious Daytona 200. He also competed with real credibility in a couple of MotoGP races for Richard Stanboli of Attack Performance.

After retiring from professional road racing Steve became a commercial pilot, flying A320s out of LAX for Alaska Airlines. I suspect he’s the only Airline Captain that’s also an ex-professional motorcycle racer. Steve’s calm, matter-of-fact delivery when talking about his high-speed escapades was interesting to say the least. Very impressive guy indeed.

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

Steve Rapp at Iconic Motorbike Auctions taking delivery of his classic Honda VFR1000R 

image courtesy Iconic Motorbike Auctions

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa. This legendary Sportbike is the quickest, most technologically advanced and aerodynamic Hayabusa ever. Head into your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

In this week’s first segment, Associate Editors Kelly Callan and Teejay Adams discuss the new Kawasaki KLX 230 ... but with a slightly different twist. This dual-sport actually comes in 2 other flavors than just the standard, neat trail bike we’ve seen before. Kelly has ridden the KLX230SM (Supermoto version), while Teejay got her first taste of off-road riding on the KLX230S model—that’s the one with the shorter seat height. There’s not much to dislike on these bikes, but the ladies discovered there are some differences that might intrigue you.  

In our second segment, Teejay chats with a good friend—Gary Pattee. This multi-talented father of five, worked as a top-level orthopedic surgeon for around 30 years until he stepped away recently. But there’s waaaay more to him than “just” that.  As if that wasn’t enough, Gary is an artist, a motorcycle aficionado who coaches at the Reg Pridmore Riding School, he's a magician, and even a drummer.

Teejay’s chat with him covers a whole spectrum. It’s a fascinating insight into a truly accomplished man who has seemingly endless drive to excel at everything he turns his hand to. He’s one of the good guys who manages to be modest and fun to be around too. Impressive stuff. 

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling and Motos & Friends, we hope you enjoy this episode.

In this week’s first segment, Associate Editor Kelly Callan tells about her take on BMW’s upper middleweight ADV-style bike, the BMW F 900 XR with Premium package. The smaller, much less expensive sibling to the awesome 1000 XR could easily be overlooked on the showroom floor, so Kelly gives us her take on whether it would be worth your time, if you’re in the market for this type of moto. 

In the second segment I chat with Ricki Marenghi.  He’s the service manager at Wheels in Motion, a dealership in Chatsworth California. Of course he’s crazy busy, but he still manages to ride his various motorcycles 24/7, on the street, the track and off-road too. Ricki’s an absolute hoot to talk to. He’s an energetic young guy with a truly positive vibe, and a magic sense of humor, so we had a good time and laughed a lot. I’m sure you’ll enjoy hearing his stories.   

So, from all of us here at Motos & Friends… we hope you enjoy this episode!

BMW F 900 XR Kelly Callan Review

The second segment is the premiere of our new series of ‘Owner Reviews’. These are real-world opinions of machines owned by everyman riders. For this first one, I chat with my friend Dale Wagler. Dale is a former Marine and hard-core street- and dirt-bike rider. Dale recently acquired a new BMW 1250 GS Adventure, and he gives us his thoughts on the bike’s positives—and a few negatives too.  

If you’d like to be considered for a future Owner Reviews segment on an episode of Motos & Friends, please email us at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com and tell us briefly about your bike. We’d love to hear from you!  

So, from all of us here at Motos & Friends… we hope you enjoy this episode!

In this week’s first segment, Editor Don Williams rides KTM’s new 1290 Super Adventure R. This hardcore ADV bike is big, powerful, and a true expert-level machine. Interestingly, it has multiple points of adjustment within its highly capable electronics package, and Don discovered several big surprises where the bike changed personality completely. His is an intriguing look at one of the most capable off road ADV bikes on the market today.  

In the second segment, I chat with Richard Hatfield, CEO of Lightning motorcycles. This silicon valley based manufacturer was founded in 2006, and having racked up several notable race victories (including Pikes Peak in 2013 with the late Carlin Dunne on board) Lightning have certainly dominated in racing terms. In another first, Lightning has just announced a new rapid-charging battery technology that may well bring electric motorcycles into becoming real-world, practical transport.

So from all of us here at Motos & Friends… we hope you enjoy this episode!

My name is Arthur Coldwells.

In this week’s first segment, Senior Editor Nic de Sena rides the much anticipated Yamaha MT-10 SP. That’s the model with the Ohlins semi-active suspension. It’s only been available in Europe for the last couple of years, but finally the good news is, that it’s coming to America. The big question is, whether the extra 3k you’re going to have to pony up for the Ohlins is actually worth it, or perhaps there’s just not that much improvement over the stock KYB suspension that has suited the Yamaha MT-10 so well until now?       

In the second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Val Collins. Val grew up on motorcycles and learned to love speed, however her real love is Formula 1 tunnel-boat racing. These are the guys and gals that are strapped into a tiny cockpit and then hurtle down the straights at 120 mile per hour and pull 5G in the corners. We attended the recent season finale in Lake Havasu and watched our friend Mike Quindazzi try to take the win. Val chats with Teejay about her love for two-wheels and tunnel-boats. Yeah, it’s crazy stuff.

From all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode and have a great Thanksgiving Holiday!

Lake Havasu F1 heat race

Buckshot Racing Facebook

Valerie's Art Gallery

This week’s we only have the one segment… But if you’re interested in a tasting of what’s to come in 2023, then you’ll want to listen to Don Williams’ roundup from the very recent EICMA show in Milan, Italy.

Don tells us about new machines coming from some of the major manufacturers, including the Honda XL750 Transalp, the CL500 scambler styled machine, and Honda’s light-touring machine derived from the Honda Rebel 1100—and it comes in the DCT version.

From Suzuki of course we have the main models featuring that all-new parallel 800 motor we talked about last week. News of the all-new V-Strom 800 DE ADV bike, and the naked upright GSX-8S, are eagerly anticipated, especially by our staff here at Ultimate Motorcycling!

Indian have done some interesting things with its lineup of various versions of the awesome FTR 1200, and Royal Enfield have produced a cruiser—the Super Meteor 650—that features its 650 twin motor that powers the Interceptor.

From Italy, Aprilia has gone to extremes with the 660 Extrema—basically a track ready version of the well-acclaimed machine. Yamaha interestingly, has revamped the Niken GT—one of the most interesting motorcycles I’ve ever ridden. 

Lastly, Don tells us about Kawasaki’s newly announced Electric Hybrids Hydrogen fuel cell machines—those are a peek into the near future for sure; love ‘em or hate ‘em, you’d better get used to them as they’re just around the corner.

EICMA is arguably the most important show in the world for motorcycling, so from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy Don’s round-up this episode!

This week’s two show segments highlight two very cool engines. There’s much more to a vehicle than just the engine of course, but for motorcycles, the engine is of course, the heart of the machine.

The first of the two motors is explained by Editor Don Williams, who tells us about a brand new powerplant from Suzuki, just announced at this week’s EICMA show in Milan.

The second motor is the Indian Chief inside an ex-Max Bubeck Indian 101 Scout from 1928. It's entered in next year’s Cannonball Run.

Both of these engines hold some surprises. The Suzuki motor is an exciting departure for the brand.  It's an upper-middleweight parallel twin, set to power several exciting new models from Suzuki.

The Indian Chief motor’s story, is told by new owner and vintage bike enthusiast Mark Leiss. He tells us all about not just this bike, but it’s late owner: land speed record holder and AMA Hall of Famer, the legendary Max Bubeck.

Bubeck held land speed records for several decades, and is considered one of the more important figures in Indian Motorcycle history. Mark has drafted in the Sturgis Hall of Fame builder Micah McClosky to ride the bike in the Cannonball. This is no easy feat for either the rider, or the support crew.  Mark explains the superhuman effort it takes to finish, let alone win, a Cannonball Run.

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!

Vespa is possibly the storied name among scooters. The Italian marque produces premium quality machines that excel in urban environments. And what better urban environment to test a Vespa than in the heart of Italy—Rome? Senior Editor Nic de Sena took himself there—not to splash around in the Trevi fountain as one might assume, but to actually ride the new Vespa 300 GTS in its natural habitat. If you live in Rome, you need a Vespa like the Pope needs a balcony. If you live elsewhere—well you be the judge after you hear what Nic has to say.   

In our second segment, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with Cyndi Sadler, co-owner of track day provider Sportbike Track Time –the biggest provider of track days on the East Coast. Cyndi is a real rider and loves her track days riding her Honda 125 two-stroke GP bike.

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!

Moto Guzzi just launched the new V100 Mandello S and Senior Editor Nic de Sena went to the event in Italy. The hallowed Italian marque has radically redesigned its flagship motor—while managing to keep its iconic v-twin look. There are some big changes though, and not just to the motor; the new Guzzi looks fast and sporting. Nic gives us his thoughts and tells us whether the new Guzzi actually delivers on its considerable promise.

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with artist Karl Hoffman. We recently met Karl at his Art Gallery H in the small, historic town of Tubac, Arizona. Karl’s life journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and of course it has involved motorcycles pretty much all the way.

As a painter and jewelry designer, Karl’s fine art and spectacular jewelry is absolutely spellbinding—as an artist herself, Teejay spent a long time talking to him and admiring the fruit of his considerable talents. His life story was so compelling she decided on the spot that she’d like to share it with you. This is the first part of two.

So from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!

Art Gallery H in Tubac, AZ (video)

Artist Karl Hoffman with Teejay Adams

Moto Guzzi Mandello S

The Kawasaki Z900 is really good motorcycle—personally, I’m a fan. The Z900 with its inline-4 screamer engine and excellent handling rides extremely well, especially on the street. However, it does have a few shortcomings, especially if you have a penchant to take it to a track day occasionally. That’s not to say you couldn’t have fun on it—of course you could. However, Kawasaki has released the SE version of the Z900, and Senior Editor Nic de Sena gives us his view of whether the fairly significant upgrades are worth it or not.    

In our second segment, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with Ducati aficionado and collector Max Nicholson.  Max has owned and ridded many classic Ducatis, among them his very special Hailwood replica MH900E. This was a hand built, limited edition tribute machine designed by the legendary Pierre Terblanche.

In 2002 Playboy magazine cited the MH900E as the “most beautiful motorcycle in the world”. Only 2,000 were built over a two-year period. Max and Neale take time to chat about his various bikes, and some of the interesting additions he’s made to his version of the iconic MH900E .

We hope you enjoy this episode!

For our second segment, I chat with movie writer, Producer, and Director, Mark Neale. Of all the motorcycle documentary-style movies made, Mark’s 2003 racing-epic “Faster” has stood the test of time.

Faster was quickly followed by a sequel, Faster & Faster in 2004, and The Doctor, the Tornado and the Kentucky Kid in 2006. For 2011, Mark premiered Charge, Zero Emissions/Maximum Speed; as well as Fastest.  Finally, in 2015 Mark came out with Hitting The Apex, narrated by Brad Pitt.

Mark’s exceptional story-telling shows the human side of racing, and several of the stories behind the ecstasy of victory—and the agony of defeat. In catching up with Mark we hear his story. How Faster and its sequels came to be, and of course, what Mark is up to now.

Whether you have watched any of these movies or not, I urge you to do so, either for the first time, or once again. Even if you’re not much into motorcycle racing—they’re well worth your time. You can find the whole set on Amazon.

Here's a sample episode of Motor Valley Stories from Mark Neale

So sit back, and hopefully you enjoy this episode! 

Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 is an excellent foray into the middleweight ADV world. Associate Editor Neil Wyenn owns a 2021 model, and has spent the last year adding and improving various aspects of his bike. Some add-ons are more vital others, and he lets us into his secrets for getting the most out of the Yamaha Ténéré. His total enthusiasm for ADV riding and the Yamaha Ténéré in particular were pretty obvious to me—I’m sure you’ll feel the same. Links to all the items he mentions are below.

In our second segment, I chat with Court Rand of Freedom Bike Rental in Ecuador. It was approaching ten years ago that Associate Editor Jess McKinley did their High Andes and Deep Amazon Tour, and ever since reading his story, I’ve always wanted to go myself. Maybe the time is now! Court talks to me about the myriad of options his company offers—not just bike rentals of course, but even side-by-side and jeeps too, on guided and self-guided tours. Court’s telling of Ecuador makes it sound mystical, magical and of course very tempting. Hey—we’ll see you there!  

Facebook: Freedom Bike Rental 

Project Yamaha Ténéré : Let the Fun Begin

Product reviews:

• AltRider Highway pegs
• Atlas throttle lock
• Camel Anti-Bobble-Head
• Camel short kickstand
• Camel one finger clutch
• Kisan  headlight modulator and the tail blazer
• Crampbuster
• Cyclops headlight
• Galfer brake pads
• Giant Loop Panniers
• Giant Loop magnetic click on tank bag and tail mount 
• Happy Trails universal Highway pegs
• Healtech thunder box
• Heli bars risers
• HJC i100 modular helmet
• MSC Moto RM3 steering damper
• Pirelli MT-21 tires
• Seat Concepts comfort seat
• Twalcom Slitta Side instrument mount
• Shinko E-804 and E-805 tires
• SW Motech center stand
• SW Motech Crash Bars
• Touratech windscreen adjuster
• Touratech RallyeForm skid plate
• Touratech Extreme rear shock
• Touratech Defensa hand guards
• Twin Pegs of Norway

Electric mobility is everywhere nowadays. Whether it’s a car, a truck, an assisted bicycle, a scooter, or any number of new innovations, the electric revolution is certainly here.  In this week’s first segment, Nic de Sena took a ride on Zero’s recently announced new Adventure bike—the Zero DSR-X. There’s been a lot of hype about this new arrival on the ADV scene, and of course the questions are many. Nic talks to me about whether Zero actually have a credible, alternative energy ADV bike—or if the machine is just simply an empty promise.    

In our second segment, I chat with Al and Bridget from ‘Throw Your Leg Over’. They took time out to record this episode from somewhere in the middle of Romania, of all places.

These interesting Aussies have traveled—and painstakingly documented—the thousands of miles they’ve covered riding the best roads and sights through Australia, Tasmania, Europe, eastern Europe, and Scandinavia, among other places.

Their guided tour books and videos are all available online as a tremendous resources for all you would-be travelers. A membership to Throw Your Leg Over also helps fund their future travels—and who knows where those might lead them.   

Al and Bridget are truly committed to their passion for travel, and that really comes across. Their fun and zeal for life on two wheels is great to hear.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

My name is Arthur Coldwells.

The new Suzuki V-Strom DE has just been announced, and Avery Innis, Training and Publications Manager from Suzuki Motor USA, is just the expert to explain its nuances to us. The V-Strom has always been a superb, yet inexpensive platform, and the new DE variant gets more serious about ADV riding. I find out from Avery whether the new upgrades are worthwhile; and the place that the new V-Strom has in the current market.   

Our second segment covers a subject that’s a little more serious than usual.

Many veterans and first responders suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, aka PTSD.

Scott Casey—himself a sufferer—decided to try and help his fellow vets, and started a cross-Canada charity ride in 2016 called the ‘Rolling Barrage’. It was—and is—incredibly successful. 

It’s not just a tremendous ride. The Rolling Barrage is a place for like-minded sufferers and their supporters to ride together. They get some serious “wind therapy” whether it’s on just a stop, or a leg of the ride, one day, a weekend, or even the whole ride. Scott opens up with Associate Editor Teejay Adams about his personal history, and how he came to create such a brilliant and worthy real-world event that truly helps. 

The Rolling Barrage is a supportive network of brothers and sisters. To quote Scott Casey:  “this is the family you never knew you had”.

Comments or suggestions? Message producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com 

The Rolling Barrage

Ghostkeepers

DONATE The Rolling Barrage 

It was a Nation exploding into civil war. In 1992, the collapse of the former Yugoslavia triggered an international armed conflict that would last more than 3 years and eventually see nearly 100,000 people killed. Canadians were thrown into what was declared a peacekeeping mission, but it wasn't. They were going well beyond the rules of engagement that were provided by the UN. Told by Scott Casey, Former Canadian Peacekeeper.

The new Kawasaki Z650RS is a retro styled middleweight that uses the company’s awesome mid-size 650 parallel twin motor. The 650RS with its emerald green bodywork and gold wheels is a direct homage to the original KZ650 from the 1970s, and it is one of the prettiest motorcycles available today.  Associate Editor Teejay Adams gives me her impressions of the 650RS having ridden it for a week in South Dakota last month. We were there just after the famous Sturgis rally had finished and enjoyed the incredible local roads and stunning scenery of the Black Hills.

In our second segment, Associate Editor Freeman Wood has just returned from his recent touring vacation from Germany and across the Italian Dolomite mountains, riding the new six-cylinder BMW K1600 GTL.

The Dolomites are arguably one of the most perfect locations in the world to try out one of the very best luxury touring motorcycles available today. Freeman chats with me about the two-up ride with his wife, the places they visited, and of course, how the bike handled the whole thing.  

We hope you ride safe, and enjoy this episode!  

Kawasaki Z650RS Sturgis the After-Party [Riding Uncrowded South Dakota] 

In this week’s episode, firstly Editor Don Williams tells us about his experiences n the new Triumph Speed Twin 900. This retro Triumph ticks all the boxes looks-wise, but with the vertical twin motor putting out very modest horsepower, is it a decent ride—or is it just for posers?  

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Laura Craft. Laura has been riding for about ten years and on a recent visit to California, she and Teejay were able to ride the local mountains around Southern California on their MV Agusta motorcycles. Laura is an excellent rider and I think she really enjoyed herself. For more information on Laura and her friends check out her YouTube channel Mototribe.

So we hope you ride safe, and enjoy this episode!  

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the brilliant Yamaha YZF-R7. The highly competitive supersport R7—that is comfortable too!  …is now available in white for 2022. Check out the gorgeous YZF-R7 at your local Yamaha dealer, or of course at YamahaMotorsports.com. 

In this week’s first segment, Editor Don Williams introduces us to the new 2022 Honda Monkey. The Monkey is a smaller sized motorcycle with tons of retro cool. Honda made some big changes to the motor for this year and Don gives us his ideas on whether the Monkey is a viable motorcycle for adults, or just a kids play bike.   

Neale Bayly is back for the second and final segment of Neale Bayly's travel to Ukraine. He recently returned with his friend and award-winning photographer Kiran Ridley and they share their thoughts and feelings of what they saw while riding their BMW GS motorcycles. 

Not everything is bad of course, and Neale and Kiran saw some uplifting and positive sights. However, some of the extremely harrowing things they did see and now talk about in graphic terms, are potentially very distressing.  So please exercise caution if you think you might be upset.

We can only hope and pray that the violence and suffering of the Ukraine people comes to an end soon.

In this week’s first segment, Senior Editor Nic de Sena gives us his impressions of the new Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT. Suzuki’s new sport-touring machine is clearly a lot more sport than touring, so I’m curious to hear whether Nic thinks the GT without the saddlebags is an improvement over the plus version with bags.

In the second segment we welcome the astonishing artist, Jack Armstrong. His story is as crazy as it gets,  and his zany stories would defy belief if they weren’t true.

Jack made friends with Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat in the new York art and music scene back in the day, and his work has sold for tens of millions of dollars. Yet Jack is also a hard-core motorcycle guy, and part of his journey inspired him to paint the Harley V-Rod—the so-named “Cosmic Starship” worth over 50 million dollars. A motorcycle as an art canvas; interesting idea.

While Armstrong’s art may take you out of your comfort zone, the energy of his work is apparent; they say the more you look at it, the more you become aware of the power behind the strokes and in the laying down of the paint.

The Cosmic Starship will have a different meaning to everyone. If it speaks to you, has made you think, or spurred you to talk about it, then the artist has tapped into your subconscious successfully. Interpret that as you will.

So whether you’re into art or not; whether you’re into the Harley V-Rod or not, Jack’s astonishing energy comes across in his chat. I found him to be a fascinating and very likable man. So sit back, and have some fun with this one.

https://www.themotorcyclebroker.co.uk/the-motorcycle-as-art/

https://www.thelifeofluxury.com/the-mona-lisa-of-motorcycles-50-million-art-trade-deal/ 

https://www.wikiart.org/en/jack-armstrong 

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the awesome Yamaha YZF-R7. The R7 is an amazing supersport machine that is comfortable too! Check out the YZF-R7 at your local Yamaha dealer, or of course at YamahaMotorsports.com. 

In this week’s first segment, Senior Editor Nic de Sena goes to the Yamaha MT-10 launch. I have to say, the R1-derived MT-10 is one of my all time favorite street bikes. It’s the perfect balance of instant, usable power, crammed into an agile yet stable chassis. All that is built into an incredibly easy-to-ride package. And I’m not even going to mention it’s ability to wheelie… The latest MT-10 has had some upgrades, so I’m very curious to hear what Nic thinks.

For our second segment this week I chat with Paul Jayson—aka The Motorcycle Broker.  Paul has been restoring, collecting, and selling investment grade motorcycles and cars for several decades, and his knowledge and passion for the art of motorcycling seems pretty much unrivaled.

Paul’s quest for total authenticity and insistence on a breathtaking level of detail is incredible. Actually, one of his restorations—a classic MV Agusta—won recently at Salon Privé.

Paul’s take on how the motorcycle market developed globally, and where it’s going, I found fascinating. You can visit Paul’s website at TheMotorcycleBroker.co.uk.    

From all of here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!

Motos and Friends is brought to you by Yamaha. You can check out the amazing YZF-R7 at your local Yamaha dealer, or of course at YamahaMotorsports.com.  The YZF-R7 is an amazing supersport machine that is comfortable too!

In this week’s first segment, Editor Don Williams takes the smallest BMW ADV bike on an urban adventure in Los Angeles. The BMW G 310 GS  is a full size motorcycle with a modest engine, so of course we wonder if it is a little too underpowered and might struggle. Don put it through its paces and gives us his take.

In the second segment, Neale Bayly and Kiran Ridley have returned from the Ukraine to Paris where Kiran is based.

Kiran is an award winning photojournalist, and as an accomplished documentarian, he has covered stories as diverse as drug smuggling around the Mexican border, to the devastation of the Australian Bush Fires, to the tragedy of the Mediterranean migration crisis. Neale and Kiran reminisce about their motorcycle adventure in the Ukraine, and their observations and experiences with the incredibly resilient people of Ukraine, who have been put through such brutal hardship.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiran_ridley/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kiranridley 

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the Yamaha YZF-R7—Yamaha’s awesome supersport machine that is as capable on the racetrack as it is on the street. …and it’s comfortable too! Check it out at at your local Yamaha dealer, or of course at YamahaMotorsports.com.

In this week’s first segment, Senior Editor Nic de Sena rides the BMW K 1600 GT. This is the sporty bagger version of BMW’s K series of machines, those are the models with the awesome 6-cylinder engine. The GT has been given a little makeover for 2023, and Nic gives us his take. 

In the second segment, I chat with one of my all time heroes—three-time World Champion racer ‘fast’ Freddie Spencer. I’ll do my best not to come off as too much of a fanboy here, but frankly it’ll be tough!

In my humble opinion, Spencer is a contender for the GOAT—greatest of all time. Sure, his career was a little shorter than some, and his number of championships falls behind the likes of Lawson, Doohan, Rossi, and of course Marquez. But at the time, Freddie literally changed the way motorcycles were ridden. 30 years before Marc Marquez, Freddie was able to push the front wheel into a slide, corner after corner, lap after lap in order to get the bike turned faster than anyone else. Freddie took completely different lines and was able to get on the throttle so early he could out accelerate anyone off a corner.

In the modern era, of course Freddie is the chairman of the FIM MotoGP Stewards panel. This is the panel of referees for all three classes of Grand prix racing. I talked to Freddie about his task there, and although for contractual reasons with Dorna and the FIM he cannot talk about specific riders, teams, or events, nevertheless his explanation of the job makes for interesting listening. It’s a tough job, and frankly I wouldn’t want to do it! 

At any rate, Freddie’s new book ‘Feel’ is available on Amazon—I’d highly recommend you reading it whether you’re a fan of Freddie or not, even whether you’re into racing or not; every rider has something to learn from his mental approach.

Actually—Ultimate Motorcycling is giving away five copies of the book—signed by Freddie himself—to the first five listeners who contact us with the correct answer to the question: How many national AMA championships did Freddie win, and which years were they?

Please email your answers to producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com and we will contact the winners and send you a signed copy of Feel. Those five winners will be announced on a future episode. Unfortunately for legal reasons this offer is ONLY open to US residents.

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!