Motos and Friends from Ultimate Motorcycle magazine

Welcome to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly Podcast, Motos and Friends, brought to you by the Yamaha R7 – a new generation of supersport machine.  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!   We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:   @ultimatemotorcycling  @UltimateMotoMag  @UltimateMotorcycling  producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the new Schuberth E2 helmet. The Schuberth E2 is Endless Adventure! 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! Web:  www.kytamericas.com www.ThailandMototours.com www.risemoto.com   Instagram:  @kytamericas.com @thailandmototours @ohvale_usa @bcretu @nrf_rr 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. 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!

Hello everyone and welcome once again to Motos and Friends, brought to you by Ultimate Motorcycling.  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!

The Royal Enfield Meteor is a retro-style cruiser with the typical classic cool looks from RE. Kelly Callan gives us her thoughts on the bike.  Stephen Marcus played 'Nick the Greek' in Guy Ritchie's cult-classic Brit-underworld 1998 movie, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. He recently discovered motorcycling and talks to Teejay Adams about his love of two-wheels. Note: We had a few internet issues with the Zoom call, so apologies for that! Hope you enjoy his chat anyway.  Sons of Royalty  A voluntary committee established 2008 to raise money through motorcycles, live music and other shenanigans for CHILDLINE. Have a Butcher's: The Making of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels The Actor Stephen Marcus  Twitter: @smarticus62.  Instagram : theactorstephenmarcus  

John Cabral and Harry Gunusen chat about America's fastest Pro Street Bagger.  American Turbo Power: https://www.facebook.com/American-turbo-power-511231132290263 Augustine Herrera (rider) https://www.facebook.com/augustine.herrera Herrera Racing https://www.facebook.com/Herrera-Racing-200375816753000  R&R Cycle http://www.rrcycles.com/shop/  Original story: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2020/02/14/8-second-harley-street-glide-chat-with-builder-harry-gunusen/       

This week Teejay chats to Tyler Poppe. Tyler works on the TV show Mayans MC--and yet he doesn't ride an American V-Twin. Wassup with that?? Also, Arthur finds out from friend Mike Cardillo about his thoughts on the full-size version of the Kawasaki KLX 140R F trail bike. Instagram: @tylerpoppe GT Motocycles Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, Ultimate Motorcycling First Look

Arthur chats with Avery Innis at Suzuki about the amazing new Hayabusa.

Arthur Coldwells chats with Associate Editor David Bober about the new Ducati Multistrada V4, his experience with YCRS, and his use of the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 safety system. For more info on these items in the Podcast check out these links: Ducati Multistrada V4S Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 System YCRS - Yamaha Champions Riding School To read David's story: 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 S Review: Style, Sophistication, Performance

This episode is brought to you by Insta360 and the superb new X5 camera.  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. *  *  *  *  * 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! *  *  *  *  * 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.     *  *  *  *  * 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 takes us on a ride with the Indian Sport Scout. Indian has stood firm with its Scout platform since its introduction in 2015, and since then, although we were treated to many iterations, no fundamental changes have been made. However, for 2025, Indian brings us a major overhaul, including a new motor and frame, though many aspects of the Scout remain familiar. 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. *  *  *  *  * 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

You have to appreciate Aprilia’s moxie. Instead of designing its upright, semi-naked sportbikes to a price, the Noale team dives headfirst into crafting high-performance machines—and then sets the price to match. At $11,499, the 2026 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory is an expensive bike for its class—almost 50 percent more than the Kawasaki Z650. That requires buyers to want something based on quality and capability, rather than prioritizing price. Editor Don Williams headed to the canyons on the new Aprilia, and in the first segment this episode, he gives us the lowdown on what he found. *  *  *  *  * 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 *  *  *  *  * 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

Welcome to the Motos and Friends Podcast. This adventure-filled episode is brought to you by the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in sunny Florida, October 16th through the 19th. 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. *  *  *  *  * 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. *  *  *  *  * 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! *  *  *  *  * 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

Welcome to the Motos and Friends Podcast. This episode is brought to you by Insta360, the leader in 360-degree action camera technology. This episode is also brought to you by the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in the Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas, Florida; on Oct. 16-19. *  *  *  *  * 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.    *  *  *  *  * 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 *  *  *  *  * 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

The Motos and Friends Podcast is brought to you by Insta360. This episode is also brought to you by the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in the Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas, Florida; on Oct. 16-19. 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

Welcome to the Motos and Friends Podcast, brought to you by Insta360. Check out the end of season sale where you can save up to $200 on different Insta360 products! This episode is also brought to you by the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in the Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas, Florida; on Oct. 16-19. *  *  *  *  * 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

This episode 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 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

Welcome to the Motos and Friends Podcast. This week’s episode is brought to you by Yamaha.  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

This episode is brought to you by Yamaha. 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.  *  *  *  *  * 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

The Ultimate Motorcycling Podcast is brought to you by Yamaha. 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.  *  *  *  *  * 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.  *  *  *  *  * 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

This week’s episode is brought to you by Yamaha.   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  @UltimateMotorcycling  producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com