Motos and Friends from the Ultimate Motorcycle

KTM Cross Country models + The Pack Track--Stu and Janell

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

 

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.

BMW Roctane + The Indestructible Clutch + Angie Sandow

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the Yamaha Heritage line. The Yamaha name stands for a heritage of motorcycle performance and classic styling. Visit your local dealer to find the 2023 Yamaha sport heritage bike for you.

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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Suzuki GSX-8S + Rennie Scaysbrook, IOM TT Racer

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the Yamaha R7, your gateway to a new generation of supersport machine.

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 200 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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We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

@ultimatemotorcycling

@UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com

 

H-D Highway King + Kelly Knievel

This week's Motos & Friends is all about motorcycling icons; we’re focused on the heritage of motorcycling.

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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Ducati Monster SP + Mark Neale ”Hitting The Apex”

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the Yamaha R7, your gateway to a new generation of supersport machine.

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!

 

Honda Rebel 1100T DCT + Hollywood stuntman Joe Bucaro

Motos and Friends is powered by the Yamaha R7. The R7 is part of Yamaha’s R World, and the R7 is your gateway to a new generation of supersport machine.

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 also doubled extensively for Gerard Butler in most of his movies; Jason Mamoa 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!

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 + Drew Alexander with Neale Bayly

Motos and Friends is powered by the Yamaha R7. The R7 part of Yamaha’s R World, and the R7 is your gateway to a new generation of supersport machine.

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!

 

King of The Baggers Indian + Paul d’Orleans, ”The Vintagent”

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the new Schuberth E2 helmet. The Schuberth E2 is endless adventure!

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!

Kawasaki Ninja 650 with TC and ABS + Michael Battaglia of Ride for Kids

Motos and Friends is brought to you by the new Schuberth E2 helmet. The Schuberth E2 is endless adventure!

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 and the well known Ride For Kids charity. Ride For Kids is the longest running national motorcycle charity program, with many events across the country.

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!

Yamaha Champ School with TJ + Nathan and Brandon of KYT Helmets

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!

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Ultimate Motorcycling/YCRS Discount+ Reward Program

1. For the UM 10% discount on all YCRS programs. Use this code when booking your class: 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 us for 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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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!