MotoGP 2026 looks simple until you zoom in. It is the last year of this rule set, the last year on Michelin, and the year before the biggest rider shuffle in a decade. So we are making our 2026 predictions now, fully expecting to be wrong. In this episode, we break down what matters and what is noise. 00:00 Why 2026 matters and why 2027 changes everything 01:59 Ducati’s advantage and what they can still develop 14:03 KTM, Yamaha, Honda, and Aprilia: who is climbing, who is stuck 30:04 Toprak arrives: what it changes, what it does not 48:24 Tech corner: rear grip, understeer, and why more grip can hurt

Most riders blame the wrong thing when a bike feels vague, harsh, or unstable. The truth is often simpler. Their suspension is wrong.

In this episode of The Braking Zone, we sit down with Mike Castro of FuziMoto, one of the most respected motorcycle suspension tuners in the United States. Mike has spent decades setting up championship winning race bikes, street bikes, track bikes, cruisers and ADV machines, and he’s seen the same mistakes over and over again.

We talk about what suspension actually does, why common setup advice fails riders, how preload, damping, and spring rates really interact, and how to tell the difference between a setup problem and a riding problem. This is real world suspension knowledge from someone who tunes bikes for a living. If your motorcycle doesn’t feel planted, predictable, or confidence inspiring, this conversation will change how you think about setup forever.

https://www.instagram.com/mtfuzzy17/

Most riders think winter is harmless downtime for their motorcycle. It isn’t.

In this Christmas episode of The Braking Zone, Dave and Brian break down the winter maintenance mistakes that quietly ruin suspension, brakes, engines, fuel systems, and batteries.

These are not beginner errors. Many experienced riders make them every year. We cover what actually needs servicing, what can wait, and what you should never do “just to be safe.” From fork oil and valve adjustments to brake fluid myths, ethanol fuel problems, lithium batteries, and why starting your bike in winter is one of the worst things you can do.

This episode is about peace of mind. Do the work once. Ride all season without anxiety. Plus: upcoming suspension deep dives, airbag tech with Alpinestars, and how winter maintenance makes you a better rider when spring arrives. If you care about riding more and worrying less, this episode matters.

In this episode of The Braking Zone, we break down the motorcycles that actually deserve attention in 2025. Dave and Brian dig into real-world categories such as the best long-haul touring bike, the most underrated middleweight, the open-class superbike that delivers at track days, and why some adventure bikes inspire confidence while others inspire fear. From Road Kings to S1000RRs to Honda’s quietly brilliant CB650R E-Clutch, this episode cuts through hype and gets into what riders should buy based on real miles, real testing, and real experience.

Whether you ride track, tour, or twisties, this one has something for every kind of motorcyclist.

MotoGP winter testing delivered more questions than answers, and in this episode we break down everything that actually matters. From Yamaha’s ongoing struggles to Ducati’s quiet course-correction to Aprilia’s wild aero experiments, we dig into what the 2027 rule changes and the move to Pirelli tires might mean for the future of racing. We also look at why silly season could explode once the new regulations arrive.

Then we explore one of the most fascinating storylines in the paddock: Maverick Viñales partnering with Jorge Lorenzo to rebuild consistency and mental resilience. Could this unlock the best version of Maverick we’ve ever seen?

A viewer question takes us into a deeper conversation about riding on the street, dragging knees, lean angle, posture, and real-world risk management. We share coaching insights, stories, and the one technique most riders overlook. Whether you ride track, street, or both, this part of the discussion might change how you think about riding forever.

This week we dig into the riding questions you’ve been asking: engine braking, trail braking, why riders over-slow, common myths that simply won’t die, and how suspension setup actually works in the real world. We also dive into the Honda CB1000 GT, talk tires across different environments (including those magical Scottish roads), and unpack the real tools riders should be using to stay in control. Smoothness, confidence, and understanding what each input really does. If you’ve ever wondered why something “doesn’t feel right” on the bike, or if you’re unsure which riding advice to trust, this episode brings clarity without the ego or the jargon. Drop your questions for next week — we love answering them.

00:00 – Welcome to The Braking Zone

03:30 – The Honda CB1000 GT Deep Dive

06:00 – Engine Braking vs Trail Braking Explained

14:30 – Why Over-Slowing Happens & How to Fix It

22:30 – Common Riding Advice We Wish Would Disappear

48:40 – Suspension Truths Nobody Tells You

1:12:20 – Viewer Appreciation & Closing Thoughts

MotoGP wrapped up with a wild Valencia finale, and in this episode we break down the biggest stories of the weekend, the season, and what the new concessions mean for Yamaha and Honda. We also dive into Ducati and Aprilia’s continued rise, suspension questions from listeners, and the biggest surprises from EICMA, including the new bikes and aero experiments for next year.

00:00 MotoGP season ends and Valencia chaos

08:00 Ducati and Aprilia rise, Yamaha and Honda struggle, concessions talk

24:50 Yamaha V4 plans and what testing times really mean

35:06 Viewer Question

56:18 EICMA New Bike Highlights

Special edition MM93 Camera: https://store.insta360.com/product/x5?c=6369?utm_term=INR5D9M

In this episode of The Braking Zone, Dave and Brian break down everything from the Portimão MotoGP race to the science of motorcycle tires. From Ducati’s front-end struggles to Michelin’s pressure limits and why Pirelli might be the better street tire, we explore how tire tech defines racing—and why even small changes can transform how a bike feels. Grab your helmet; this one grips hard.

00:00 – Portimão Recap and First Impressions

03:20 – Pirelli vs Michelin: Bulaga’s Transition

09:00 – How Tire Design Changes Braking and Feel

14:00 – The Single Tire Rule and MotoGP Politics

20:00 – Understanding Front Tire Pressure and Heat Cycles

33:00 – Street Tire Myths and Modern Technology

45:00 – How to Feel Grip: Developing Tire Feedback

55:00 – Riding Technique, Bar Setup, and Front-End Confidence

Motorcycles are supposed to be about innovation — but somewhere along the way, we got stuck. From anti-dive forks and carbon frames to the brilliant (and doomed) Motoczysz, the motorcycle industry has a habit of abandoning genius ideas. In this episode, we dig into why progress stalls, why helmet tech still feels decades old, and how electric bikes might be the future we keep resisting. Spoiler: the kids get it right.

00:00 Intro | Why Motorcycles Struggle with Innovation

02:20 Tradition vs. Progress | Why Riders Resist Change

09:00 The Front-End Revolution That Wasn’t | BMW, Hossack, and Anti-Dive Systems

17:30 Forgotten Genius | The Story of Motoczysz

24:00 Too Many Big Swings | Why Brilliant Ideas Fail

37:00 Innovation Stalls | Helmets, Safety, and the Money Problem

47:00 Electric Bikes & The Next Generation

55:00 Let the Kids Ride | Gatekeeping, Golf Carts, and the Future of Motorcycling

We dive into MotoGP’s biggest changes, Yamaha’s risky new V4, KTM’s RC990 reveal, and what happened when Dave rode the Aprilia Tuareg Rally with Dakar legends. Engineering, adventure, and plenty of bad ideas on two wheels.