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.

Are motorcycles stuck in the past?

In this episode of The Braking Zone, Dave and Brian trace how brilliant ideas—from Buell’s mass-centralized frames to Motoczysz’s revolutionary forks—vanished under the weight of tradition. They dive into Toprak’s dominance in World Superbike, the return of Americans on the world stage, and how MotoGP technology keeps rewriting the rulebook.

It’s part history lesson, part engineering rant, and a full-throttle argument for innovation over nostalgia.

00:00 – 08:15 | The Toprak Takeover

Discussion about World Superbike, Toprak Razgatlioglu’s dominance, and his potential move to MotoGP. Includes analysis of BMW’s performance, Ducati’s advantage, and MotoGP seat politics.

08:15 – 13:00 | Americans Back on the World Stage

Bobby Fong’s wildcard ride in World Superbike and the difficulty of transitioning from MotoAmerica. Reflections on tire differences (Dunlop vs. Pirelli) and the excitement of seeing Americans compete internationally.

13:00 – 21:30 | MotoGP Predictions and the Honda Resurrection

Preview of the upcoming Phillip Island round, rider absences (Marquez, Martin, Maverick), and analysis of Honda’s surprising technical improvements through smarter testing and part integration.

21:30 – 27:00 | The Mass Damper Mystery

Deep dive into MotoGP’s tuned mass dampers and bike evolution—from mass centralization to tail-section engineering. Dave and Brian dissect mechanical purpose and recall historical examples like Buell’s innovations.

27:00 – 45:00 | The Death of Innovation

Wide-ranging talk about Buell, Motoczysz, and Pier Terblanche’s radical designs. Dave recounts meeting Terblanche, discussing the Meredith Effect, the Ducati 999, and how tradition suffocates innovation in motorcycle design.

45:00 – End | The Beauty of Purpose-Built Machines

Closing discussion connecting motorcycles to aircraft engineering (A-10 Warthog analogy), the appeal of functional design, and reflections on how purpose defines aesthetic value in racing and beyond.

#Motorcycles #MotoGP #Innovation #CanyonChasers #TheBrakingZone #MotorcyclePodcast #Engineering #Racing #Superbike #Tradition

The Mandalika MotoGP delivered wild racing, brutal heat, and some seriously cooked tires. In this episode, we break down what really happened in Indonesia, why tire temps went through the roof, and how tire warm-up plays a bigger role than most riders realize. From MotoGP tech to everyday riding tips, we’ll dig into what hot tracks and cold tires teach us about grip, confidence, and control on two wheels.

Marc Marquez seals the MotoGP championship at Motegi in what many are calling the greatest sports comeback of all time. In this episode, we dive deep into Marquez’s career arc, the Rossi feud, his injury and redemption, and what this win means for the sport. We also break down Bagnaia’s stunning turnaround, Mir’s surprise podium, KTM’s braking struggles, Yamaha’s ongoing woes, and Martin’s costly crash. Plus, we look at MotoAmerica’s big changes and the state of American racing. If you love racing, this episode is packed with drama, insight, and a whole lot of passion.

00:00 – Why this is the greatest sports comeback ever

21:07 – Bagnaia shocks the paddock with a dominant weekend

28:56 – Acosta’s aggression, brake failure, and KTM chassis struggles

33:47 – Yamaha’s ongoing issues and Jack Miller’s insights

37:56 – Dramatic sprint race crash: Martin, Bez, and a broken collarbone

43:55 – Bagnaia’s turnaround: old swingarm, Casey Stoner’s input

56:21 – MotoAmerica news: Beaubier’s 6th championship

01:03:45 – Wrap-up, listener feedback, and outro

Choosing the right motorcycle isn’t just about horsepower or style. In this episode, we break down the key things every rider should consider before buying a bike; comfort, fit, purpose, budget, and long-term enjoyment. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or adding to your garage, this conversation will help you avoid common mistakes and make a smarter, safer choice.

MotoGP is entering a new era as Yamaha finally joins the V4 revolution. In this episode, we break down the latest MotoGP race, explore why everyone is using the V4 engine, and reveal the real reason behind the change. From performance myths to engineering truths, this discussion uncovers what makes the V4 the future of MotoGP. Perfect for fans who want the story behind the speed.

In this episode of The Braking Zone, we break down the MotoGP weekend in Spain — from Marc Marquez’s cautious dominance to Fabio Quartararo’s fight on the Yamaha, KTM’s strong showing, and Bastianini’s return to form. We also dive into Yamaha’s V4 test bike debut, Acosta’s puzzling tire gamble, and the ongoing struggles of Morbidelli. Plus, we go deep on helmet technology, safety standards, and why gear fit matters more than brand names.

Bonneville isn’t what most riders imagine. At the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, the salt is rough, grip is scarce, and riders face challenges MotoGP racers never experience. From salt-slip to thin air at 4,500 feet, every run tests both machine and rider. In this video we explore the history of Bonneville, what makes it unique, and why it may not survive another generation. Come behind the scenes and see why this place is unlike anywhere else in the motorcycle world.

• 0:00 MotoGP Hungary Recap
• 13:50 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials
• 35:16 Utah Highway Patrol Motor Officers and Utah Motorcycle Road Racing
• 47:02 Front Suspension: TeleLever, Hossack and Cartridge Forks