CanyonChasers Podcast // The Braking Zone

Enter to win the 2027 Moto Guzzi V85TT at https://fanathem.com/canyonchasers - MotoGP’s last weekend at Phillip Island ended without the race everyone wanted, so Dave and Brian go over what we did get: the Marquez vs Martin sprint fight, a wet qualifying lap from Marquez that looked like a different sport, Jack Miller’s sendoff, and Martin’s crash heading into Sepang.

After that, the conversation moves into bikes. Dave explains why tall-rounder adventure bikes like the Moto Guzzi V85 and the Africa Twin keep up with sport bikes in a technical canyon. That includes how modern rake, trail, offset and swingarm length get around the old tradeoffs, and how much work modern tires and IMU electronics are quietly doing. Then the insurance check game: if the Multistrada Pikes Peak got written off, what replaces it?

Next comes the naked superbike debate. If you had a blank check, which one goes in the garage: the KTM Super Duke, Aprilia Tuono, BMW S1000R, Speed Triple or the Streetfighter? That leads into engine configurations, Honda’s V3 rumors, and whether electric drivetrains turn gas engines into the new recreational horse.

We close with a talk about how riding schools teach. Why does the same lesson click when one instructor explains it and fall flat when another does? How do you spot snake oil riding advice? And why does the sport depend on everyone riding better?

Tell us in the comments: what naked bike would you buy, and what’s your favorite engine configuration?

Chapters

0:00 The last race at Phillip Island

1:54 Why MotoGP is leaving and the Adelaide street circuit

4:14 Sprint highlight: Marquez vs Martin

7:42 Next year: Acosta, Pirelli tires and the 850s

10:27 Marquez’s wet qualifying masterclass

11:56 Helmets, liveries and Jack Miller’s farewell

16:06 Martin’s injury and Sepang

18:21 The V85 giveaway bike and the case for tall-rounders

21:29 Modern geometry: rake, trail, offset and long swingarms

25:34 Electronics and tires doing the hidden work

28:06 If the Pikes Peak got written off, what replaces it?

33:13 Naked superbike shopping: Super Duke, Tuono, S1000R

45:43 The Speed Triple and the triple debate

49:25 Honda’s V3 and engine configurations

52:36 Electric vs gas: does the engine become the horse?

59:14 Riding schools and coaching language

1:04:58 Listen to the question: the motor officer example

1:10:37 Spotting snake oil riding advice

1:13:03 V85 giveaway details and wrap up

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CanyonChasers

Enter to win the Moto Guzzi V85TT: https://fanathem.com/canyonchasers - Ducati’s factory team just ran away with the most dominant World Superbike season ever, and we think it exposes a bigger problem. When the Panigale V4 R is basically a GP bike you can buy for $50k, why would Yamaha, Kawasaki, or Honda spend millions to show up and lose? We dig into the tech that makes the Ducati so good (twin pulse firing order, counter-rotating crank, electronics that add rear brake mid-corner), why fuel flow limits haven’t slowed it down, and what we’d do with the series if it were up to us. Spoiler: more power, fewer rider aids, worse tires.

We also follow up on last week’s counter steering debate and the idea of putting a potentiometer on the steering head to see what the bars are actually doing. Then we get into single function forks, and I share a frustrating track day at Utah Motorsports Campus West where no setting I tried gave me any front end feel from the big piston fork.

And yes, there’s a brand new Moto Guzzi V85 in the studio. More on that below.

What should happen to World Superbike? Let us know in the comments.

0:00 Intro

0:17 First impressions of the new Moto Guzzi V85

9:22 Counter steering follow-up: your comments

17:04 Ducati's perfect WSBK season

22:30 Inside the Panigale V4 R

30:44 Is this the death of World Superbike?

42:40 What we'd do: more power, fewer aids, worse tires

49:56 BSB's 200hp cap and the 500cc two-stroke era

56:20 Single function forks explained

58:52 Track day: no feel from the big piston fork

1:07:00 Our techniques aren't tattooed on us

Enter to win the Moto Guzzi V85 TT at https://fanathem.com/canyonchasers - Dave spent the week at Barber Vintage Motorcycle Days riding Honda's new CB1000F alongside Freddie Spencer, the only rider to win the 250 and 500 world championships in the same season. We get into how Honda deliberately tuned character into this engine (mismatched velocity stacks for a two-tone intake note, offset cam timing, carburetor-style fueling), why Dave came away liking it more than expected after his long-term time on the Hornet SP, and what it actually takes to keep pace at a press launch on a bike and road you've never seen.

Then Freddie drops a bomb: he told Dave to try cornering without countersteering at all. We break down what countersteering really does, what "counter-countersteering" means on corner exit, and why universities are still trying to figure out how two-wheelers stay upright.

We also talk about the collapse of the big motorcycle magazines, what that means for how brands launch bikes now, and why YouTube's comment section is the best feedback loop a creator can ask for.

Plus a full Mandalika MotoGP recap: the smartest version of Marc Marquez we've ever seen, Aprilia's costly tire pressure mistake in the sprint, the turn one incident where a knee knocked a shifter into first gear, the "nobody wants to lead" standoff, and Marquez stalking Martin through Q2.

00:00 Intro

01:28 Riding Honda's CB1000F with Freddie Spencer

05:04 The retro styling: a Honda restomod

08:11 How Honda engineered character into the engine

15:02 Deep dive: intake and exhaust tuning

21:13 Ergonomics and the small press launch

24:27 Magazines are dying, creators step in

33:10 Riding with Freddie at Barber

39:11 Freddie's advice: stop countersteering

44:41 Countersteering and counter-countersteering explained

50:35 The science of bike stability

54:45 MotoGP Mandalika recap

1:06:16 The tire pressure rule problem

1:12:31 Marquez stalks Martin in Q2

1:14:55 Giveaway bike and outro

#freddiespencer #CB1000F #countersteering

There's a new bike in the garage: a 2021 Ducati Panigale V2, bought to replace an Aprilia RSV4 Factory as a club race bike. We talk about the first track days on a completely bone stock V2 (slicks only), what the Showa Big Piston Fork does well on the brakes and where it falls apart mid-corner, and why racers ditch BPF internals for cartridges.

Then the good part: riding the old 955 V2 and the new 890 V2 back to back on the same track, same day. The new bike has less power, a double-sided swingarm, and a very different personality. On paper it looks like a step backward. On track and on the street, it might be the better bike for most riders.

We also get into why club racing is worth it, whether 155 hp belongs in a middleweight class, Honda's electric-supercharged V3, the unforgivable sin of Honda never building a production V5, a Discovery Channel show that led to an Air Force career in metalworking, and an update on Frunk the cat.

0:00 The new bike: 2021 Ducati Panigale V2

1:09 Why leave the Aprilia RSV4 Factory?

3:31 First track days, bone stock

6:25 Big Piston Forks: great braking, vague mid-corner

17:28 Engine, frame, and the single-sided swingarm

28:00 Old V2 vs new V2 back to back

38:48 The new V2 should have been called a SuperSport

40:53 Will he race it? A love letter to club racing

51:26 Honda's V3 and shifting a twin

59:27 Paint plans and a Discovery Channel origin story

1:04:21 Honda's missing V5, EICMA, and a Triple R wish

1:09:51 Frunk the cat

#PanigaleV2 #Ducati #CanyonChasers

Motegi wasn't an exciting weekend, but it was a fascinating one. A brand new track surface, a Michelin rear tire that came apart in the sprint, and a hard-carcass "safety tire" that not one rider mounted until Sunday warm up, which turned out to be the tire they should have been on all weekend.

Dave and Brian dig into why that happened, how Marc Marquez played cat and mouse with Jorge Martin in the Grand Prix, and what the on-screen rider data shows about how the fastest riders in the world really enter a corner.

That leads into a full riding breakdown: what "brake to the apex" really means, how trail braking trades brake pressure for lean angle, why you want the fork to stay loaded at tip-in, when to pick the throttle back up, and where your eyes should be the whole time. It all applies on the street as much as the track.

We wrap up with MotoGP's plan to add a Friday sprint qualifying session next year, why we think it's about selling Friday tickets and will cost riders, and Brian's idea for a better way to set the grid.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Welcome back

2:07 Motegi preview and the championship fight

4:28 New surface and Michelin's tire gamble

6:05 Sprint: first-lap crash and Martin's shredded tire

12:51 The hard tire nobody tried

18:28 Grand Prix: Marquez's cat and mouse with Martin

24:17 Why MotoGP gets better the more you know

29:39 Riding tip: do you really brake to the apex?

38:03 Anatomy of a corner: braking, tip-in, throttle

43:37 Vision, and using track skills on the street

50:10 MotoGP's new Friday sprint qualifying

59:32 Brian's fix for the sprint grid

1:00:54 Dave's Moto Guzzi video

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CanyonChasers

Royal Enfield might be the heritage motorcycle Harley buyers think they're getting, and after 800 miles of Route 66 on a Classic 650, Dave has thoughts. The CanyonChasers Podcast is back.

In this episode: riding Route 66 from Tulsa to Albuquerque on the Royal Enfield Classic 650 125th anniversary special edition, why Route 66 towns are fading, and why Royal Enfield is built in India. Then a trip to Mandello del Lario for Moto Guzzi's 105th anniversary: the parade, the new factory, running into Max Biaggi, and riding a Stelvio and V85 TT around Lake Como.

Along the way: why motorcycle dealerships have to become community hubs to survive, why forums built better motorcycle culture than social media, a flat track racer driving the chase van, the one-bike quiver debate, and a Jimmy Wood story about secret weighted flat track wheels.

00:00 We're back

01:07 Track day and the one-bike quiver

03:35 Route 66 on a Royal Enfield

07:18 Royal Enfield vs Harley: real heritage

08:35 Why Royal Enfield is built in India

13:35 The future of motorcycle dealerships

18:09 Why Royal Enfield has a cult following

20:28 Flat trackers and the Jimmy Wood story

25:57 Moto Guzzi's 105th and meeting Max Biaggi

31:57 Lake Como: Stelvio or V85 TT?

35:30 Brand tribes and the motorcycle wave

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CanyonChasers

Enter to win the Ducati Monster Plus at https://fanathem.com/canyonchasers Are parallel twins taking over on the track, or is there still no replacement for open-class power? In this episode, we compare the street and track-only versions of the rare KTM 990 RC R. We test how its unique 1,481 mm wheelbase and aggressive rake alter cornering stability, contrast the street bike's wide TFT dash with the streamlined track layout, and break down why the race-prepped version feels so radically different out of the crate.

Plus, as Brian looks to transition away from our Aprilia RSV4 track bike, we evaluate our top contenders—including the BMW S1000RR, Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, and Ducati Panigale V2.

To wrap up, we share real-world feedback on the Bridgestone S23 tires after pushing them through the canyons. What you'll learn in this episode:KTM 990 RC R Street vs. Track: How suspension travel, mapping, direct brake lines, and clip-on ergonomics completely transform the track model. Chassis Dynamics: Why a long wheelbase paired with steep rake geometry creates high-speed stability without losing sharp turn-in.

Choosing the Next Track Bike: The pros, cons, and costs of open-class power versus lightweight middleweight agility. Real-World Tire Performance: Breakdown of the Bridgestone S23 vs. Pirelli Rosso IV on high-torque street bikes.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro & Childhood Motorcycle Memories

03:40 - Re-Introductions & YouTube Backstory

05:25 - Ducati Monster Giveaway Update

07:44 - Replacing the Aprilia RSV4 Race Bike

11:20 - Litre Bike Contenders: BMW S1000RR & Honda Fireblade

15:00 - The Case for Middleweights & Ducati Panigale V2

20:55 - Introduction to the KTM 990 RC R

24:35 - KTM 990 RC R Street Ride Impressions

36:39 - KTM 990 RC R Track Model Test Ride

44:00 - Exhaust Tuning, Suspension & Ergonomics

48:44 - Chassis Physics: Long Wheelbase Handling Explained

56:15 - Clip-Ons vs. High Bars on Track Days

01:00:00 - Canyon Rides & Bridgestone S23 Tire Review

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CanyonChasers

Enter to win this incredible Ducati Monster: https://fanathem.com/canyonchasers

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about motorcycle tires, comparing Pirelli, Dunlop, Bridgestone, and Michelin. We dive into why Pirelli uses soft carcass construction while Dunlop and Bridgestone rely on stiffer carcasses, how altitude changes affect your tire gauge pressure, and how to properly manage heat cycles on track day slicks.

We also explore why designing a single motorcycle headlight costs $1 million to pass NHTSA approval, discuss the significance of the last Desmodromic Ducati Monster, and analyze the MotoGP round at Silverstone. Video Chapters00:00 - Moto YouTuber Schedules & EICMA Prep

02:33 - The Last Desmo Ducati Monster

05:10 - Why Motorcycle Headlights Cost $1 Million to Approve

09:52 - MotoGP Silverstone Recap & Tire Pressure Drama

15:09 - Maverick Vinales & Moto2 Race Breakdown

20:36 - Major Tire Brands Comparison Overview

23:23 - Michelin: Wet Performance & V-Profile Characteristics

27:23 - Bridgestone: Stiff Carcass & Front-End Grip

34:42 - Pirelli: Soft Carcasses & Forgiving Pressure Windows

48:42 - Dunlop: Pointy Front Profiles & High-Pressure Setup

01:01:58 - Can You Mismatch Front and Rear Tire Brands?

01:05:42 - Heat Cycling, Tire Warmers, & Slicks Longevity

01:09:11 - Tire Pressure Masterclass: Elevation Effects & The 10% Rule

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CanyonChasers

Enter for a chance to win our 2024 Ducati Monster Plus: https://fanathem.com/canyonchasers We’re back to talk all things motorcycle racing, tech, and riding culture! We kick off with Dave finally taking his dialed-in bike out for a real ride. Then, we dive into the latest MotoGP silly season rumors surrounding Jack Miller’s potential move to World Superbike.

From there, we take a deep dive into the state of motorcycle racing: How to fix World Superbike and MotoAmerica

Why British Superbike (BSB) electronics-free rules create superior racing

How modern tire technology allows Moto2 bikes to beat 2006 MotoGP lap times

What to expect with the 2027 850cc MotoGP regulations reset

Debunking the myth that Marc Marquez "ruined" Honda

How would YOU fix World Superbike or MotoAmerica? Let us know in the comments below!

Don't forget to like and subscribe for more motorcycle chatter every week! YouTube Chapters

00:00 - Catching Up & Dave’s Bike Setup

06:48 - MotoGP News: Jack Miller’s World Superbike Rumors

11:27 - How to Fix World Superbike & MotoAmerica

28:36 - Why British Superbike (BSB) Rules Get It Right

34:18 - Are Tires the Secret to Modern Lap Times? (Moto2 vs 2006 MotoGP)

53:18 - Comparing Tire Brands, Heat Cycles & Grip

01:03:40 - The 2027 MotoGP Regulation Reset & Engineering vs. Riders

01:12:08 - Did Marc Marquez Really Ruin Honda?

01:19:54 - Outro & What’s Next

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CanyonChasers

We're back from our summer break with a packed show! We start off with a deep dive into an epic riding trip through Iceland aboard the Norton Atlas. Why should you skip expensive Gore-Tex for gear like Alpinestars Drystar? We put waterproof ratings to the ultimate test in soggy North Atlantic weather. Plus, we discuss the brutal reality of dealership floor-space requirements keeping boutique bikes like Norton off showroom floors, and how CFMoto exploited a genius World Superbike homologation loophole. Then, we shift gears into complete 2027 MotoGP "Silly Season" chaos! We break down every major team move and rumor on the grid: Marc Marquez & Pedro Acosta joining forces at Ducati Lenovo Fabio Quartararo’s shock jump to Honda The stark contrast in riding styles between Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura at Yamaha Why Moto2 leader Manu Gonzalez might be robbed of a MotoGP seat due to passport politics What's next for Jack Miller, Maverick Viñales, and Brad Binder Video Chapters00:00 - We’re Back! (And Yellowstone Remote Fail) 01:10 - Riding the Norton Atlas in Iceland 02:50 - STOP Buying Gore-Tex! (Alpinestars Drystar Iceland Test) 05:14 - Norton Atlas Engine & Styling Breakdown 12:15 - The Real Reason You Can't Buy a Norton in America (Dealership Floor Space) 19:25 - Modern Sportbike Aesthetics vs. Classic Design 24:20 - CFMoto’s Genius WorldSBK Exhaust Loophole 29:20 - 2027 MotoGP Silly Season Grid Breakdown Begins 31:18 - Ducati Lenovo & Aprilia: Marquez, Acosta, Bagnaia & Bezzecchi 34:40 - Factory KTM: Alex Marquez & Di Giannantonio Jump Ship 38:00 - Factory Honda: Quartararo, David Alonso & Diogo Moreira 41:35 - Factory Yamaha: Jorge Martin vs. Ai Ogura (Aggressive vs. Smooth) 45:10 - VR46, Gresini & Trackhouse: Aldeguer, Bulega, Mir & Bastianini 51:10 - Tech3, LCR & Pramac Yamaha Updates 54:40 - Who’s OUT? Miller, Viñales & The Manu Gonzalez Injustice 59:00 - Why Japanese & American Brands Struggle to Adapt Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CanyonChasers📨 Join our email list: https://www.canyonchasers.net/email/☕️ Buy me a Coffee; https://ko-fi.com/canyonchasers💬 Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/MrFMKFVBAH