Motos and Friends from Ultimate Motorcycle magazine

The Motos and Friends Podcast is brought to you by Yamaha.

Introducing the Yamaha MT-09, the ultimate Hyper Naked experience. With its aggressive styling, powerful CP3 engine, and advanced technology, the MT-09 is ready to dominate the streets. Feel the raw power of the MT-09's 890cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine. Delivering thrilling torque and exceptional fuel efficiency, this machine is built for performance. Experience the future of Hyper Naked technology with the MT-09's five-inch full-color TFT display and intuitive switchgear. Customize your ride with four different display themes and navigate effortlessly through the controls. The MT-09 is more than just a motorcycle; it's a statement. With its aggressive styling and unmatched performance, it's ready to turn heads and dominate the streets. Discover the MT-09. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com

If you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App a new concept in podcasting.

In this week’s first segment, Editors Don Williams and Nic de Sena tell us about the 2024 BMW R 12 nineT. With the standard R 12 taking on the job as a sporty cruiser for urban dwellers, this version of the model looks to satisfy more performance-oriented customers. Don put plenty of miles on the new R 12 nineT up and down California and he tells us all about it.

For the Snippet this episode, we’d like you hear more about the amazing action cameras from Insta360.  I asked Adam Stringer from Insta360 to tell us his take on why their cameras are so popular with motorcycle riders, and to let us know what’s new from the company. Oh yes… and don’t forget, the first 30 purchasers who use the promo code MOTOSANDFRIENDS, will bag a free Motorcycle Kit plus selfie stick! Those are worth $99 with any Insta360 X4 purchase. So head to store.insta360.com and get yours now.

In our second segment Teejay Adams has a chat with Ed Milich, a life-long motorcycle rider, and a mechanical engineer for over two decades. He is now a consultant and expert witness supporting legal clients on motorcycle and vehicle-related subjects. Ed is a championship-winning motorcycle racer and fabricator, and has won races at Daytona, Willow Springs, Laguna Seca, Miller Motorsports Park, Barber Motorsports Park, and numerous other venues on motorcycles of his own construction and design. In the good ole print days, Ed was a regular contributor to several magazines including Motorcyclist, American Historic Racing Motorcycle Magazine, and the Moto Guzzi National Owners Magazine.

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Welcome the Motos and Friends Podcast from Ultimate Motorcycling, brought to you by Yamaha.

Introducing the Yamaha MT-09, the ultimate Hyper Naked experience. With its aggressive styling, powerful CP3 engine, and advanced technology, the MT-09 is ready to dominate the streets. Feel the raw power of the MT-09's 890cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine. Delivering thrilling torque and exceptional fuel efficiency, this machine is built for performance. Experience the future of Hyper Naked technology with the MT-09's five-inch full-color TFT display and intuitive switchgear. Customize your ride with four different display themes and navigate effortlessly through the controls. The MT-09 is more than just a motorcycle; it's a statement. With its aggressive styling and unmatched performance, it's ready to turn heads and dominate the streets. Discover the MT-09. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com

In this week’s first segment, Editors Don Williams and Nic de Sena tell us about the incredibly versatile KTM 890 SMT. Could this bike be an all-rounder? Every rider will see its strengths differently. The SM part stands for Supermoto, however the T actually means touring—and you’re not touring when you’re riding supermoto …or can you? There are even more uses for the SMT that aren’t revealed in the three-letter designation, so Don and Nic push the starter button, and bring the LC8c parallel twin to life.

Capture the magic of life on two wheels with Insta360 X4, the most popular camera for motorcyclists today! Shoot full 360-degree video in 8K resolution, then choose any angle you want after your ride. It's incredible! From immersive POVs to unique, third-person shots of you and your bike, Insta360 X4 does it all. You'll get over 2 hours run time at 5.7K or plug it into your bike's USB port and go all day. It's totally waterproof, tough as nails, and incredibly easy to use. It even doubles as a dash cam! To bag a free Motorcycle Kit plus selfie stick worth $99 with any Insta360 X4 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code MOTOANDFRIENDS, available for the first 30 purchases only.

In our second segment Teejay Adams chats with lady-racer Holly Varey. You may know that Holly was one of the competitors in Royal Enfield’s brilliant BTR racing series in 2022 and 2023, and in the final race she finished on the podium. But there’s a lot more to Holly’s racing and she also wrenches and competes in several different AHRMA historic racing classes on a variety of machinery. Teejay caught up with Holly after the recent Barber Vintage Festival at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. Holly is very articulate and descriptive, so it’s fascinating to hear her talk about how she got started, what motivates her, and about some of the awesome motorcycles she’s ridden along the way.

Holly Varey: Instagram | Facebook 

Royal Enfield BTR: Instagram | website 

Vintage Road Racing Association: Instagram | website

AHRMA: Instagram  | website

  @ultimatemotorcycling

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Welcome the Motos and Friends Podcast from Ultimate Motorcycling, brought to you by Yamaha.

Introducing the Yamaha MT-09, the ultimate Hyper Naked experience. With its aggressive styling, powerful CP3 engine, and advanced technology, the MT-09 is ready to dominate the streets. Feel the raw power of the MT-09's 890cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine. Delivering thrilling torque and exceptional fuel efficiency, this machine is built for performance. Experience the future of Hyper Naked technology with the MT-09's five-inch full-color TFT display and intuitive switchgear. Customize your ride with four different display themes and navigate effortlessly through the controls. The MT-09 is more than just a motorcycle; it's a statement. With its aggressive styling and unmatched performance, it's ready to turn heads and dominate the streets. Discover the MT-09. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com

In this week’s first segment, Nic de Sena tells us all about the new Yamaha MT-09 SP. The SP comes hot on the heels of the standard MT-09 update earlier this year, with three key upgrades: top-shelf KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, and some interesting racetrack-inspired electronics.

Interestingly, the MT-09 SP has now been joined by the long-awaited 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9. Revealed just last week, the track-only R9 is the larger sibling to the R7. It’s got the same excellent triple-cylinder CP3 engine as the MT-09, yet the R9 is a full supersport machine that’s positioned to go up against the other machines in the class. It’ll be interesting to see how it fares, and as soon as we’ve had a chance to ride it, we’ll let you know!

Capture the magic of life on two wheels with Insta360 X4, the most popular camera for motorcyclists today! Shoot full 360-degree video in 8K resolution, then choose any angle you want after your ride. It's incredible! From immersive POVs to unique, third-person shots of you and your bike, X4 does it all. You'll get over 2 hours run time at 5.7K or plug it into your bike's USB port and go all day. It's totally waterproof, tough as nails, and incredibly easy to use. It even doubles as a dash cam! To bag a free Motorcycle Kit plus selfie stick worth $99 with any X4 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code MOTOSANDFRIENDS, available for the first 30 purchases only.

In our second segment I chat with motorcycle racing royalty, 3-time 500cc World Champion ‘King’ Kenny Roberts. Both Kenny and his son’s world championship winning motorcycles—as well as one of Team KR’s Proton MotoGP racebikes and all their memorabilia—is now all a permanent part of the Barber Motorsports Museum Collection. 

I sat down with Kenny at the recent Barber Vintage Festival, and he talks to me in his frank and funny style about almost everything. Why the bike now on display (his 1980 Grand Prix race-winning Yamaha YZR500) is his favorite race bike; what drove him to such extraordinary achievements; and what it was like to ride—and win—on the fearsome Yamaha TZ750 2-stroke dirt tracker that one time at the Indy Mile. Kenny candidly tells me what’s different about the modern era race bikes compared to his era; why he wouldn’t hire legend Max Biaggi to ride his KR MotoGP bike; what he thought of his fearsome rival Barry Sheene, and of course, with a twinkle in his eye—why he likes English women. It’s a fascinating insight into one of the truly greatest motorcycle racers of all time.

So, without further ado, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we really think you’re going to enjoy this episode!

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The Motos and Friends Podcast from Ultimate Motorcycling is brought to you by Yamaha.

Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 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.  

Unfortunately it rained at the launch earlier this year in Spain, so Nic de Sena got hold of a 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo and tested it thoroughly on both track and on the street in California. You may be thinking of switching brands, or you might also be looking to upgrade from a middleweight, but as Nic said, the big KTM super-naked gives you “the most fun for the buck”. It’s a highly complex machine and Nic explains all.

In our second segment this week, Arthur Coldwells chats with the thoughtful and brilliant motorcycle designer, JT Nesbitt of Bienville Studios in New Orleans. Actually, JT is the designer of the premiere edition cover bike of Robb Report Motorcycling magazine back in 2004—the Wraith. JT’s latest project is the exquisite-looking Magnolia 4; a breathtakingly beautiful retro-styled, inline-4 motorcycle. Check out Bienville Studios for pictures and more information on the design journey that JT and his team have been on for the last few years.  

By the way, if you’re into Dual-Sport riding, then should check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s completely redesigned, and typical Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. For example, the new visor system is designed to maximize vision and surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail; there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”. A helmet is not only about safety, it’s also about comfort. The incredible fit and plush interior of any of the Arai helmets is immediately noticeable.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. 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.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 [email protected]

Hello everyone and welcome to the Motos and Friends Podcast, brought to you by Yamaha.

Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 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.  

Suzuki’s new flagship is a street sportbike with adventure bike styling. I’ve been riding the all new crossover GSX-S1000 GX+ with its awesome electronics package and semi-active suspension. I was able to have an extensive chat with Teejay Adams on the pros and cons of this magical motorcycle.

In our second segment this week, Teejay chats with EveAnna Manley. She is President of Manley Laboratories, the Chino, California, based Manley Labs that produces recording, mixing, mastering and playback audio equipment. But there’s a lot more to EveAnna than just designing and manufacturing incredible audio gear, she’s also an avid motorcycle rider and is Secretary of the Pasadena Motorcycle Club, the third one oldest motorcycle club in the world! She’s a multi-talented lady with a great sense of humor too.

By the way, if you’re into Dual-Sport riding, then should check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s completely redesigned, and typical Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. For example, the new visor system is designed to maximize vision and surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail; there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”. A helmet is not only about safety, it’s also about comfort. The incredible fit and plush interior of any of the Arai helmets is immediately noticeable.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. 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.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 [email protected]

Hello everyone and welcome to the Motos and Friends Podcast, brought to you by Yamaha.

Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 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.  

Honda’s legendary engineering prowess has led to many innovations over the years. Not least, Honda was the first company to come up with a seamless transmission in MotoGP, and of course we’re now seeing the incredible Dual Clutch Transmission on several models, the favorite of mine being the outstanding Gold Wing touring bike. Well now we’re seeing something very different again. The new Honda CBR- and CB650R models are now equipped with Honda’s all-new E-clutch technology. This automates the clutch operation with computer-controlled electronic assistance—while still allowing the rider to use the clutch manually if they want to! This amazing innovation will especially appeal to new riders, but clearly it could be fitted to just about any of the Honda range too. Nic de Sena has ridden using the new e-clutch, and he and Don discuss the pros and cons.

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with Mark Long of the relatively new Driven to Ride podcast that shares the stories of motorcyclists from all walks of life. Mark came to podcasting via radio, so he’s a genuine professional in the audio world, and as an avid motorcycle rider, it seems like a natural fit to have him around in the motorcycle audio business. Mark explores his life-changing experiences on two wheels, with one of his first ventures to the iconic Sturgis motorcycle rally in the Black Hills of South Dakota. If you haven’t listened to Driven to Ride, then you really should. Anything we can all do to help bring more enthusiasts to motorcycling has to be a good thing!

By the way, if you’re into Dual-Sport riding, then should check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s completely redesigned, and typical Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. For example, the new visor system is designed to maximize vision and surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail; there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”. A helmet is not only about safety, it’s also about comfort. The incredible fit and plush interior of any of the Arai helmets is immediately noticeable.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. 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.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 [email protected]

Hello everyone and welcome to the Motos and Friends Podcast, brought to you by Yamaha.

Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 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.  

There’s nothing quite like massive amounts of torque to make a motorcycle accelerate in a real hurry, and that is one of the allures of an electric motorcycle. In this week’s first segment, Don Williams talks about riding the new Verge TS Pro. There are several areas where this bike is unusual, not least its looks. But its claimed torque output of 738 ft/lbs is such a ludicrous-sounding number it raises a bunch of questions. Having ridden it briefly around Malibu, Don fills us in on whether this very different motorcycle is actually worth a real look.   

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with Rick Glover and his son Cooper. Cooper is only just a teenager, but he’s shown real promise on the racetrack, and indeed, he won the SFLMiniGP series Championship in 2023. Truth is, America needs these youngsters to progress in the sport so that we can have real competitors once more at the MotoGP level. Cooper’s Dad Rick fills us in on the effort and commitment needed to bring his son to the forefront of motorcycle racing with the ultimate goal of reaching the world stage.

So, from all of us here at Motos and Friends, we hope you enjoy this episode!   

By the way, if you’re into Dual-Sport riding, then should check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s completely redesigned, and typical Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. For example, the new visor system is designed to maximize vision and surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail; there is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”. A helmet is not only about safety, it’s also about comfort. The incredible fit and plush interior of any of the Arai helmets is immediately noticeable.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. 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.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

Instagram links:

Cooper Glover Racing

SFLMiniGP

Facebook Links:

Cooper Glover Racing

SFLMiniGP

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Motos and Friends is brought to you by Yamaha. Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 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.

Whether you're chasing the next horizon on the highway, or blazing trails through the wilderness, the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700 is your ticket to adventure. Learn more at Yamaha Motorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.

In this week’s first segment, our big boss Editor Don Williams chats with Senior Editor Nic de Sena about a new ADV machine he’s recently been raving about: the all-new BMW F 900 GS. Don rode the middleweight 900 GS extensively, and he compares its upgrades to the previous model 850. So: is this new 900 a serious contender in the rapidly growing middleweight ADV category or is it just a slightly more powerful 850?

In our second segment this week, I chat with Gard Hollinger, co-Founder of Arch Motorcycle. Since its inception, Arch has developed a stellar reputation for making exquisitely crafted and beautifully finished American V-Twin motorcycles. Of course most people already know that movie-star Keanu Reeves is the other half of Arch Motorcycle, so among the many things I wanted you to learn was how the company got started, where it's going, and whether Keanu is just a sleeping partner in the company?

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

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Motos and Friends is brought to you by Yamaha. Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 Yamaha Téneré 700, the ultimate adventure bike designed to conquer any terrain. The Téneré 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.

Whether you're chasing the next horizon on the highway, or blazing trails through the wilderness, the 2024 Yamaha Téneré is your ticket to adventure. Learn more at Yamaha Motorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Téneré 700 for yourself.

In this week’s first segment Don Williams and Nic de Sena tell you all about the new Moto Morini Seiemmezzo STR Sport. Moto Morini has been around since 1937 and the now Chinese-owned company is bringing the classic Italian brand back to America. The STR Sport is an international mix of truly high-quality components, with a 650 parallel twin engine licensed from Kawasaki; Japanese suspension from KYB, Italian brakes from Brembo, and German electronics from Bosch. However, the Seiemmezzo is quite heavy, and Don gives us his impressions on how the bike rides and whether it’s likely to be a real hit, or a miss.

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with Whit Bazemore. I think we can safely say that Whit is a major motorsports enthusiast as he’s done a bit of everything including drag-racing Funny Cars at the top level. But his claim to fame is as an internationally renowned photographer who discovered that his real passion is MotoGP, and he’s now planning to parlay his incredible photography into a digital MotoGP magazine called The Lean Angle.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

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 [email protected]

Motos and Friends is brought to you by Yamaha and the Yamaha Tenere.

Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700, the ultimate adventure bike designed to conquer any terrain. Whether you're chasing the next horizon on the highway, or blazing trails through the wilderness, the 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700 is your ticket to adventure. Learn more at Yamaha Motorsports.com and visit your Yamaha dealer to experience the thrill of the Tenere 700 for yourself.

Don Williams and Nic de Sena bring you this week’s first segment on the all new BMW F 900 GS. These new middleweight enduro-style bikes are a departure from the more traditional heavyweight ADV bikes and we’re seeing several of these appear on the market. Don tells us whether BMW goes far enough to compete with the likes of KTM and Husqvarna, or whether the F 900 GS doesn’t quite reach the mark.   

In our second segment this week, Neale Bayly chats with Dustin Nere. A few years ago, Dustin decided he’d had enough. So, he sold his house, quit his job, bought himself a Suzuki DR650, and headed off to South America to discover a life of adventure! Is this is the life we all secretly want… or will hearing Dustin’s take on travel be enough to satisfy our wanderlust for the time being?

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

 @UltimateMotoMag

 @UltimateMotorcycling

 [email protected]