Motos and Friends from Ultimate Motorcycle magazine

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

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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 doubled extensively for Gerard Butler in most of his movies; Jason Momoa 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 [email protected]   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

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 [email protected]   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

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 [email protected]   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

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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's Ride for Kids, the longest running national motorcycle charity program, with many events across the country. For over 30 years, the motorcycling community has helped families facing the deadliest childhood disease.”

Learn more about Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation…curethekids.org

Michael Battaglia

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at [email protected]   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

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!

Ultimate Motorcycling/YCRS Discount+ Reward Program

1. For the UM 10% discount on all YCRS programs use code UltimateMC10

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 claim 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 [email protected] and include your booking code as proof of purchase. Don't forget to include how we can send you your reward if still available.

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at [email protected]   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

This week, Senior Editor Nic de Sena has just returned from the sunny South Africa launch of the new Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition. There are a host of upgrades from the standard Norden 901, and Nic gives us his thoughts on those, and how they affect the bike’s overall performance off-road and on. 

You must be familiar with the iconic Suzuki Hayabusa, one of the most exciting sportbikes ever made. For 2023, the Hayabusa is even faster, and the most technologically advanced version ever. Visit suzukicycles.com to learn more, or of course get down to your local Suzuki dealer and check it out in person. Pictures do NOT do it justice!

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Joe Begelfer. Joe was born in the Ukraine back when it was part of the old USSR, and he came to the US with his parents as a small child. Joe’s passion is for vintage and classic BMW boxer-twin motorcycles, and his collection includes some rare birds indeed. Joe is a real rider, and every one of the bikes in his collection is a real rider too. Joe’s prodigious knowledge and infectious enthusiasm about these quirky, older machines is fun to listen to. 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 [email protected]   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!

This week, Editor Don Williams somewhat reluctantly rides the Beta Xtrainer 300 off-road bike. The Beta is a bit of an odd beast. It’s a not-quite-full-sized 2-stroke dirt bike, designed to be a little less intimidating than a full-sized machine. Previous years’ versions were hampered by less-than-stellar suspension. So a highly skeptical Don rode the 2023 model to see if any of the issues have been addressed.   

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We’re all familiar with the Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. However, the latest 2023 version is now faster, and easily the most technologically advanced Hayabusa ever. Check it out at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more—you won’t be disappointed!

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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Ashley Lusky, co-founder of Kickstands Up, the one place where riders of every style can connect to all the motorcycle rides, races, meetups and rallies in their area. Ashley is a long-time off-road rider, yet she still doesn’t consider herself an expert. She recently returned from a serious ADV trip to Baja, California, and she and Teejay chat about the challenges for young women learning to ride off-road.

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 [email protected]   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button...

This week, Associate Editor Gary Ilminen gleefully ventured forth from his snow-swamped home in Wisconsin to Austin, Texas, where he had the opportunity to take the all-new Indian Sport Chief for a long ride. The new Sport Chief is a slimmer, cruiser, and as its name implies, it has a definite sporting side to it.

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Have you looked at the 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa yet? One of the most iconic sportbikes ever, it’s faster and the most technologically advanced Hayabusa ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Steve Sims. He’s a well known motivational speaker, coach, and author of 'Go for Stupid;  The Art of Achieving Ridiculous Goals'. Steve is best known as the ‘sky’s the limit’ fixer who provided elite concierge services to some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential people. That heady list includes John Travolta, Elon Musk, Steven Tyler, Ricard Branson, and many, many others. He laughingly describes those 25 years as “spending billionaires’ money to give them more interesting cocktail hour stories”. He’s a serious motorcycle rider who has a fascinating set of stories to tell. So sit back, and prepare to be entertained!

For more info on Steve: SteveDSims.com  

Instagram & YouTube: @stevedsims

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In our first segment, Senior Editor Nic De Sena has just returned from Jerez, Spain, where he was riding the new Triumph Street Triple 765 R and RS models. These bikes have had significant upgrades and Nic got to ride them both on the track and on the surrounding roads.

Have you looked at the 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa yet? One of the most iconic sportbikes ever, it’s faster and the most technologically advanced Hayabusa ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.

In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Patrick ‘Buzz’ Hayes. He’s a life long motorcycle rider and powersports photographer, and he is now involved in the raising of funds and the production of an upcoming documentary movie about Lilly Farrow—the founder of A.D. Farrow, America’s oldest Harley-Davidson dealer.  ‘Iron Lilly’ will bring the incredible story of Lilly to the big screen, highlighting the trials, tribulations, and ultimate amazing success of a lady who overcame such obstacles to take care of her family.

If you’re interested in investing in the movie, check it out at WeFunder

So from all of us at Ultimate Motorcycling—we hope you enjoy this episode of Motos and Friends!

We love your feedback! Please send us your comments and suggestions at [email protected]   and if you like Motos & Friends, hit the Subscribe button!