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A weekly podcast from the Editorial team at Ultimate Motorcycling. The first segment includes product reviews, and the second segment chats with someone moto-interesting. That includes riders, racers, collectors, industry insiders who have something entertaining to share. All feedback and suggestions welcomed at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com.
Episodes
5 days ago
5 days ago
Hey there, riders and road lovers, welcome back to the Motos and Friends Podcast, brought to you by the editors at Ultimate Motorcycling.
The Motos and Friends Podcast is brought to you by Arai helmets. The founder of Arai Helmets was the man who created the first motorcycle helmet in Japan to protect his own head, and as a result, launched the Japanese motorcycle helmet industry. Arai focuses on glancing off performance, accumulating small differences decade after decade, to further rider protection. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.
This episode we’re revving up with something seriously cool—the 2025 Indian Chieftain PowerPlus Limited 112. This classic bagger’s got a championship heart, rocking the same motor that’s snagged back-to-back MotoAmerica King of the Baggers wins. You’ve seen the 108 in the Pursuit and Challenger, but now the Chieftain’s stepping up with a slick liquid-cooled V-twin, some chassis upgrades, as well as a bunch of fancy electronic rider aids. Don Williams hit the Nevada desert to put this 21st-century beast to the test.
Our second segment this week is a real treat, because Arthur Coldwells sits down with the legend himself—three-time world Grand Prix Champion Freddie Spencer. 2025 is the 40-year anniversary of his double Championship win, and he asked Freddie about that unreal season where he pulled off something that will never be repeated: winning both the 250cc and 500cc class Championships at the same time. That’s the equivalent of winning both the Moto2 and MotoGP Championships in the same year. Most people likely assume that riding both machines at the limit is similar… Wrong. Actually it takes total single-minded discipline and a completely different riding style for each one. Freddie gives us the nuances of exactly what he had to do, and how he accomplished it. So, grab a drink, settle in, and let’s hear from Freddie about how he literally made history at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, where he beat the very best in the world—twice in the same year.
Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Arthur Coldwells had the chance to ride the all new Harley Softail Cruisers recently, and he has to say, he quite liked them! The six models can be separated into three distinct genres, Classic, Statement, and Sport, and although he definitely erred towards his favorite category, he can still see the appeal of the others. Harley made some big changes including adding the new 117 ci motor, and he chats with Editor Don Williams about what he discovered and how they all rode.
The Motos and Friends Podcast is brought to you by Arai helmets. The founder of Arai Helmets was the man who created the first motorcycle helmet in Japan to protect his own head, and as a result, launched the Japanese motorcycle helmet industry. Arai focuses on glancing off performance, accumulating small differences decade after decade, to further rider protection.
The Arai Difference: If your experience has been that “Arai helmets are hard to get on,” then the Contour-X, designed with a wider bottom opening than previous models for easier on/off, is the helmet you’ve been waiting for. Once inside, you will be amazed at the extreme comfort, a key benefit of the Contour-X for long-distance touring, and if you’re into ADV or dual-sport riding, then you’ll want to check out the new Arai XD-5. So try on an Arai at your local dealer. 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.
In our second segment this week, Neale Bayly chats with author Sam Manicom. Sam’s amazing story-telling recounts his adventures that really began with his travels in Africa. The adventures he recounts in this episode make for some fun listening, and his final message at the end will certainly inspire all of us ...and perhaps, a few may even take his advice!
Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Our first segment this episode features the all new KTM 250 Duke. I think we can all agree that little bikes are fun. Especially if you’re coming off a liter-bike or even a fast middleweight, a smaller bike by comparison feels lightweight, flickable and so easy to ride. We loved the KTM Duke 200 a few years back when we had it on extended loan, however it did feel just a teensy bit underpowered when we ventured out beyond the city, and especially if we had to take to a freeway or two. KTM has addressed that, and with new Duke 250 adding another 50cc, it makes a huge difference. Don Williams and Kelly Callan spent some time with the new KTM 250 Duke, and they absolutely loved it.
Our guest this week is Brian Case, Executive Director of the Barber Motorsports Museum in Alabama; home to one of the greatest motorcycle collections anywhere. A few months back, Teejay Adams attended the glittering Motorcycles by Moonlight event dinner, held each year during the Barber Vintage Festival. It’s a pretty magical event, and so Teejay finds out from Brian why it’s a must-do event if you’re at all interested in motorcycles.
Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.
Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
The Honda MiniMoto concept has been an unqualified success. It started 11 years ago with the Honda Grom, and five models now feature the same 125cc motor in different chassis and transmission configurations. Now, the 2025 Honda Dax 125 is the latest member of the family, recalling the classic Trail 70 that debuted in 1969. Don Williams spent some time with the very entertaining new Dax 125, and tells us all about it.
Our guest this week is Gary Turner, Managing Director of Blackstone TEK (BST). a company renowned for its design and production of carbon fiber wheels and other composite components for motorcycles. Gary chats with Neale Bayly and takes us through his amazing motorcycle journey. Turner started racing when he was 16. Some of the bikes Gary has ridden and raced include the rare and incredible Britten, as well as the Ducati Supermono. BST supplied the carbon fiber on such super-exotics as the Ecosse and the various Confederate models, and is currently a partner with Arch Motorcycle, the Gard Hollinger/Keanu Reeves project. It’s been a fascinating ride so far for Gary, and it’s an equally fascinating high-octane listen for us.
Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.
Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Hello everyone, welcome once again to Motos and Friends, the podcast brought to you by the Editors at Ultimate Motorcycling magazine. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
This week, Editor Don Williams tells us about Honda’s revamped version of its mid-size ADV-bike, the Honda NX500. The NX is a lot more than just a rebadged CB500X though, although it is the same reliable, versatile, broadly accommodating motorcycle it has been for over a decade. While the NX500 isn’t likely to be the coolest bike in your garage, it might be the most versatile and practical, and despite a litany of upgrades and new features, it’s only $100 more than last year’s CB500X‚ so it’s definitely a steal. Honda clearly hasn’t lost sight of what makes their midsize adventure bike so appealing, and Don thoroughly enjoyed putting it through its paces.
As many listeners may know, I had the new Suzuki GSX-S1000 GX+ on long-term test until recently, and frankly I loved the bike from the outset. The GX+ is now considered to be Suzuki’s flagship. With its plethora of features and complex electronics systems, I decided to ask Chase Rastegar and Avery Innis from Suzuki to appear on this episode as I wanted them to de-mystify the GX+ and find out what really makes it so very good.
Here’s a quick reminder to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too! Anyway, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.
Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.
We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:
producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com
Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Motos and Friends is brought to you by Arai helmets. If you’re into Dual-Sport, then you’ll want to check out the new Arai XD-5. It’s a completely redesigned helmet, and as with everything from Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. 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.
This episode features Don Williams and Nic de Sena discussing the 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 900. We first met Triumph’s gateway Bonneville-based motorcycle back when it was known as the Street Twin in 2016, known as the most affordable parallel-twin-powered machine in Triumph’s Modern Classic lineup. A name change and a few updates later, this fun-loving standard seizes the middleweight mantle, slotting itself between the Speed 400 (a single-cylinder machine, BTW) and the larger-displacement Speed Twin 1200.
In our second segment this week, Neale Bayly chats with racer Pat Mooney. Pat recently retired from road racing, but his exploits and story from his long career are an entertaining listen.
Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.
We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:
producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
The Motos and Friends Podcast is brought to you by Yamaha.
Have you seen the Yamaha MT-09, the ultimate Hyper Naked experience? Now this is a gift you’re really going to want to give yourself! The MT-09 is ready to dominate the streets with its aggressive styling, powerful CP3 engine, and advanced technology. The 890cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine delivers thrilling torque, exceptional fuel efficiency, and with its quick, precise handling and great brakes, the MT-09 absolutely delivers pure performance. The MT-09 comes with a full-color TFT display and intuitive switchgear so you can customize your ride with four different display themes. Make no mistake: The MT-09 is more than just a motorcycle; it's a stunning statement. With its aggressive styling, unmatched performance, and incredible handling, this is a real motorcycle that turns heads. Check out the MT-09 at your local dealer or at YamahaMotorsports.com
In this week’s first segment, Editor Don Williams tells us about the riding the new Honda Shadow Aero. This classic cruiser has been around for a long time, but it’s had a recent upgrade that’s worth mentioning. This uber-cool looking machine is incredible value for money, and yet it also provides that street-cred we all like too.
Capture the magic of life on two wheels with Insta360 X4, the most popular camera for motorcyclists today! There’s also the Insta360 Ace Pro2 action camera that comes with a Leica lens for a crystal clear picture. With the X4 you can shoot full 360-degree video in 8K resolution, and 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, the X4 does it all. You'll get over 2 hours run time at 5.7K or you can plug it into your bike's USB port and go all day. It even doubles as a dash cam! It's totally waterproof, tough as nails, and incredibly easy to use. By the way, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the motorcyclist in your life, you should check out the great promotion we’re running just in time for this Holiday Season! The first 30 purchasers that head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code MOTOSANDFRIENDS will bag a free $99 Motorcycle Kit plus a selfie stick.
In our second segment Neale Bayly chats with Jim Calandro. Jim started his motorcycle career when he was stationed in Germany many years ago, and after a number of years on several different bikes (including a Suzuki Gixxer 750) he started racing his RD400 Yamaha. We pick up Jim’s story when he started racing, and then went on to found the Ducati Club in Charlotte North Carolina, which organized track days, weekends away, a magazine, and a website. Jim’s accomplished moto career also included some coaching with Sport Bike Track Time. Neale’s chat with Jim is a fun look at the good times he’s had, thanks to his love of two-wheels.
Oh and FYI… if you’re on iOS, you can listen to this podcast on the new Faidr App. That’s F-A-I-D-R, and it’s a new concept in podcasting.
We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:
producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Hello again and welcome to the Ultimate Motorcycling 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.
What’s better than riding Triumph’s new TF 450-RC motocross bike we ask? Well the answer has to be riding the new Triumph motocross bike alongside the GOAT Ricky Carmichael! In the first segment this episode, Will Embree chats with Don Williams about riding the new machine; hanging with Ricky Carmichael, and they go on to discuss the state of motocross and off-road racing in general, in this country. If you’re into dirt bikes, you’ll really enjoy this one.
With the Snippet this episode, we’re bringing you the second part of the amazing action cameras from Insta360. Associate Editor Neill Wyenn has had several Insta360 cameras and now gives us the lowdown on the latest version, the new Insta360 X4. We’re right in gift-giving season so what better gift for any motorcycle rider is there than a great action camera? So, just in time, don’t forget that the first 30 purchasers who use the promo code MOTOANDFRIENDS, will bag a free Motorcycle Kit plus a selfie stick! That’s a $99 value with your Insta360 X4 purchase. Head to the Black Friday sale and save up to 47%!!
In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with motorcycle designer John Keogh. John first worked on the Triumph T595 Daytona and Speed Triple before going freelance. He was then instrumental on various designs at Buell working on the XB Firebolt, the Lightning, the Ulysses & the 1125R. John was also a design partner at US-based Taylormade Racing with the Brough Moto 2 project in 2013, that was a full-monocoque GP bike with a carbon-fiber chassis raced by Jeremy McWilliams at the British GP in 2014.
We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:
producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com