Ultimate Motorcycling

This episode 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.

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In our first segment, we reveal the all new 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure that has been completely redesigned. Our test bike includes the latest ShiftCam boxer engine and an optional automatic transmission which we tested as part of the Premium Package. It also has the new Adaptive Height control and a host of other options. This is an incredibly complex motorcycle with a vast array of adjustments, so find yourself a comfortable chair while Don Williams and Jonathan Handler dive into their thoughts on riding this amazing motorcycle.

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Have you checked out Insta360, the leader in 360-degree action camera technology? Their latest camera, the Insta360 X5, shoots in all directions at once in incredible 8K30 resolution. Just hit record, focus on your ride, and then find the best angles in the edit with Insta360’s mobile app—it’s easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools to make it easy and super-fast. The X5’s huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode deliver unmatched detail and image quality—even at night. The X5 is waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360’s toughest-ever replaceable lenses and lens guards. And as if that wasn’t enough, now the Summer Update brings together a series of innovations that make X5 even more powerful, versatile, and intuitive than ever before. New features like AdaptiveTone, gives smart exposure in complex lighting situations; and with the latest firmware update, the standard battery now offers an even longer runtime. But if you need even more, some incredible accessories are available including the Ultra Battery with 17% more battery capacity that delivers more runtime, and when charging, it reaches 80% in just 20 minutes. Other accessories include ND Filters, specially designed for 360 cameras that give you complete control in any lighting condition, they’re ideal for conveying speed in motorcycle footage or achieving pro-looking motion effects. There is also the GPS Preview Remote with its built-In mic: it’s an all-in-one creative tool for smoother, smarter shooting. So, to bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code “ULTIMATE”, (available for the first 30 purchases only). Or click here

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Now here’s a really cool event coming up this October that you should not miss! It’s the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in the Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas; this year it’s on Oct. 16-19. The four-day motorcycle event attracts riding enthusiasts to the destination for the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. There are miles of scenic rides along the famous A1A, historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. For more information andto book your plans for Biketoberfest® 2025, visit www.biketoberfest.org

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MV Agusta is a storied Italian brand with a rich racing heritage that makes arguably the most beautiful motorcycles on the planet. Its acquisition a couple of years ago by KTM promised so much. However, the KTM financial troubles at the end of last year upended those plans, and with all the ensuing publicity understandably focusing on KTM, MV Agusta fans have been left wondering what the future may hold for them. So we thought it was worth chatting to Luca Dovesi, CEO of MV Agusta North America, and find out what is really going on. Luca enthusiastically agreed to come on the podcast and he talks to us not just about the current situation, but also the company’s ambitious plans for the future.  

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