Phil West

The Ultimate Motorcycling Podcast is brought to you by Yamaha.

Discover the thrill of the open road with the 2025 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.  

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I’m sure you’ve heard of Insta360, a leader in 360-degree action camera technology. Their latest just-launched 360-degree camera, Insta360 X5, shoots in ALL directions at once…and it does it in incredible 8K30 hi-resolution. This will give you epic motorcycling shots without even aiming the camera. Just hit record… focus on your ride… and then find the best angles in the edit using Insta360’s mobile app. It’s easy, smooth, and packed with AI tools for a faster workflow! X5 is every camera you’ll need in one … you can see more of your bars with an immersive POV, or you can film unique, third-person shots of you and your bike. From morning rallies to night rides, X5’s huge sensors, triple AI chip, and dedicated low-light shooting mode, deliver unmatched detail and image quality …around the clock! It’s waterproof, reliable, and features Insta360’s toughest-ever lenses and lens guards. And by the way, both of those are completely replaceable, so you can ride with confidence.

To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your Insta360 X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code “ULTIMATE”, available for the first 30 purchases only.

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This is a big year for the Harley-Davidson Softails, as they’re brought into the 21st century with a comprehensive electronics package, a bigger motor, revised suspension, and a few more goodies. It’s even bigger for the Fat Boy, as this is the 35th anniversary of the chubby-tired custom inspired by the 1949 Hydra-Glide. Literally reflecting that milestone is the chrome-drenched 2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost, which is the newest member of the Icons Collection,  and it makes a statement like no other. Don Williams rode the Gray Ghost extensively and gives us his thoughts not just on the exquisite looks, but also on how the Fat Boy actually rides.

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The Snippet this episode is brought to you by Schuberth. In response to the market’s growing demand for advanced connectivity, SCHUBERTH renewed its partnership with Cardo Systems® with the introduction of the SCHUBERTH SC EDGE based on the appreciated PACKTALK EDGE. As connectivity becomes increasingly relevant for modern motorcyclists, SC EDGE empowers riders to communicate effortlessly, enjoy their favorite music, and receive GPS directions – all while keeping their hands safely on the handlebars. Jonathan Handler gives us some insight into the new communicators that simply snap into most of the new Schuberth helmets that have been already prewired and are ready to accept the unit.

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In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with motorcycle adventurer “Itchy Boots”. Noraly Schoenmaker is an astonishing young woman who travels to incredible—and sometimes dangerous—destinations on her Yamaha Tenere. Since 2018, Noraly has ridden over 175,000 kilometers through more than 70 countries, documenting her adventures on her YouTube channel, which boasts over 2.7 million subscribers. Her engaging storytelling, fearless spirit, and love for exploring diverse cultures and landscapes inspire countless fans to embrace adventure and independence. Noraly’s new book published by Atria Books is out in a couple of weeks on July 3rd. “Free Ride” is her story of heartbreak, courage, and the 20,000-mile motorcycle journey that changed her life. When the books is out you will be able to find at good bookstores and also purchased on Amazon.   

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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!

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 producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com