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S11E01: The Best (and Worst) of EICMA 2025

S11E01: The Best (and Worst) of EICMA 2025

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About this episode

Season 11 kicks off with a discussion about the latest from EICMA 2025, featuring guest Lance Oliver. The hosts cover exciting new models like the Suzuki SV7 GX and BMW F450 GS, while also addressing the impact of AI in marketing. They reflect on the significance of motorcycle shows and the evolving landscape of the industry, including the challenges faced by brands like Harley-Davidson and Indian. The episode wraps up with a fun engine sound guessing game and advice for a listener contemplating their first motorcycle purchase.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

BMW F 450 GS

"One of the things that struck my fancy was, you know, BMW did finally launch the F 450 GS. Now, for those of you that are saying, well, hey, wait a second, you know, BMW actually announced this last year at EICMA."

The BMW F 450 GS is a new motorcycle that will be available in 2027. It's designed for adventure riding, which means it's good for both on-road and off-road travel.

Car

Triumph Speed Triple

"...about the adventures that you can find on a motorcycle. And I come to learn years later that Lance actually wrote that article, published it in Rider Magazine..."

The Triumph Speed Triple is a type of motorcycle that is known for being fast and easy to handle. Many people enjoy riding it because it looks cool and performs well.

Brand

Suzuki

"Well, I thought I'd start out with a motorcycle that I think personally is very interesting and also was a little bit surprising to me. And that's the Suzuki SV7 GX, which, you know, a few years"

Suzuki is a car and motorcycle manufacturer from Japan. They make various vehicles that are often seen as budget-friendly and dependable.

Car

Suzuki SV650

"...the writing was on the wall for the SV650, which podcast listeners will remember was one of the iconic motorcycles..."

The Suzuki SV650 is a well-liked motorcycle that many people enjoy riding. It's known for being easy to handle and has a powerful engine that makes it fun to ride.

Part

bi-directional quick shifter

"...it's got...a bi-directional quick shifter. They made some changes to the engine..."

A bi-directional quick shifter is a feature on some motorcycles that lets you change gears quickly without using the clutch. This makes riding smoother and faster.

Term

parallel twin

"...because they do have that parallel twin right now, which is really playing in the same category..."

A parallel twin engine has two cylinders placed next to each other. It's commonly found in motorcycles and is appreciated for being smooth and compact.

Term

V-twin

"...just for the nostalgia of people that like the idea of a V-twin still. Yeah. I think some of us..."

A V-twin engine has two cylinders that are shaped like a 'V'. It's often used in motorcycles and is known for its unique sound and power delivery.

Car

Ford F450

"...ture world. You know, BMW did finally launch the F450 GS. Now, for those of you that are saying, well, ..."

The Ford F-450 is a big truck made for carrying heavy things and towing trailers. It's built to be really strong and is often used by people who need to do tough jobs or go on big adventures.

Brand

BMW

"...this is, you know, using a lot of the technology that BMW has become known for. And it's just in a, it's just in a smaller package at this point..."

BMW is a well-known car brand from Germany that makes sporty and luxury cars. They are famous for using advanced technology in their vehicles.

Car

BMW R1300RT

"...when they introduced the R1300RT. And, you know, nothing, nothing has changed as far as that goes when it comes time..."

The BMW R1300RT is a type of motorcycle designed for long rides. It's comfortable and has features that help make long trips easier and more enjoyable.

Car

Yamaha WR 125R

"...some of the smaller and less expensive motorcycles are getting sort of the trickle down technology to give you a few examples. One that I thought was really interesting is Yamaha's come out new for 2026 is a WR 125R, which is a small lightweight dual sport motorcycle. Nothing unusual there so far,..."

The Yamaha WR 125R is a small motorcycle that can be used on both regular roads and dirt paths. It's light and easy to handle, making it a good choice for beginners.

Term

variable valve actuation

"but it actually has variable valve actuation. So I don't know. I was trying to think I'm probably missing something, but I don't know of another motorcycle with a 125 CC engine that's small"

Variable valve actuation helps an engine perform better by changing how the valves open and close. This means the engine can be more powerful at high speeds and more efficient at low speeds.

Term

MSRP

"and especially also with a 3999 MSRP that has variable valve timing. I think that's a genuine expansion of that technology to more accessible."

MSRP is the price that the car manufacturer thinks you should pay for a vehicle. It's like a starting point, but the actual price you pay can be different depending on where you buy it.

Term

cam profiles

"basically what that means is the engine has two different cam profiles for the intake valves and it can use one at low RPM and another one at high RPM."

Cam profiles are the shapes of the parts in an engine that open and close the valves. Different shapes can help the engine work better at different speeds.

Term

RPM

"you don't have to choose, well, do we want to make it optimized for high RPM use or do we want to make it optimized for low RPM use? You can have a little bit of both."

RPM tells you how fast the engine is spinning. Higher RPM means the engine is working harder and can produce more power.

Term

power spread

"So you get a broader spread of power, which is obviously more important when you have a small engine like a 125, like in this"

Power spread is how much power an engine can give you at different speeds. A wider power spread means the engine can perform well whether you're going slow or fast.

Term

variable valve timing

"...not a surprise to find variable valve timing on a $31,000 motorcycle. It's a little bit of a surprise to me to find it on a $4,000 motorcycle and I'm really happy to see that..."

Variable valve timing is a system in engines that helps control how the engine breathes. It adjusts when the valves open and close, which can make the engine run better and use less fuel.

Car

BMW G310 GS

"...the G310 GS looking at this one, it has so many more features that have trickled down from the bigger, more expensive bikes on the in the BMW line, whereas the G310 had ABS and that's about it as far as rider aids..."

The BMW G310 GS is a smaller, more affordable adventure motorcycle that is good for beginners. It has basic safety features like ABS to help prevent wheel lock-up during braking.

Term

TFT display

"...this new 450 has a full color six and a half inch TFT display. It's got ride modes. It's got traction control..."

A TFT display is a modern type of screen that shows important information on motorcycles. It's bright and clear, making it easy to read while riding.

Term

traction control

"...It's got ride modes. It's got traction control. It's got the centrifugal clutch, but also the manual clutch you can use..."

Traction control is a system that helps keep the wheels of a motorcycle from spinning too much when you accelerate. It helps you stay in control, especially on slippery roads.

Term

centrifugal clutch

"Is the centrifugal clutch their version of the auto, like the automatic? It's not exactly the same, but basically you can come to a stop. It won't stall out."

A centrifugal clutch helps prevent the engine from stalling when you stop, making it easier to ride without having to constantly use the clutch lever.

Car

Aprilia RS457

"Another example, the Aprilia RS457 GP replica, which is a new model they're coming out with. It's their RS457 sport bike, but they made it to look like their MotoGP bike, but they fit it in standard with a quick shifter."

The Aprilia RS457 is a new motorcycle that looks like a race bike used in MotoGP, and it has features that help you change gears quickly without using the clutch.

Term

turbo lag

"...I don't like turbos because turbo lag is still a problem and in the automotive industry we've gotten away from some turbo lag..."

Turbo lag is the wait you feel when you press the gas pedal and the car doesn't respond immediately. It happens because the turbocharger takes a moment to start working and give the car more power.

Car

NC700

"...they gave us you know recently like an NC 700 that has acclaimed like 70 miles per gallon..."

The Honda NC700 is a motorcycle that is designed to be very fuel-efficient, meaning it can travel a long distance on just a little gas.

Car

Honda That Honda

"...da comes up with this stuff. So like I'm excited that Honda is bringing something like this back and I hope t..."

The Honda That's is a small car that was made in Japan and is designed to be easy to drive and park in the city. It's known for being practical and fuel-efficient, which makes it a good choice for everyday use.

Term

V3R900 E compressor

"...what this V3R900 E compressor prototype sounds like because Honda did release that with the unveiling of the prototype at Aikmah..."

The V3R900 E compressor is a special part made by Honda that helps engines produce more power. It's still in the testing phase, so it's not available in cars yet.

Term

V4 engine

"...we can build a 210 horsepower V4 superbike that weighs 400 pounds or whatever it does..."

A V4 engine has four cylinders that are arranged in a V shape. This design helps the engine be smaller and lighter while still producing a lot of power.

Car

Royal Enfield Bullet

"...they put the 650 cc twin engine in the bullet..."

The Royal Enfield Bullet is a well-known motorcycle that has been around for a long time. It's famous for its classic look and powerful engine, making it popular among riders.

Company

CF Moto

"...to realize like CF Moto has just been you know a brand for so long and while they've you know it's been slow to bring the motorcycle market to North America..."

CF Moto is a company that makes motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. They have been selling their products in North America for about 25 years and are known for their powerful bikes.

Term

V4 motorcycle

"...to be able to see them bring a 210 horsepower V4 motorcycle to market..."

A V4 motorcycle has an engine with four cylinders that are arranged in a V shape. This setup helps the bike be powerful and run smoothly, which is great for performance.

Car

Hudson Hornet

"...F is a retro model it's based on the Honda CB1000 Hornet which I got a chance to ride earlier this summer..."

The Hudson Hornet is an old car that was made in the early 1950s and is known for being fast and stylish. It was popular in car races back then and is now considered a classic that many people admire.

Brand

Harley Davidson

"...when is Harley Davidson going to come out with their new sprint model which is going to be their new accessible affordable motorcycle..."

Harley Davidson is a famous brand that makes motorcycles, particularly known for their large, powerful bikes that are popular among riders.

Car

Scrambler 400X

"...I'm planning to get a scrambler 400x I saw the ctxp episode..."

The Scrambler 400X is a motorcycle made by Ducati that looks vintage but has modern technology. It's good for riding on different types of roads, including rough ones.

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