CanyonChasers Podcast // The Braking Zone

We dive headfirst into the chaotic waters of the MotoGP rider market and question whether upcoming technical rule changes—specifically the banning of front ride-height devices—are going to completely ruin the opening-lap action we all love.
But first, Dave is packing his bags for a brutal weather forecast in Iceland, where he’ll be riding the highly anticipated Norton Atlas across black sand beaches. This trip serves as the ultimate real-world test for his latest gear configuration, sparking a deep dive into why he’s officially over Gore-Tex waterproofing membranes and what he’s using instead.
We also break down the fallout from the Sachsenring, look at why Trackhouse is out-performing the factory squads, dissect Fabio Di Giannantonio’s Saturday night aero disaster, and look back at the historical design DNA of the original Ducati Multistrada.
Chapters
00:00 – Trident Winner Announced & The Dirtiest Giveaway Bike Ever
01:55 – Heading to Iceland: The Brutal Reality of Video Embargos
08:13 – What is the Norton Atlas? (OG Ducati Multistrada DNA)
11:28 – Why I’m Done With Gore-Tex Gear (Testing Waterproof Membranes)
13:44 – MotoGP Silly Season: The Shocking 2027 Rider Market Chaos
15:27 – Sachsenring Breakdown: Losing the Front & The Tight Title Race
18:38 – Trackhouse Culture vs. Factory Teams
20:05 – VR46’s Saturday Night Aero Disaster: The Diggia Crash Analysis
22:06 – Morbidelli’s Penalty Streak & Alex Marquez to Factory KTM?
25:02 – Gresini’s Epic Retro Movistar Throwback Livery
27:20 – The Moto2 Pirelli Advantage Entering MotoGP
30:18 – Are MotoGP Starts About to Get Boring? (Ride-Height Device Ban)

We are completely all over the map in today’s episode, balancing heavy dose ADHD energy with some deep-dive motorcycle nerdery! First, we unpack the absolute chaos shaking up the MotoGP paddock. From Ai Ogura’s historic, emotional victory as the first Japanese rider to win in the dry in over 20 years , to the mind-boggling news that Pecco Bagnaia turned down a massive $10 million contract with Yamaha to sign a 4-year factory deal with Aprilia. We also look at Jorge Martín's genuine shock over how completely different the Aprilia chassis handles compared to his previous rides , and we debate a wild fan conspiracy theory: Has Yamaha secretly been running an 850cc bike all season?

Beyond the track, we dive deep into the garage. We discuss a hidden factory maintenance rule that mandates replacing your rubber brake lines every four years , and why unique firing orders mean a Ducati Panigale full exhaust system costs up to $8,000 compared to a $4,000 Aprilia setup. Finally, we share exclusive details on the ultra-rare KTM 990 Track bike landing in the US and look to the community to help us pick our next giveaway bike under $10,000!

Timestamps & Chapters
00:00 - Ripping defeat from the jaws of victory & Ai Ogura's emotional, historic win.
01:55 - Deconstructing Bezzecchi’s Assen crash & Aprilia's aerodynamic downforce threshold.
04:49 - A historically tight championship standings & Pedro Acosta’s battle with carpal tunnel.
06:46 - Trackhouse racing's phenomenal 1-2 sprint weekend & Raul Fernandez's contract leverage.
08:59 - Pecco Bagnaia leaves Ducati: Turning down $10M from Yamaha for a 4-year Aprilia seat.
13:16 - Marc Marquez's retirement timeline & Jorge Martín’s mind-blowing first impressions of the Aprilia.
16:32 - Eurosport demo days: Why the upright Aprilia RS660 is outselling the V4 by a massive 5-to-1 ratio.
22:32 - The modern reality of motorcycle reliability vs. the "Big Four" Japanese bias.
26:10 - The 4-year rubber brake line rule & navigating boiled fluid past catalytic converters.
32:43 - The toothbrush trick for cleaning brake calipers & the rebuildable Brembo Mark II master cylinder.
38:43 - Exhaust dyno shootouts: Why full race systems barely change a BMW but unleash a Panigale V4.
44:14 - Firing orders, 70-degree pin offsets, and the manic "machine gun" feel of a KTM V-twin.
51:12 - Factory weapons: The 25 ultra-rare KTM 990 Track bikes coming to the US & Norton's Atlas GT.
54:35 - The BMW GS "SUV of motorcycles" & the conspiracy behind Toprak's 850cc Yamaha test times.
01:01:33 - Help us pick our next under-$10K giveaway bike: RC51, R nineT, or Honda 1000?

Help Us Pick the Next Giveaway Bike!
Our Triumph giveaway didn't lose money, which means we get to do it all over again! We are looking closely at a budget under $10,000. Should we hunt down a tidy BMW R nineT GS , a square-bike classic Honda 1000 with a single-sided swingarm , an Aprilia 660 , or a legendary, clean Honda RC51? Let us know what you want to see in the garage next!

The Triumph Trident 660 giveaway ends on June 26, 2026. Watch now to secure your entry before the clock runs out at midnight. https://fanathem.com/canyonchasers

Ever wonder why a seemingly "easy" corner causes the most dramatic lowsides? In this episode, we break down the exact riding mistake that causes riders to run out of road, why "lazy" corner entries might be ruining your corner entrance, and the quick fix to keep you on two wheels.

We’re also breaking down the massive MotoGP drama at Brno, including the controversial marshal-slapping incident that got a rider banned from the grid, the mind-boggling cornering physics of Pecco Bagnaia vs. Marc Marquez, and an exclusive update on our upcoming adventure bike test in Iceland!

TIMESTAMP CHAPTERS
00:00 - Last Chance to Win the Triumph Trident 660
02:45 - MotoGP Brno: The Bezzecchi Marshal Incident & Grid Penalty
04:00 - Smooth vs. Fistfight: Ai Ogura vs. Jorge Martin Riding Styles
08:20 - Tactical Genius: How Marc Marquez Tracks Pecco Bagnaia
28:00 - The Physics of "Backing It In" & Center of Gravity
31:40 - The Counter-Leaning vs. Visibility Trap on the Street
35:30 - Body Position Fixes: Scooting Back & The "Belly Button Flashlight"
42:45 - Why Everyone Crashes at "Blackrock" Corner
54:02 - Recapping Our Mind-Blowing Interview with Norton CTO Brian Gillam
57:40 - Planning an Epic (and Very Rainy) Adventure Ride in Iceland

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
The "Blackrock" Mistake: Why tight, increasing-radius, banked corners trick riders into turning in too early, eating up their exit space, and causing unnecessary crashes.

The "Belly Button" Trick: A hilarious but highly effective mental cue to instantly fix your body alignment and face your upper torso into the apex.

Stop Being a Passenger: Why track-day riders get lazy with their braking zones and how to actively take charge of the bike to drop your lap times safely.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CanyonChasers

Mastering motorcycle design requires prioritizing the human element. Learn why integrating ergonomics and vehicle dynamics early changes everything. Building a world-class motorcycle from a blank sheet of paper is an audacious goal, mostly because nobody has successfully attempted to do it from scratch in a very long time. Why? Because the engineering isn't just difficult; it’s a high-stakes game of endless compromise where changing one single variable forces you to redesign the entire machine.
In this episode, we sit down with Brian Gillen, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Norton Motorcycles, to unpack the mind-bending reality of modern superbike development. Bringing decades of elite industry R&D experience, Brian pulls back the curtain on everything from vehicle dynamics that closely mimic a fighter jet to the industrial chess match required to resurrect a legendary legacy brand. If you’ve ever wondered why motorcycle design is secretly lightyears ahead of the automotive world, this masterclass with one of the industry's top engineering minds is for you.
The "Airplane" Physics of Two Wheels: Brian breaks down why motorcycles are dynamically far more complex than cars, dealing with shifting contact patches, telescoping forks, pitch, roll, and yaw all at the exact same time.
The Anatomy of Frame Flex: Why traditional Japanese aluminum frames dominate the status quo, and how Norton is experimenting with slender, tube-like spars to change how a bike handles at the limit.
A deep dive into the brutal compromises of engine packaging, throttle body angles, and split-bank technology to optimize torque delivery.
How the historic revival of Norton Motorcycles is being fueled by TVS’s massive industrial might, giving Brian's engineering team the leverage to compete with OEMs that have a 50-year head start.

Timestamps:
00:00 - The Overlooked Element in Motorcycle Design
14:40 - The Problem with Modern Hyperbikes on the Street
21:00 - Why Norton Chose a 72-Degree V4 Engine Architecture
29:35 - Smart Manufacturing: Milling Down Pre-Assembled Castings
40:15 - Weight Distribution, Fork Profiles, and Braking Forces
50:25 - Split-Bank Throttle Bodies & Frame Flex Secrets
54:10 - Resurrecting Norton: The Power of 15,000 Bikes a Day

#MotorcycleDesign #SuperbikeEngineering #NortonMotorcycles #BrianGillen #V4Engine #MotoTech #VehicleDynamics
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CanyonChasers

Is MotoGP rider behavior costing the team? We start with 2026 Balaton Park MotoGP race, dissecting Jorge Martín's explosive Turn 1 "bowling ball" crash and the track design flaws that caused it. We celebrate Marc Marquez’s historic 100th Grand Prix win and marvel at Pedro Acosta's heroic flat-tracking style on the KTM. Ultimately, this analysis focuses on the reality of professional racing conduct and the expectations placed on top-tier athletes. Seeing how these outbursts affect long-term brand reputation provides a clearer picture of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of MotoGP controversy.

Then, we transition to an ultimate motorcycle safety gear masterclass, answering a burning community question: Do you really need top-shelf, ultra-expensive track gear for everyday street riding? We rank the most critical gear pieces based on real injury data, expose dangerous online counterfeits, and debate the physical and psychological reality of riding with electronic motorcycle airbag vests.

Finally, we reveal an exciting insider update about our unexpected [possible] cameo in the upcoming Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum Isle of Man movie, alongside the bizarre Formula 1 aerodynamic glitch that canceled the sidecar races this year.

00:00 - MotoGP Balaton Park: Jorge Martín's Turn 1 Crash
03:18 - Ban the Holeshot Device? MotoGP Regulation Changes
03:56 - Track Design Flaws: Why Chicanes Are Causing Major Crashes
08:06 - New MotoGP Starting Grid Rules & Spacing Disadvantages
09:14 - Pedro Acosta vs. Marc Marquez: Corner Dynamics & Mutual Respect
14:03 - Marc Marquez’s 100th GP Win & Old Man Celebrations
16:42 - Motorcycle Gear Masterclass: Track Kit vs. Cheap Alternatives
21:00 - Helmet Safety Standards, Comfort, and Carbon Fiber Realities
23:26 - The Permanent Injury Ranking Study: Why Gloves Are Priority #2
29:01 - Foot Injury Data & The Evolution of Protective Riding Boots
32:48 - Alpinestars SM-Series vs. $650 Super Tech Track Boots
39:27 - Choosing the Right Riding Jacket: Climate Control & Microclimates
41:56 - From Catcher Pads to Non-Newtonian Armor: Impact Protection
49:57 - Leather vs. Textile: The Truth About "One-Hit Wonder" Gear
53:48 - Riding Pants & The Carhartt Double-Front Safety Hack
55:56 - Electronic Airbag Vests: Why You Feel "Naked" Without One
01:01:51 - How to Score Gear Deals Safely & Avoid Counterfeit Armor
01:03:15 - Don't Be That Guy: Support Your Local Bike Shop & Fit Helments Right
01:04:58 - Hollywood Exclusive: Our Logo Cameo in the New Isle of Man TT Movie!
01:07:21 - Why F1 Aero Underbody Diffusers Canceled the Sidecar Races
01:11:54 - Triumph Trident 660 Giveaway Progress & Outro