Cycle World Podcast

Cycle World

Join Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer for the weekly Cycle World podcast for lively conversations about motorcycles and the people who build and ride them. Cameron’s legendary knowledge and ability to describe highly technical subjects in ways that are easy to understand allies with Hoyer’s massive testing background and hands-on work in the CW garage.

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129 episodes
Updated July 1

Episodes129

Newest first

Dec 11, 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
GRAND PRIX GLORY: MV Agusta in World Championship racing from 1950s to the rise of the two-stroke!
MV Agusta four-stroke Grand Prix racers howling through their megaphone exhausts are legendary! Cycle World's Kevin Cameron and Mark Hoyer talk about MV from its first little modest little machine built in post-World War II Italy to world-dominating racing motorcycles that continued to compete into the 1970s. Sometimes slow to change and other times rapidly updating designs to stay competitive with upstart Honda's amazing multis of the 1960s, MV was a dominant force in GP racing until two-strokes took over in the world championship. Looking to buy? Get prequalifiedhttps://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Dec 4, 2024 · 57 min
The LONG, STRANGE trip for the American Sportbike: All about BUELL!
Rim brakes, under-engine exhausts, extreme frame geometry, Harley-Davidson engines—so much has happened with Erik Buell and the motorcycles he's made, from Buells and its closure by Harley-Davidson in 2009 to reborn EBR and its partnership with Hero Motorcycles only to close again. Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer talk about Erik Buell the AMA Expert road racer in the 1970s and his move to build his own two-stroke Formula 750 race bike to take on the mighty Yamaha TZ750 in the 1980s and all the way up to the present day. Buell is responsible for real innovations and ultimately built an American sportbike competitive with the world's best. Looking to buy? Get prequalified https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Nov 27, 2024 · 1 hr 9 min
STOP! All about BRAKES
The remarkable evolution of slowing down: No brakes to rim brakes to drum brakes to discs, we convert the energy of movement into heat to slow down. But there is so much detail to discuss! Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer talk about braking in detail. Looking to buy? Get prequalified https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Nov 20, 2024 · 1 hr 8 min
How the TWO-STROKE EXPANSION CHAMBER WORKS and Where It Came From (call it Acoustic Supercharging)
Kevin Cameron starts from the beginning of two-stroke exhaust expansion chamber development in the 1950s to the present. What were its origins and how did it explode power output in these simple, lightweight engines? How did we go from 8-hp single-cylinder commuters to 200-hp 500cc Grand Prix four-cylinders? Kevin knows, and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer rides along with him. Looking to buy? Get prequalified https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Nov 13, 2024 · 51 min
WHY Did Honda use an ELECTRIC SUPERCHARGER on its V3 Concept internal combustion MOTORCYCLE?
Honda blew minds with the V3 Concept that uses an electric supercharger to boost intake pressure. Why an electric supercharger? Why a V-3 layout? How much power could it make? How much electric power would the supercharger use? How could perfectly constant boost or instantly variable boost be used to improve the riding experience? So many questions about this incredibly interesting concept—AND Honda says it is headed for production. Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer talk about the many possibilities and try to answer all the questions. Kevin even dons a virtual wizard hat... Looking to buy? Get prequalified https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Nov 6, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
EVERYTHING about Honda's DOMINATING RS750 FLAT TRACK RACER of the 1980s
Honda decided to go dirt track racing in the 1980s and it wasn't long before it was winning—a lot! Technical Editor Kevin Cameron was the AMA observer at the resulting dyno tests as restrictor plates were tested to restore "parity" with the XR-750 and he followed the development of the Honda flat track racer from the early "sideways CX500" to the proper built-from-scratch RS750. Of course there is a lot about the Indian FTR750 and Harley-Davidson XR-750 as well, plus we discuss perhaps the most talented dirt tracker who every raced, so swing a leg over and ride with Kevin and Mark on the Cycle World Podcast. Looking to buy? Get prequalified https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Oct 30, 2024 · 1 hr 10 min
What is HANDLING? I know it when I feel it... Are there magic numbers that make a bike steer great?
What do Rake, Trail, Wheelbase and Offset mean for your motorcycle and how it turns, stops, accelerates? Are there magic numbers that result in "good" handling? What is good handling anyway? Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer talk about motorcycle handling and the fundamental improvements that have made new bikes so good.
Oct 23, 2024 · 1 hr 11 min
Biggest motorcycle race of the year?! King Kenny Rides again at the AMAZING BARBER VINTAGE FESTIVAL!
Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief visited Barber Vintage Festival and watched Kenny Roberts ride his world championship winning 0W48 Yamaha on some epic (and great smelling!) demonstration laps. The guys talk about Yamaha two-stroke tech, Hoyer vintage raced a 1972 BMW (and won!), the amazing Barber Museum and so much more about this epic motorcycle cultural event. There were 500 vendors at the swapmeet and the "bike show" put on by attendees just riding around the ring road was mind boggling.
Oct 17, 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
FAVORITE TOOLS: The most INTERESTING and USEFUL tools in our shop!
Weird, wonderful, precise, strange, or brutal, these tools shared by Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Mark Hoyer make working on motorcycles easier, more repeatable and more fun. How many do you own? How many have you heard of? Thanks for watching! Shopping for a motorcycle? Get a no-impact credit check and find out about your pre-approved buying power now: https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Oct 9, 2024 · 1 hr 11 min
STILL SMOKING! Yamaha’s RD350 Giant KILLER two-stroke of the 1970s
How many Yamaha RD350 crankshafts has Kevin Cameron rebuilt? How many cylinders ported? KC and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer talk about Yamaha’s sporty and quick two-stroke twin, from its origins in the 1960s all the way to the RZ350 of 1985. Hoyer’s first streetbike was a 1979 RD400 Daytona Special—lots to cover. Breathe deep!
Oct 2, 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
The (TWO)-STROKE of Genius: HONDA NSR500, BIG BANG, SCREAMER, the ultimate Grand Prix Bike.
The Honda NS500 and NSR500 two-stroke four-cylinder grand prix bikes were hotbeds of innovation and showed exceptional dominance in the hands of genius riders such as Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson and, particularly, Mick Doohan, winner of FIVE consecutive world championships in the 1990s. Technical Editor Kevin Cameron has deeply studied the NSR500 and it shows in this podcast—he knows a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff, but two-stroke GP bikes are a strong suit! Listen to him and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer discuss the NSR500, screamer vs. big bang, water injection and lots of other trickery that helped the bike dominate the final seasons of two-stroke GP racing.
Sep 25, 2024 · 54 min
OUTLAWED! The WHOLE story behind the Indian FTR750 flat-track racer.
75 percent Win Rate! From the first FTR750 engine to the final legal season for the bike and 8 championships, Cycle World was there. Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer talk about the origin and development of the motorcycle that dominated American Flat Track since its introductory 2017 season. There is, of course, a deep tech dive, plus all the extras you’ve come to expect! Shopping for a motorcycle? Get pre-approved for that R 1300 GS you always wanted: https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Sep 18, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
What's up with SYNTHETIC fuels, ETHANOL and MOTORCYCLES?! (ENERGY STORAGE)
Gasoline has a lotta BANG per pound, making it pretty ideal fuel for the motorcycles we love. Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer discuss the future of petroleum fuels, synthetic fuels, ethanol and more, plus electric battery storage and the prospects there for motorcycling. Much to cover! Kevin says, "Pounds per horsepower hour," "light molecules" and "heavy sluggish molecules...AND we discuss the 300,000-400,000 pounds of jet fuel an airliner has on takeoff—but not on landing! Shopping for a motorcycle? Get pre-approved for the motorcycle you've always wanted: https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Sep 11, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
THE FIRST ADVENTURE BIKE: Where'd the Legendary BMW GS come from and where's it going?
Can you imagine a motorcycle universe without the Adventure Bike? But before the 1980 BMW R 80 G/S (Gelände/Strasse) there really wasn't such a thing. Now ADVs have spawned an entire culture of two-wheel adventuring. Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer talk about the origins of the BMW GS and its evolution to the new R 1300 GS. Join us on our hour-long adventure! Shopping for a motorcycle? Get pre-approved for that R 1300 GS you always wanted: https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171 Photo by Jeff Allen/Cycle World
Sep 4, 2024 · 1 hr 13 min
JUST HOT ENOUGH! Combustion heat to tire heat to radiators, oil cooling and more: Heat Management!
So much of great-working motorcycle comes down to precise heat management of the engine, tires, gears, brakes, and more. Technical Editor Kevin Cameron takes a deep dive with Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer on the many effects of heat and the cascading influence it has on overall motorcycle performance. Shopping for a motorcycle? Get pre-approved for you dream bike: https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171
Aug 29, 2024 · 1 hr 13 min
The DIRT TRACKER that WOULDN'T DIE: Harley-Davidson XR-750 introduced 50 years ago (Still Can Win)
Get pre approved on a motorcycle here - https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171 Almost as old as dirt, the Harley-Davidson XR-750 flat-track race bike was introduced in 1970 and the design has endured to this day. Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer dive into the origins of the XR-750, its evolution, and how it is still capable of winning national races five decades later. They'll also cover the universality of dirt.
Aug 21, 2024 · 59 min
What is V-SQUARED damping and how YOUR SUSPENSION really WORKS!
Get Pre Approved on a Motorcycle Here: https://octane.co/flex/1?a=171 The joke goes, "The only way to get suspension to work in the 1970s was to not let it!" We've come a long way, and that was the beginning of the suspension revolution that brings us to today's generally great components and all the world-class stuff going on in racing. Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer and Technical Editor Kevin Cameron start with the basic forces at work including what's called V-squared damping (say "ouch!") move to friction dampers and damper rods, and finally get up to the beautiful and easy-to-work on high-performance cartridge dampers on the best bikes of today. And the side stories are almost half the fun. Ride with us!
Aug 14, 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
The WEIRDNESS of METALS is what makes them so GREAT—MELTY, MALLEABLE, M-AWESOME
Metals are absolutely key to our good times on two wheels. Steel, Aluminum, Chromium, Nickel, Copper, Brass, Magnesium ("electrified dirt") and all the alloys make up our most loved form of transportation and good times. As ever, CW Technical Editor Kevin Cameron knows a lot of key details which he shares with Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer and the rest of us. Thank you for all the support of the podcast and please let us know in comments what you like and what you don't—but leave Hoyer's headphones out of it... :)
Aug 9, 2024 · 1 hr 13 min
VALVE FLOAT! Mysteries of cam profiles! The intricacy of CONTROLLING VALVES in engines!
What are opening and closing ramps on a camshaft profile and why are they so important? Why do we use nested or beehive valve springs? When is it best to use pushrod valve actuation or DOHC shim-under-bucket tappets or finger followers? Should we drive cams with gears, chains, or belts? Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer (but mostly Kevin...) talk about the intricate details of opening and closing valves and different types of drive systems.
Jul 31, 2024 · 57 min
KTM's massive TRANSFORMATION from QUIRKY dirt bike maker to GLOBAL MOBILITY company
A long-time US KTM employee described in the early days when the head of the company mortgaged his house to buy some box vans. Contrast this to KTM's American HQ opened in 2023 that cost $53 million and racing on the world stage from hard enduro to MotoGP. Yes, a lot has changed for KTM, once the builder of quirky dirt bikes but now making every kind of motorcycle with an obsession for high-performance and light weight, and growing across brands that include Husqvarna, GasGas, MV Agusta, and ebikes under the Pierer Mobility umbrella. Where did KTM come from and where is it going? Listen to take the ride with Kevin Cameron and Mark Hoyer.