Yamaha MT-09 SP + King Kenny Roberts

Welcome the Motos and Friends Podcast from Ultimate Motorcycling, brought to you by Yamaha.

Introducing the Yamaha MT-09, the ultimate Hyper Naked experience. With its aggressive styling, powerful CP3 engine, and advanced technology, the MT-09 is ready to dominate the streets. Feel the raw power of the MT-09's 890cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine. Delivering thrilling torque and exceptional fuel efficiency, this machine is built for performance. Experience the future of Hyper Naked technology with the MT-09's five-inch full-color TFT display and intuitive switchgear. Customize your ride with four different display themes and navigate effortlessly through the controls. The MT-09 is more than just a motorcycle; it's a statement. With its aggressive styling and unmatched performance, it's ready to turn heads and dominate the streets. Discover the MT-09. Learn more at YamahaMotorsports.com

In this week’s first segment, Nic de Sena tells us all about the new Yamaha MT-09 SP. The SP comes hot on the heels of the standard MT-09 update earlier this year, with three key upgrades: top-shelf KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, and some interesting racetrack-inspired electronics.

Interestingly, the MT-09 SP has now been joined by the long-awaited 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9. Revealed just last week, the track-only R9 is the larger sibling to the R7. It’s got the same excellent triple-cylinder CP3 engine as the MT-09, yet the R9 is a full supersport machine that’s positioned to go up against the other machines in the class. It’ll be interesting to see how it fares, and as soon as we’ve had a chance to ride it, we’ll let you know!

Capture the magic of life on two wheels with Insta360 X4, the most popular camera for motorcyclists today! Shoot full 360-degree video in 8K resolution, then choose any angle you want after your ride. It's incredible! From immersive POVs to unique, third-person shots of you and your bike, X4 does it all. You'll get over 2 hours run time at 5.7K or plug it into your bike's USB port and go all day. It's totally waterproof, tough as nails, and incredibly easy to use. It even doubles as a dash cam! To bag a free Motorcycle Kit plus selfie stick worth $99 with any X4 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code MOTOSANDFRIENDS, available for the first 30 purchases only.

In our second segment I chat with motorcycle racing royalty, 3-time 500cc World Champion ‘King’ Kenny Roberts. Both Kenny and his son’s world championship winning motorcycles—as well as one of Team KR’s Proton MotoGP racebikes and all their memorabilia—is now all a permanent part of the Barber Motorsports Museum Collection. 

I sat down with Kenny at the recent Barber Vintage Festival, and he talks to me in his frank and funny style about almost everything. Why the bike now on display (his 1980 Grand Prix race-winning Yamaha YZR500) is his favorite race bike; what drove him to such extraordinary achievements; and what it was like to ride—and win—on the fearsome Yamaha TZ750 2-stroke dirt tracker that one time at the Indy Mile. Kenny candidly tells me what’s different about the modern era race bikes compared to his era; why he wouldn’t hire legend Max Biaggi to ride his KR MotoGP bike; what he thought of his fearsome rival Barry Sheene, and of course, with a twinkle in his eye—why he likes English women. It’s a fascinating insight into one of the truly greatest motorcycle racers of all time.

So, without further ado, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we really think you’re going to enjoy this episode!

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