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Vance Strader has been shaping the motorcycle world for decades. He began his career at Buell, working on performance-driven machines that pushed the limits of design and engineering. At Harley-Davidson, he rose to Chief Engineer, driving innovation at one of the most legendary brands in motorcycling. His journey then led him to become Chief Technical Officer of LiveWire, where he guided the creation of Harley’s first electric motorcycles and helped launch LiveWire as a standalone EV brand. With a career that bridges iconic heritage and groundbreaking innovation, Vance brings a wealth of industry experience, valuable insight, and his own perspective on what the future of motorcycling holds. Vance drops some exclusive behind-the-scenes stories that you don't want to miss.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Vance Strader and the One Gang Worldwide Podcast
01:20 Vance Strader's Early Life and First Motorcycle Experiences
04:51 Innovative Engineering at Team Losi
10:19 Joining Buell: Challenges and Innovations
16:17 The Birth of the XB Platform
21:49 Harley-Davidson and the Economic Meltdown
23:36 Eric Buell Racing and Post-Harley Ventures
27:03 Transition to Harley-Davidson Corporate
32:22 Developing Harley's First Electric Motorcycle
45:33 Building Harley's Engineering Systems Group
48:20 Designing the Pan America and Middleweight Platforms
55:15 The Decision to Enter the Adventure Bike Market
55:51 The Decision to Enter a New Market
56:19 Sponsor Break: Butt Buffer
57:19 Pan America's Market Performance
58:21 Silicon Valley Livewire Labs
01:02:38 Challenges in EV Development
01:08:13 Spinning Off Livewire from Harley
01:11:05 Hiring and Leadership Insights
01:14:10 Balancing Performance, Cost, and Scalability
01:19:14 Reflecting on a Career at Harley
01:24:26 Future of Two-Wheel Innovation
01:33:40 Speed Round: Fun and Personal Questions
01:40:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Vance:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vstrader

Check Out Our Sponsors:
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Connect with Cycles Worldwide:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9f5Fx7tVs67xgemZUFphaw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551644038136
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclesworldwidellc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergey-tokman-2a78a6284/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cycles.worldwide

#VanceStrader #MotorcycleInnovation #BuellMotorcycles #HarleyDavidson #LiveWire #MotorcycleCulture #TwoWheels #EVMotorcycles #MotorcycleCommunity #RideTheFuture #MotorcycleLife #PerformanceEngineering #MotorcycleIndustry #MotorcycleLeadership

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We hear the adventures of John Wilton, also known as Tango Pasty, rider, storyteller, tour leader, and author.

John is the founder of Moto Ventura Tours, guiding riders through unforgettable motorcycle adventures across the globe. He’s also the author of Groovers on the Maneuvers, where he documents the spirit of motorcycling through gripping stories from the road.

We talk about what it means to live a life of adventure, why motorcycles are the ultimate cultural bridge, and the lessons he’s learned from a life spent traveling and writing.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction – Meet John Wilton (Tango Pastie)
4:25 Life in the Royal Navy
6:45 Writing “Groovers on the Maneuvers”
8:35 Transition to Law Enforcement
11:45 Family Motorcycle History
13:20 Getting Back Into Motorcycles After the Navy
15:00 Police Bikes & Riding Stories
19:30 Chasing Shadows – The Biker Mindset
24:00 Creating Content & Telling Stories
26:00 Early Motorcycle Videos & Humor
28:00 Developing the Tango Pastie Persona
32:00 Humor, Monty Python, and Coping with Life
34:00 European Motorcycle Adventures & Shenanigans
36:00 The 50 Med Kits Ride to Ukraine
38:00 Reflections on Ukraine & World Events
40:00 Starting Moto Ventura Tours
42:00 Building a Motorcycle Tour Business
44:00 Tour Stories – Lichtenstein & Switzerland
48:00 Industry Changes & The State of Motorcycling
50:00 Supporting Small Businesses & Community
52:00 What’s Next for John – Upcoming Tours & YouTube
54:00 Speed Round – Rapid Fire Questions
56:00 Final Thoughts & Where to Find John Online

Connect with Espinoza's Leather:
Website: https://espinozasleather.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espinozasleather
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/espinozasleather

Check Out Our Sponsors:
LeatherUp - Use Code "CW20" at checkout for 20% off! : https://www.leatherup.com/
Butt Buffer: https://buttbuffer.com/

Connect with Cycles Worldwide:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9f5Fx7tVs67xgemZUFphaw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551644038136
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclesworldwidellc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergey-tokman-2a78a6284/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cycles.worldwide

#JohnWilton #TangoPasty #MotoVenturaTours #GrooversOnTheManeuvers #MotorcyclePodcast #OneGangWorldwide #CyclesWorldwide #MotorcycleTravel #AdventureMotorcycling #MotorcycleCulture

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Legacy in Leather – The Espinoza’s Story w/ Eric Espinoza

From a small workshop in Rosemead to becoming a legendary name in American motorcycle culture, Eric Espinoza, takes us inside the story of Espinoza’s Leather.

Eric shares how his father, Gilbert Espinoza, a first-generation craftsman with nothing but a sewing machine, a relentless work ethic, and a dream, founded the company back in 1971.

What started as handmade jackets stitched in a garage exploded into one of the most iconic family-owned leather brands in California and now the world.

This one is more than a small American business story, it’s about family, identity, and continuing to build something real that lasts in a tough and ever changing motorcycle culture.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro - Meet Eric Espinoza of Espinoza's Leather
01:55 Breaking the Ice - Quick Fire Questions
07:18 Sponsor Break - Leather Up
08:42 Early Days - Growing Up in the Family Business
16:55 Keeping it Old School - Craftsmanship and Values
24:29 The Mayans MC Connection
36:26 Evolution of Biker Gear and Fashion
38:02 Sponsor Break - Butt Buffer
46:08 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
52:42 Future Plans and Celebrity Clients

Connect with Espinoza's Leather:
Website: https://espinozasleather.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espinozasleather
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/espinozasleather

Check Out Our Sponsors:
LeatherUp - Use Code "CW20" at checkout for 20% off! : https://www.leatherup.com/
Butt Buffer: https://buttbuffer.com/

Connect with Cycles Worldwide:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more episodes:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9f5Fx7tVs67xgemZUFphaw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551644038136
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclesworldwidellc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergey-tokman-2a78a6284/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cycles.worldwide

#EricEspinoza #EspinozasLeather #MotorcyclePodcast #OneGangWorldwide #CyclesWorldwide #MotorcycleGear #MotorcycleApparel #CustomLeather #MotorcycleCulture