Ryan Nolan

A Day at Blackhawk with the Yamaha R9

Posted by Ryan Nolan | Dec 8, 2025 | Bikes & Gear |

As I started my first flying lap, braking into T1 I immediately felt at home, the braking power was strong and predictable and I had a good feel with the front tire as I dove into the turn. The handling was light and flickable just as I remembered from my first ride. Having the power band smoothed out allowed me to keep up my corner speed and get the power down as I exited each corner. After another lap I had clicked off an 1:18 without really pushing, so I knew I had a lot left in the tank. Beginning my next couple of laps I started to catch traffic so slowed up a little and decided to dive into the pit lane to try and get some clear track.

First Ride: 2025 Yamaha R9

Posted by Ryan Nolan | Mar 19, 2025 | Bikes & Gear |

Fast forward a few months and I happily found myself packing my track gear and jumping on a plane for sunny Sonoma, California for the official Yamaha R9 press event at Sonoma Raceway. With such anticipation and hype around the bike over the years and having recently watched the bike debut in World Supersport with a win, I was extremely excited for the opportunity to be one of the first people stateside to throw a leg over the bike.

2024 Yamaha MT-09 SP: Taming the Dragon

Posted by Ryan Nolan | Sep 3, 2024 | Bikes & Gear, Rides & Roads |

I was recently in beautiful east Tennessee for the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 SP press launch. As many of you may have seen, my man Rob was out for the press launch of the base model MT-09 back in the spring, and I came to put this SP version through it’s paces. I was super excited because not only would I get to ride this amazing motorcycle, but I’d get to check an item off of my motorcycle bucket list- to ride the legendary Hwy. 129, the Tail of the Dragon.

Ryhno Racing: MotoAmerica Prep Update

Posted by Ryan Nolan | May 24, 2024 | Industry & Racing, Nuts & Bolts |

PittRace is a track I seemed to gel with quickly and while I can see more time easily moving forward, it was nice to get up to pace quicker than I expected. During the practice day on Friday, my goal was to just get down into times that were below 1:55. To my shock, I was in the 1:53’s by the third session of the day so I was feeling excited for the races to come. Saturday morning was qualifying and I further lowered my time to a low 1:52. I could see a 1:51 pretty easily but just told myself “good enough” and came in. This time would ultimately place me on the second row of the grid in my first race.

Project Bike Build: Yamaha R6, Part 4

Posted by Ryan Nolan | May 17, 2024 | Industry & Racing, Nuts & Bolts |

We’ve gotten to the fun stages of the Superbikesupply.com project bike. The teardown has been completed, I’ve gone through some general maintenance checks including greasing the headstock bearings, valve clearance check, leak down and compression test, and the bike passed with flying colors.

Project Bike Build: Yamaha R6, Part 3

Posted by Ryan Nolan | Mar 18, 2024 | Industry & Racing, Nuts & Bolts |

We’re less than a month away from the 2024 MotoAmerica race season official start at Road Atlanta. That may seem like we still have plenty of time with a few weeks left, but there is still so much to do before we’re ready, so I’ve been putting my head down and continuing to plug away.

Project Bike Build: Yamaha R6, Part 2

Posted by Ryan Nolan | Feb 5, 2024 | Nuts & Bolts |

The Superbikesupply.com Ryhno Racing project bike build is well under way. Currently, I’m taking time to tear down the bike. The first step of this project is taking off all of the street plastics, mirrors, turn signals, etc. since these parts are not needed nor allowed on a race bike.

Project Bike Build: Yamaha YZF-R6

Posted by Ryan Nolan | Jan 4, 2024 | Industry & Racing, Nuts & Bolts |

Those of you who have followed me for a while now know that racing is more than just a hobby to me. Racing is my passion and part of my DNA. Ever since I began riding motorcycles when I was 16, I always wanted to race. My lifelong dream has been to race in the top professional series in the United States. I have worked hard and taken all of the steps to make that dream a reality. From my race license class in 2014 starting out on a 2009 Ninja 250, moving up to a first and then second gen SV650 and finally transitioning to a 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6 in 2023, motorcycle racing has been my drive and joy.

Final Impressions: REV’IT! Hyperspeed 2 Motorcycle Race Suit

Posted by Ryan Nolan | Oct 19, 2023 | Bikes & Gear |

We have come to the end of my CCS racing season and the perfect time for some final thoughts on my experience with the REV’IT! Hyperspeed 2 race suit. If I had to sum up the suit in one statement, it would simply be “quality and attention to detail, at an affordable price”. I’ve really grown to enjoy this suit and appreciate the finer points of its design.