S12E05: Harley-Davidson Sportster History & Evolution

Is the Harley-Davidson Sportster the most culturally significant American motorcycle ever built? On this episode, we dive deep into the legendary history and evolution of the Harley Sportster.  Joined by aficionado Patrick Garvin, the guys break down everything from the 1957 original 883 to the Ironhead era, the Evo transition, the controversial rubber mounts, the Sportster S, and why Harley-Davidson is bringing back the classic 883 platform. Plus, a follow-up on flying motorcycles and another round of the Engine Sound Guessing Game! Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

We welcome Evan Yarnall, the mustachioed owner of Solid Performance, a KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, and WP motorcycle dealership, who seems to be doing something right in the eyes of both his employees and customers. Join us as we take a deep dive into the logistics of owning a motorcycle dealership in an effort to answer real-world questions and concerns from the motorcycling public. Questions from riders just like you. Yeah, you! In addition to diving deep into the world of motorcycle financing, freight fees, service wins and woes, warranty claims, and sales staff, they cover Kawasaki's return to two-strokes with the KX327, the infamous KTM camshaft issue, and play another round of the Engine Sound Guessing Game! Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

Are e-motos the future of two wheels, or are they a legal nightmare waiting to happen? Zack and Spurg bring in resident expert Spenser Robert to dive deep into the booming world of electric dirt bikes. From the Surron Ultra Bee and Zero XE to new e-bike laws, speed limiters, and lap-time comparisons against 450cc gas dirt bikes, the team unpacks everything you need to know about this unregulated "Wild West" Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

We welcome Abhi Eswarappa, owner of Iconic Motorbike Auctions, to break down the surprising shifts in classic motorcycle values, highlight the "flops" that turned into high-dollar collector items, and look ahead to guess which 2026 motorcycles will be legendary classics in the year 2066. Plus, we deep-dive into the pricing of the new Suzuki SV-7 GX and find out if it's a true contender for the Daily Rider Leaderboard. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

No matter what kind of motorcycle you have, Zack and Spurg have a ride for you! We're talking small bikes, big bikes, off-road bikes, cheap bikes, expensive trips, track days, wilderness rallies, everything! The duo also give personal summer updates, preview Get On Adventure Fest, and try to decide if that's a young Zack Courts on Facebook Marketplace, or an AI deepfake? Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

We're wrapping up season 12 with a listener-favorite… giving you the chance to ask Zack and Spurg any question you want! Should test rides be banned? Why don't US manufacturers make a range of bikes like the Japanese? What is Zack's beef with Kawasaki Vulcans?! And those questions and more… Plus, a Craigslist ad for a Suzuki GSX-R and Fiat 500 hybrid that you're not gonna want to miss! Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

Former President of the Los Angeles Lakers, Tim Harris, joins the show to discuss his life as a returning rider to answer the question: is it ever too late to start riding? Tim rode from age 16 to 22, then spent the next four decades "frozen in motorcycle ice" while building a family and a career. Now back in the saddle in his 60s, Tim shares the hilarious and humble reality of relearning the "friction zone" and surviving the "intervention" of worried coworkers. We also dive into new data from AIM Expo about Gen Z's interest in motorcycling and answer a listener's question about how to convince a reluctant spouse to let you start riding later in life. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

Zack and Spurg dive into the auditory soul of motorcycling and what makes an engine sound "iconic." From the rhythmic clatter of a Ducati dry clutch to the "vicious" scream of an Aprilia V4, we break down the sounds that transports us to the racetrack and the open road. We also pay tribute to the legendary Japanese industrial designer who survived the atomic bomb to create the iconic Kikkoman soy sauce bottle AND the Yamaha VMAX. Stick around for a special Engine Sound Guessing Game and a heartfelt discussion on the risks and rewards of putting kids on the back of a motorcycle. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

In honor of "Back to the Future" turning 40, industry experts like Ryan Fortnine, Matt Oxley, and Ari Henning take a trip back in time with Zack & Spurg to explore five massive motorcycle "What if" scenarios: What if Boeing built motorcycles? What if Harley-Davidson abandoned "heritage" for "cutting-edge"? How would a different World War II outcome have changed German and Japanese engineering? What does a truly safe motorcycle look like? If gas motorcycles were banned tomorrow, would the community survive on electric and hydrogen alone? Plus, Zack analyzes his actual Alpinestars airbag crash data, comparing his 65-mph highside to Marc Marquez's infamous tumbles. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

Is Marc Márquez the greatest of all time? To kick off the 2026 MotoGP season, Zack and Spurg sit down with legendary racing journalist and historian Mat Oxley to discuss why Márquez is a "generational talent". They dive into the incredible story of how Marc learned to save front-end slides with his elbows, the countless surgeries it took to keep him on the grid, and how Spain has created the most successful racing culture in the world. The guys also take a look towards the future at the 2027 MotoGP rule changes that could reset the entire field—and whether Márquez's body will let him stick around to see them. This entire conversation was inspired by Mat's new book, "Marc the Magnificent: Seven-times MotoGP King". To check out Mat's book for yourself, here is a link to his website. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos