S12E07: Building an ADV Motorcycle Business

Is the KTM 690 Rally the ultimate lightweight ADV bike, or just a dressed-up dual sport? Zack and Spurgeon are joined by off-road racer, educator, and RevZilla Ambassador Liz Kiniery to tackle "ADV Displacement Creep." As adventure motorcycles climb toward 1400cc and 180 horsepower, the crew breaks down the rise of middleweight and lightweight options like the new KTM 690 Rally, Yamaha Tenere 700, and Honda Transalp. They explore whether riders actually need giant touring rigs or if lightweight, high-performance platforms offer a better balance of trail capability, highway comfort, and risk mitigation. Plus, Liz plays a round of the Engine Sound Guessing Game, and the hosts address a listener question on Additional Dealer Markups (ADM). Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

Harley built a $6,000 thumper, Suzuki revived the V-Twin SV platform, Honda made a hardcore dirt-spec Africa Twin, and Yamaha built a 70-horsepower adventure scooter. EICMA 2026 was packed with unexpected surprises, so Zack and Spurg sat down for an impromptu bonus podcast to break down the weirdest, coolest, and most important motorcycle releases heading our way for 2027. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

Founder and czar of Alt Rider, Jeremy LeBreton, joins the show to break down what it really takes to launch an international motorcycle parts brand, the brutal realities of small business manufacturing, and why "just following your passion" might be terrible advice if you don't have the work ethic to back it up. Plus, Spurg drops key retirement and community-building advice for riders, and the guys tackle the age-old debate: should you change your oil before winter storage? Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

Is Gen Z carrying the proverbial torch of motorcycling forward or abandoning it for more practical methods of transportation?  In an effort to best answer this question, we sit down with five young riders from across the globe to discuss the real barriers, fears, costs, and thrills of motorcycling for the next generation. From an 18-year-old pilot in Alaska to an airhead BMW enthusiast in the Netherlands... a roller coaster engineer to a track racer in Singapore... and a high school student in Alabama. With all of them in the conversation, we explore what it takes to get Gen Z on two wheels. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread: News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV: Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

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