ATV-TALK A Motorsport Podcast

Kris Bartlett returns to ATV-TALK with his wife Heather to take us behind Quad Wars from the racing and personalities to life on the road, crazy show weekends, and what it really takes to keep the action going across the country. Have a question for Kris or Heather, or a Quad Wars story of your own? Drop it in the comments for Comment Corner!

Team USA is back on top at the 2026 Quadcross of Nations! Leonard Duncan breaks down the win in France, the international competition, surprise performances, and the biggest stories from QXoN 2026. Who impressed you most at QXoN 2026? Drop your thoughts and questions in the comments for the next Comment Corner!

The 2026 racing season is coming down to the wire! Leonard Duncan breaks down the latest standings and championship battles across ATVMX, GNCC, WORCS, desert racing, and the 450 motorcycle classes. Who are you watching this season? Drop your picks and questions in the comments for Comment Corner!

From the early pioneers racing alongside the men to today’s WMX champions, women have been part of ATV racing history for decades. Leonard Duncan looks back at the racers who helped shape the sport, the evolution of women’s national competition, dominant championship eras, and the history that still needs to be documented. Who was the first female ATV racer you remember watching? Share your memori...

A big social media following, a cheap quote, or an expensive build doesn’t automatically tell you whether someone deserves your business. Leonard Duncan breaks down how riders can research shops and builders, recognize red flags, ask the right questions, choose quality parts, navigate online advice, and know what kind of support they should expect after handing over their money. What’s the biggest...

Before sport quads and the modern ATV industry, there were three-wheelers—and an entire performance industry being figured out along the way. Leonard Duncan looks back at the early days of the Honda ATC, the builders and racers who pushed these machines beyond their original purpose, Danny Duncan’s role in that developing industry, and how lessons learned nearly 50 years ago still influence ATV pe...

The sport quad didn’t disappear overnight but was declining demand really the whole story? Leonard Duncan looks back at the decisions that shaped the industry, from unreliable and overpriced machines to factory support, aftermarket development, racing programs, and the manufacturers that ultimately walked away. Drawing from decades of firsthand experience, Leonard asks whether riders abandoned the...

Briarcliff MX may be one of the newer stops in ATV Motocross history, but it has quickly become the setting for unforgettable races, championship moments, legends, and some of the biggest names in the sport. Leonard Duncan looks back at Briarcliff’s rise, its place in modern ATVMX, memories from ATV-TALK’s visits to the event, and the racing history that continues to be written there including ano...

The GOAT debate has divided MotoGP fans for years, but what truly defines greatness? In this Shop Talk, Leonard Duncan compares the careers of Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez, discussing championships, longevity, peak dominance, rivalries, and the moments that shaped their legacies. The conversation then shifts to ATV racing, comparing the sport’s own legends and asking whether every generation c...

Every ATV enthusiast has a favorite machine, but if some of these sport quads were truly the best, why did they disappear? Leonard Duncan shares his firsthand experience racing, building, testing, and developing machines from Polaris, Can-Am, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, and Honda, explaining what separated the contenders from the machines that stood the test of time. It’s an honest discussion about per...

The Kawasaki KFX 700 has long been one of the most misunderstood sport ATVs ever built. In this episode, Leonard Duncan looks back on his experience racing and developing the KFX during the 2004 WORCS season, sharing how Kawasaki’s factory support, innovative engineering, and a unique riding style turned a heavily criticized machine into a proven race winner. From holeshots and memorable races to...

Nearly 40 years after its debut, the Yamaha Banshee remains one of the most iconic ATVs ever built. Leonard Duncan and Val take a look at how the Banshee evolved from the original 1987 model to today’s custom builds, discussing suspension, engine development, aftermarket innovation, and why riders still love this legendary two-stroke. What’s your favorite generation of the Yamaha Banshee? Share yo...

The Yamaha Raptor 700 and YFZ450R are two legendary sport quads but they’re built for completely different riders. In this episode, Leonard Duncan and Val compare the strengths, weaknesses, maintenance, and upgrade potential of each machine. Whether you’re a trail rider, racer, or shopping for your next quad, this conversation will help you understand which Yamaha is the right fit for you. Which Y...

In this episode of ATV-TALK, Leonard Duncan and Val take a closer look at the incident that sparked conversation throughout the GNCC community at this year’s Snowshoe race. Rather than focusing on blame, they explore the history of Snowshoe, the legacy of Blackwater, the culture surrounding Howard’s Hole, and how traditions have shaped one of off-road racing’s most iconic events. Together, they di...

Fuel is more than just what goes in your tank. In this episode of Shop Talk, Leonard Duncan and Val discuss how today’s gasoline affects performance, storage, maintenance, and even the lifespan of your ATV. They also explore common misconceptions, the hidden costs of fuel, environmental considerations, and how riders can make smarter decisions when caring for their machines. What fuel questions do...

ATV-TALK producer Val takes over the show to ask Leonard Duncan some of the questions she’s accumulated after years of working behind the scenes. From why Baja is such a big deal to brand loyalty, racing families, and the passion that keeps people coming back, Leonard shares his perspective on some of motorsports’ biggest—and most basic—questions. Have a question about the ATV industry or motorspo...

In this episode of Shop Talk, Leonard Duncan and Val explore why motorsports continue to captivate fans in a world full of streaming, gaming, and endless entertainment options. From Formula 1 to local racing, they discuss what keeps people coming back, why some motorsports are growing, and what the future may hold for racing. What do you think? Let us know in the comments and join the conversation...

This week, Leonard Duncan and Val discuss the latest stories from around the ATV industry, including Zack Decker’s win in Europe, Luke Petersen’s recovery update, and other recent headlines. Plus, after a recent ATV-TALK clip generated thousands of views and sparked major discussion online, Leonard reacts to fan comments and shares his thoughts on some of the biggest topics in ATV racing today. Ha...

In this special ATV-TALK dealership spotlight, Leonard Duncan sits down with Dan Mattar, owner of East County San Diego’s newest CFMOTO dealership. They discuss the growth of CFMOTO, the future of powersports, the demand for sport quads, and how the off-road community is responding to one of the industry’s fastest-growing brands. Plus, get an inside look at the new facility, the machines on the sh...

Leonard Duncan sits down with Joe Tolle for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of the ATV industry and where things could be headed next. From rumors of new ATV models being built and tested to the health of ATV motocross and racing as a whole, this episode dives into the topics riders everywhere are talking about. The two discuss manufacturer involvement, why fans are hungry for...

In this special Shop Talk episode, Leonard Duncan sits down with his father Danny Duncan for a cross-generational conversation about ATV building through the decades. From self-taught engine work in the 1980s and 1990s to modern fuel-injected race machines, they compare what changed, what improved, and what old-school methods still hold up today. The two talk about learning without the internet, c...

In this episode of Shop Talk with Leonard, we break down what it really takes to make it in ATV racing. From the dream to the reality, Leonard dives into the costs, travel, sacrifices, and support system behind every rider chasing success. We talk about the moment riders go “all in,” what separates serious racers from the rest, and the side of the sport people don’t always see burnout, injuries, p...

In this episode of Shop Talk with Leonard, we take a step back and ask a bigger question: is ATV racing stuck or is it evolving? This isn’t a rant, it’s a real conversation about where the sport stands today. From attendance and fan engagement to race formats and what feels stale versus what’s actually working, we break down the current state of the industry. We also dig into the real challenges b...

In this episode of ATV-TALK, we break down GNCC Round 4 at Camp Coker Bullet and Round 5 at The Hoosier. From the sandy South Carolina conditions to the fast, technical Indiana track, we dive into the race action, key moments, and what these rounds mean moving forward in the season. Make sure to subscribe to ATV-TALK on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on YouTube so you never miss an e...

Kris Bartlett isn’t just racing he’s taking ATV racing to the people. In this episode, we dive into how Kris went from racer to promoter and built Quad Wars into a nationwide platform that’s putting ATVs in front of thousands of new fans every weekend. From organizing over 200 shows a year to traveling nonstop across the country, this is the behind-the-scenes hustle of growing the sport in real ti...