Highside/Lowside - A Motorcycle Podcast

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 m...

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 "fri...

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...

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? Wha...

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...

The $6,000 Harley-Davidson, Honda's automatic clutch, the "vicious" KTM 990 RC R superbike, and much, much more are discussed as Zack and Spurg preview the most exciting motorcycles, tech, and industry shifts coming in 2026! We also have an "Am I the A-hole" debate involving a delivery robot and a parked Harley… and we're joined by gear expert Pat McHugh to discuss the future of hearing protection...

Can you imagine crashing a superbike at a press event in a foreign country? Zack can! Zack Courts returns to the show and shares his experience (both on and off the track) at the KTM 990 RC R press event in southern Spain. Spurg & Zack also discuss changes in motorcycle policy at the Circuit of the Americas and whether or not a high BMW price tag is worth it off-road. Check out more from RevZilla:...

In the last episode before Zack's triumphant return, Spurg and guest host Ari Henning celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Suzuki GSX-R by digging into its rise, fall, and rebirth as one of the most prolific motorcycles in the industry. The guys also dive into the challenge of finding a good used GSX-R and discuss the "Gixxer Bro" culture. Plus, stick around for a very special Engine Sound Guessi...

The legendary Ryan from FortNine drops in to go deep into his most ambitious project yet: a feature-length documentary chronicling a record-breaking, 16-day motorcycle trip around the entire world. With Zack Courts still out on the mend, Spurgeon Dunbar is joined by CTXP producer Spenser Robert to ask Ryan about his chaotic time in India, the freezing "Nullarbor" of Australia, the logistical mirac...

Spurgeon is joined by Common Tread's Lance Oliver to take a deep dive into the financial and structural changes rocking the Harley-Davidson corporate world. From a surprise CEO change (Artie Starrs from Topgolf and Pizza Hut) to a dealer revolt and the future of the brand, we're cutting through the clickbait to deliver a rational, fact-based look at the Motor Company. Check out more from RevZilla:...

The Motorcycle Dating Game returns! Patrick Garvin and Spurg match Highside/Lowside listeners to their perfect motorcycle. And they all lived happily ever after! Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread : News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV : Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

Fan-favorite Lance Oliver joins HSLS to break down the biggest news from EICMA 2025: The surprising new Suzuki SV-7GX, BMW's controversial F 450 GS (and its AI photos), Honda's wild V3R 900 E-Compressor concept, and the rise of brands like CFMOTO and Royal Enfield. Plus, they debate the "trickle-down" tech trend and ask: are big motorcycle shows like EICMA even relevant anymore? But where is Zack...

It's the Highside/Lowside Season 10 finale, and we're going out with a bang! World Superbike racer Garrett Gerloff joins Zack and Spurg for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from the mindset of a pro racer to the simple joy of riding a Yamaha Zuma.  If you've ever wondered what a world-class rider thinks about group rides, speeding tickets, or even the Honda Gold Wing, this is the...

Zack and Spurg dedicate a full episode to you! Join us as the guys tackle your best comments and questions of the season: Are motorcycle throttles designed backward? What's the future of cruisers as Harley-Davidson's market share shifts? And what are the pros and cons of flipping your front track day tire to save a buck? And more! Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread : News, opinions, and wr...

Are Chinese motorcycles finally ready to compete with the established giants from Japan and Europe? In this episode of Highside/Lowside, Zack and Spurge dive deep into one of the most talked-about topics in the industry. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread : News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV : Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

The most intense and inspiring conversation in Highside/Lowside history, Zack and Spurg are joined by three riders who faced life-altering motorcycle accidents and fought their way back to the machines they love. This episode is a powerful testament to the passion, resilience, and spirit of the motorcycle community... and the unstoppable drive to get back on two wheels, even when the world tells y...

Are motorcycle group rides the best way to make friends or the fastest way to make enemies? In this episode of Highside/Lowside, Zack and Spurg tackle the highs, the lows, and the unwritten rules of riding with other people. From the dusty trails of an ADV rally to the organized chaos of a track day and the etiquette of a local poker run, we cover what you need to know to survive and thrive. Plus,...

Six generations, 640,000 sold and some of the most fanatical fans the motorcycling world has to offer.  The Honda Gold Wing has had a huge impact on the industry both at home and abroad.  Spurg and Zack explore the Gold Wing's origins and how it's managed to be a top seller in the touring world after 50 years. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread : News, opinions, and written reviews RevZill...

Being a top competitor in MotoAmerica takes a level of talent, intelligence, and dedication that few possess... especially at 17 years old! Professional motorcycle racer Kayla Yaakov joins the show to give a glimpse of what life is like for one of the most exciting and inspirational racers in the sport! Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread : News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV : B...

Whether you already own a motorcycle or not, there are so many reasons to rent! But what is the best way?! Ride-share app? Rental Company? Dax Harlow (from MotoQuest) and Ari Henning join the show to discuss the ins, outs, and anecdotes of renting (and renting out) bikes around the world. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread : News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV : Bike reviews, Ho...

In this episode of Highside/Lowside, we sit down with Chris Northover of Bike World TV to explore the benefits of riding different types of motorcycles — from enduro bikes to adventure tourers to sportbikes. Can cross-training with various bikes actually make you a better rider? We dig into how switching things up can sharpen your skills, build confidence, and give you a whole new perspective on t...

In this episode of Highside/Lowside, Spurg and Zack chat about the BEST new motorcycles under $10,000 and have made some exciting picks! Which is your favorite? What did we miss? Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread : News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV : Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos

What makes the Isle of Man TT the most legendary – and dangerous – motorcycle race in the world? In this episode of Highside/Lowside, Spurg and Zack sit down with veteran motojournalist and former racer Mat Oxley to dive deep into the thrill, history, and high stakes of the TT races. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread : News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV : Bike reviews, How-To'...

Highside/Lowside is back for its 10th season! You could say we've learned a thing-or-two about motorcycles over the past 9 seasons. What we know for certain is there's no better way to start a season than with our very own Lance "Silver Fox" Oliver! Lance joins Spurg and Zack to discuss the exciting new-for-2025 motorcycles.  Are you happy with what we've seen so far?  What are you hoping to see?...

Kinga Tanajewska from OnHerBike gives her take on this past season's talking topics including: Solo-riding in foreign countries, her top bike-mods & rider aides and so much more!  Also, the first flying motorcycle available to the public and a very poetic review. Check out more from RevZilla: Common Tread : News, opinions, and written reviews RevZillaTV : Bike reviews, How-To's, and product videos