Highside/Lowside - A Motorcycle Podcast

Any way you cut it, riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than many other modes of transportation. But, it's also much more exhilarating! In this episode, Spurg, Zack, and Ari discuss the dangers of riding on two wheels, and what you can do to mitigate them as best as possible.

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Whether it's a first date, or a local (and all-important) ice cream run with a longtime friend, riding two-up is far different than riding alone. In this episode, Spurg and Zack share some of their favorite stories from being both pilot and passenger on motorcycles throughout the years.

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Spurg, Zack, and guest host Jen Dunstan discuss the bikes they've been riding since last season's finale, what the pandemic has meant to motorcycling, and what it all means for the year ahead.

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For the final episode of Season 3 of HSLS, we invited our friend and fellow moto-media junkie, RyanF9 to throw on the headphones and join the podcast to do what we do best... talk about motorcycles. It was a fitting end to Season 3 and tees us all up to kick off Season 4 in the months to come!

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We asked for your questions, and you answered! Now we have some answers (or at least some educated thoughts) for you. In this episode Spurg and Zack have a wide-ranging conversation around some of our favorite listener comments from Season 3.

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From Harley-Davidson's first foray into the world of ADV, to long-standing models like the Hayabusa and KLR, this episode of Highside/Lowside is all about the bikes that belong at the forefront of our mind.

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From cleaning and lubing a chain, to far more robust mechanical undertakings, where is the line for what you can handle yourself, and what should you turn over to a pro? In this episode, the HSLS crew discusses mechanical mistakes they have all made, and the points at which they throw up their hands and take it to the shop.

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We all make mistakes, even the best. Listen in as the HSLS crew talks about some of the biggest mishaps they've had on motorcycles over the years, and provide a bit of direction on how to keep from repeating their errors.

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Technology rules the world, and it's made a monumental impact on motorcycling too. Gone are the days of the kickstarter and non-ABS brakes. We're living in the future, and we like it. In this episode Spurg and Zack invite guest host Ari Henning to talk about the very best advancements we've seen in moto over the past 20 years.

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Around the world in 80 minutes, on a motorcycle, sort of. Of all the places in all of the world, these are the ones that we'd want to go the most, and the bikes we'd want to ride while doing so.

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Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor... well, you get the picture. We ride on, sometimes against common sense and sound judgement. In this episode, Spurg and Zack discuss some of the biggest mistakes they've made while riding in bad weather.

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Spurg, Zack, and Lance Oliver talk about the wide-range of ongoings in the motorcycle industry throughout 2020, as well as what the road ahead looks like for 2021. From the bikes, to the rides, to the realizations that they came to, the Highside/Lowside crew bids farewell to the year that was, and looks forward to the year that will be.

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If you were to build the perfect ADV bike, what would be on it? It's a fun question to ponder, and exactly what the guys discuss in this episode of Highside/Lowside.

Two of the most exciting bikes of 2020, discussed in detail by three of the most exciting voices in motorcycling. What's not to love? The guys talk about the new Triumph Trident and Yamaha MT-09 bikes in this week's conversation with special guest, Ari Henning.

Season 3 of HSLS kicks off as Spurg welcomes his new co-host Zack Courts to the program, introduces some of the updated format changes, and then gets into a deep-dive discussion with Lance Oliver (Managing Editor of Common Tread) around where to draw the line when saving on a motorcycle.

Spurg and Zito talk with Ari Henning and Zack Courts to discuss what motorcycling can do to kick the industry into a higher gear both now and in the future.

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On the bike or off, there are a lot of things that motorcyclists do that annoy everyone. From ways that they ride, to the personality traits that they display in group conversations, these are the facepalm moments we all have encountered. It also happens to be Lemmy's final episode on the couch, so listen in as the guys discuss the things riders do that make them all go crazy.

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The power plant is what propels us all forward, and some just do the job better than others. In this episode of Highside/Lowside, the guys discuss their favorite motorcycle engines of all-time. Whether it is the acoustics, performance, or overall look and feel, in the end it all comes down to opinion, and the fellas have more than a few on the topic.

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Motorcycling is exhilarating. It can also get pretty expensive, pretty quick. Unfortunately, this keeps a lot of would-be riders from ever taking their first spin. In this episode, the guys discuss cheap ways to get into the game as they cover their favorite bikes under $3,000.

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Is it the brand? What about the line and the style? Does a engine make it so? The guys are here in the latest episode to discuss what makes a motorcycle a cult classic. And stay tuned for an interview with Zack Courts!

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No motorcycle is perfect, and every rider is different. That's why we modify. Whether it's suspension or seats, exhausts or hand controls, one of the most common experiences for all motorcyclists is making the bike their own. In this episode, the guys talk about the most important modifications that they like to make on their own rides.

And stay tuned for this week's interview with Chris Diaz. A Navy veteran, avid rider, and future PhD who is an alumnus of the Motorcycle Relief Project.

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Old motorcycles are cool. They look cool. They sound cool. They are the epitome of the word itself. That being said, they can also be a massive annoyance. With old parts and antiquated technology, riding a vintage motorcycle is harder, less comfortable, and often includes far more repairs than a modern bike. On this episode of HS/LS, the guys discuss what to expect from these old machines, and if the upside outmatches the downside of it all.

And for our interview this week, Spurgeon sits down with RevZilla's Director of Facilities, Jeff Kiniery to discuss a mutual love of dirtbikes, and everything that comes with them.

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New year, new-to-you motorcycle? This year could very well be the best year, EVER, to buy a used motorcycle. From the technology, to the supply, to the state of the industry as a whole, the guys discuss this in-depth as well as what it means for the road ahead.

For this week's interview, Spurg sat down for a wide-ranging conversation with Ari Henning, one of the most notable names in moto-media.

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As 2019 winds down the guys look back at the winners and losers in the motorcycle industry over the past 365 days, and then take a gander ahead to what's on the horizon for 2020. In this episode we give Lemmy a break from hosting duties and invite in Lance "Silver Fox" Oliver, Common Tread's Managing Editor, to lend the endless depths of his moto-mind to the HS/LS stage. Be sure to stay tuned through the entire conversation for Spurg's interview with Yves Assad, one of the world's foremost motorcycle photographers.

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To each their own! For every motorcycle made, there is a reason not to like it. There are also plenty of reasons to be a fan. In this episode Lemmy, Spurgeon, and Joe talk about the reasons people tend to give for what makes a "bad" motorcycle, and why, in the end, it all comes down to matching expectations and style between rider and machine.

We also put a voice to one of the pillars of the RevZilla's editorial team as Spurgeon interviews Lance Oliver, author, moto-journalist, and Managing Editor of Common Tread.

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Does it matter where your motorcycle, or its parts, are assembled? For some riders, it does in a big way. But there are also plenty who could not care less, just so long as the motorcycle makes them smile. That's the big question on deck for this installment of Highside/Lowside as the guys share their own thoughts on this highly debated facet of motorcycling.

And, as our expanded content continues here in Season 2, Spurg sits down for an interview with 3-time Pikes Peak champion (and true legend of the moro-verse), Chris Fillmore, to discuss his thoughts on the recent motorcycle racing ban at the event.

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WELCOME BACK! In this episode we kick of the second season of RevZilla's Highside/Lowside with one of our favorite topics around the office and ask the question of, "what makes a motorcyclist?"

Do you have to ride a motorcycle to be considered one? Maybe. But then again, maybe not. Do scooters count? What about trikes? Can you be a motorcyclist if you only ride a few miles/year? What if you rode a lot, but it was a decade ago, are you still a motorcyclist then?

And as an added bonus for Season 2, we have beefed up the podcast with additional segments featuring customer questions and interviews with some of the biggest movers and shakers from the world of moto. In this episode, we sit down with the one-and-only RyanF9 to talk about his journey to internet moto-fame, how he got started riding, and life north of the border, among other things.

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Sales of motorcycles in America have been struggling for years. Is it due to a more safety-focused citizenry? Are motorcycles not as "cool" as they once were? On top of it all, is the premise flawed from the beginning; are motorcycle sales not really down as much as we think? All of that and more as the guys discuss the current state of the industry, and how much of an impact it could have on those who make their way upon two wheels.

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When it comes to electric motorcycles the conversation has always been, "will they be good enough?" For generations petrol has been king of the fuel stack. Entire industries have been built around its consumption, and the engines, parts, and repairs that power our machines in the direction of the future. However, that future is increasingly looking to be electric, and with the constant rate of innovation, the real question to ask might be, "will electric motorcycles be too good?"

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The amount of motorcycle styles available to riders is exploding. But is that a good thing? Are riders better off because of the options available to them, or are we regressing in our ability to craft our own motorcycles into the customized machines we adore? It's something that the HS/LS guys have thought a lot about, and in this episode they delve into the "why" of segmentation proliferation, as well as look to the future for what it means to the industry as a whole.

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ATGATT. If you spend time in riding circles, it's an acronym that is bound to come up in conversation. It is also likely to ignite strong feelings on either side. All The Gear - All The Time is a great way to go about ensuring you have done your part to be as safe as possible on a motorcycle, however, is it right for everyone? And more importantly, should adult riders be required by law to do so, or does that infringe just a bit too far?

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Power and speed, convenience and safety; it's all been amplified by technological improvements to motorcycles through the years. If you ask ten different riders where they think the line is, you'll likely get twelve different answers. But one thing is for certain, technological advancements aren't going in the opposite direction anytime soon. In this episode, Lemmy, Spurg, and Joe speak to their views on the evolution of motorcycle tech, and what it means for the ride itself.

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Some think of it as characteristics that are inherent from the moment of manufacture. Others envision it as something more. Motorcycles are machines. They are made of basically the same stuff as your kitchen toaster. But can machines have soul? That's the question on the HS/LS team's mind this week as they discuss the differences between that which makes a motorcycle unique, and the connection felt between rider and ride that can prove to be much more.

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Is it a lack of free time? Maybe it's cost and access. What about safety? Possibly land use? Perhaps it's video games. More than likely, it's a bit of it all. The simple fact is that racing in America is dying. The interest in this form of motorcycling is definitely in a lull and in this episode the guys discuss the reasons for the downturn in this storied pastime.

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"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." That's a nice saying, but how much of it is really true as it pertains to motorcycles? For this moto-discussion, Lemmy, Spurgeon and Joe dissect some of the myths and misgivings that are common parlance about small bikes.

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Regardless of how you feel about cruisers (and some folks feel strongly on either side), they are one of the most prolific styles of bike on the road. They're kind of like the superhero movies of the motorcycle world; you're either an ardent fan, or you fail to see what all the hype is about. Either way, they're getting a lot of air time.

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It went by faster than Zarco at Qatar, but there was more than a little bit of moto-happenings that transpired along the way. The fellas sit down to chat about the year that was in 2018.

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Lemmy and Joe welcome Spurgeon to the show as they trio talks about the biggest happenings at one of the most important motorcycle shows of the year.

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RevZilla's best motorcycle minds sit down to discuss the Triumph Scrambler 1200, the history of the style, and where it all goes from here. Listen in as Lemmy and Joe try to figure out if the new motorcycle from Triumph is the "Scrambler-iest scrambler to ever scramble", a naked adventure bike, or something else entirely.

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