Up To Speed

Indian’s new Scout model won’t be in showrooms until late fall, but Indian plans to bring display examples to dealerships across the country over the next month or so, and that includes New England, New York and New Jersey. Getting it first – tomorrow from 2 to 6 p.m. – will be Paul …

In the car business, leasing is common. In the motorcycle business, it’s not. However, Harley-Davidson of Danbury recently introduced a leasing program for used bikes. “We’ve done a couple. Nothing crazy. It’s like anything that’s new. People are hesitant,” said finance manager Paul Pinto. The dealership is offering 24-month, 36-month …

EAST HAMPTON, CT – The name of the rally may be Brit Jam, and it may be staged by the British Iron Association of Connecticut, but all brands are welcomed at the annual event and today’s gathering was no exception. Vintage motorcycle lovers from all over the Northeast converged on …

A newspaper in South Dakota is taking flak from some readers for leading its front page yesterday with a story about a family and their friends who annually wager on how many bikers will die during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The “Rapid City Journal” reported that

It was 1962 when Ducati released its first Scrambler model for U.S.-only consumption. The Scrambler wasn’t released in Italy until six years later, and became an immediate hit. In 1971, Ducati expanded its Scrambler lineup of 250cc, 350cc and 450cc models with smaller 50cc, 100cc and 125cc versions. A year later, …

An investigation of two recent fires involving a Can-Am Spyder has been launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Office of Defects Investigation probe covers some 52,000 of the reverse trikes from the 2008 to 2014 model years. The investigation was opened on Monday but just revealed today. …

KENT, CT – A picture of a note that proclaims “Bathrooms Closed” and attacks “‘Harley’ noise makers and their riff-raff,” which has been popping up in social media posts shared over the past couple of days, wasn’t issued by “town officials” as it claims, although the town is still looking …

The cost of buying a new Indian just got a lot cheaper. In an unveiling at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally late last night, the company surprised with a new, smaller Scout model for 2015. It will have a base MSRP of only $10,999 – thousands less than the existing models, …

A recall by Harley-Davidson of some 3,361 Dyna Low Rider motorcycles from the 2014 model year for an ignition switch that may turn the bike off while its moving is underway. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, “In the affected motorcycles, certain optional performance electronic control module calibrations may allow …

After a one-year absence, Harley-Davidson announced today that it is bringing back the Road Glide for 2015. The Road Glide and Road Glide Special touring models will begin arriving in dealerships on Aug. 26. “Road Glide has always had an incredibly passionate following, which is why its return to the …

It was a busy weekend for Polaris Industries. Its Indian division unwrapped a new Roadmaster luxury touring model. Its Victory brand unveiled a new premium bagger called the Magnum. And Polaris revealed a new three-wheeled, reverse trike called the Slingshot. While there’s no mistaking the Roadmaster and the Magum as …

Indian today revealed its 2015 model lineup, reviving the Roadmaster name for a new “luxury touring” model that has an MSRP starting at $26,999. The original Indian company produced the Roadmaster between 1947 and 1953. “It is truly a privilege and an honor for our team to be a part of …

Victory released its 2015 model lineup today, adding a new premium bagger called the Magnum. With an MSRP starting at $21,999, Victory proclaims that the Magnum has “a 21-inch (front) wheel, slammed back-end, custom paint, and our best performing sound system ever.” Powering the Magnum is Victory’s “Freedom 106” V-twin …

Harley-Davidson and Marvel have teamed up again. The companies today confirmed that Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff character (a.k.a. Black Widow) will ride a Project Livewire electric motorcycle in the upcoming movie “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the announcement coming at Comic-Con in San Diego. Another Harley-Davidson – a Street 750 – …

KENT, CT – Friends Neil Tolhurst, Dean Mojon and I were seated on a wood bench across the street from Kent Coffee & Chocolate in downtown Kent on a recent Sunday around midday when a bright yellow Honda Gold Wing pulled to a stop in front of us. As we …