By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com It’s a case of paralysis by analysis. For two weeks now, ever since selling the 1994 BMW R100RT “as-is” after it suffered complete transmission failure, I’ve been shopping for a replacement bike, looking for a modern, used motorcycle that will be reliable, affordable, stable during …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com The 7th annual Middletown Motorcycle Mania, which is set for 5 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 8 in downtown Middletown, is looking for volunteers to help the event run smoothly. “We have most of the volunteers for the registration booths, the parking down the middle …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com MotoGP racing comes to Laguna Seca in California this weekend. To promote the event, Honda rider Stefan Bradl took his track bike up and down San Francisco’s famed Lombard Street yesterday. Given the road’s width and slickness, I suspect the descent wasn’t as easy as …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com It not often that newspapers pay attention go motorcyclists, much less write about them in an inspiring manner. “The Republican-American,” of course, has the RIDE-CT column but most papers’ acknowledgement of riders consists of stories about us getting killed or injured in accidents. However, Karina …

By Bud Wilkinson Headed north out of Litchfield on Route 63 on a recent Sunday morning, I came up behind two motorcyclists who were riding in staggered formation at a speed that was at times a little south of the posted limit. As we approached a passing zone, the rider …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com The late afternoon email from Cornwall collector Will Paley stated, “I’m heading to Mohawk State Park to fire up the Griffon.” Unfortunately, it didn’t get noticed until it was too late to get there to witness his excursion, so I can only imagine what the …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Part of the fun of riding is when the motorcycle you’re piloting gets positive feedback from other riders. I was getting ready to pull out of a side street in Thomaston this afternoon, headed to a gas station, when a couple on a heavyweight cruiser …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com The 3rd annual Torrington Thunder motorcycle show in downtown Torrington isn’t until Sept. 28, but we’re is already hard at work lining up bikes for The Republican-American/RIDE-CT.com display. Yesterday, Sal Masotta of Waterbury committed to bring his 1920 Indian Powerplus. The bike formerly belonged to …

By Bud Wilkinson The brand and style of motorcycle that someone rides often makes a statement about that rider, projecting a real or desired self-image. The same can be said about companies and the models that the many manufacturers produce. In a 2009 article, “Motorcyclist” magazine recalled the late 1970s …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com In this case, it’s just one bike “along the road” – a custom parked along the main drag in Kent yesterday. Despite trying, I never managed to locate the owner. The bike’s green paint with flames and skull and spider attracted glances. Whoever did the …

By Steve Smith Motorcycling is mostly an activity between rider and machine, but it is enjoyable to ride with a group of like-minded individuals. Whether on tour or just out for a day ride, the camaraderie and the discussing of

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com What’s it like to go down at nearly 80 miles per hour? This video snagged from “The Daily Mirror” in the U.K. shows us:

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Results of RIDE-CT.com’s June poll have been tabulated and nearly half of those voting – 49 percent – believe that loud exhaust pipes are obnoxious. Readers were given six choices to complete the line “Do you think loud exhaust pipes are…” and were allowed to …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com When the “down low” noise began, I cannot recall. Maybe sometime last year. It became more persistent, although not consistent, this spring. Something definitely seemed wrong with my 1994 BMW R100RT, but I couldn’t pinpoint the problem. Friends rode it and didn’t hear a thing. …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Victory marks 14 years of making motorcycles in Spirit Lake, Iowa on the 4th of July and plans on unveiling some 2013 models next Monday. Today, the company rolled out a new badge design/logo with a teaser video.