Yearly Archives: 2020

Harley-Davidson Scraps Factory Racing Teams

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson’s ongoing “rewire” effort to bolster its sagging fortunes continues, albeit in ways not as widely visible to street riders across the country as trimming its model lineup, postponing the release of new models or reducing the number of dealerships. It was revealed Wednesday that the company has …

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Safe Riding: CONREP Stressed Safety During 2020

NAUGATUCK, CT – Getting a motorcycle endorsement in Connecticut (or anywhere) is always a challenging endeavor, but never more so than in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP) classes in the spring and forced safety-related changes for the remainder of the year at teaching sites that …

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Kawasaki To Restructure, Spin Off Motorcycles

A major shakeup was announced Monday by Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The company will spin off its train and motorcycle and engine businesses next year. The restructuring is targeted for October 2021. No details were given on the new company that will build bikes but, in an update Tuesday, …

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Hamlin Cycles Parts With Aprilia, Still Has Moto Guzzi

BETHEL, CT – After nearly three years as an Aprilia dealer, Hamlin Cycles is no longer selling the sporty Italian brand. “Today is our last day as an Aprilia dealer,” Hamlin Cycles owner Jim Hamlin revealed in a midday announcement on social media. The store will continue to sell Moto …

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Harley-Davidson Sales And Market Share Still Sagging

MILWAUKEE – Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the United States dropped 10.3 percent in the third quarter of 2020, compared to 2019, while the company’s share of the 601+cc market dropped dramatically in Q3 to 41.4 percent from 49.8 percent a year ago. Worldwide, Harley-Davidson sales in Q3 were …

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Eats: The Blue Pig Provides Jackpot For Columnist

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY – This year’s “Great Northeast Ice Cream Run,” searching out unique creameries that make their own ice cream from locally sourced ingredients and combining it with fun rides, has produced some tasty memories. I certainly hit the jackpot recently, though, with The Blue Pig, which added ice cream …

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Status Is Doubtful For Springfield Motorcycle Show

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – A decision on whether to stage the Springfield Motorcycle Show in January at the Eastern States Exposition may not be made for another four weeks, but promoter Doug Sousa suggested today that the odds are slim that the 16th annual show will be held. An alternative …

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Eats: Peaches ‘N Cream Has Flavors Of Fall

LITCHFIELD, CT – As the warmer months wane, we welcome the cozy comfort of autumn with hayrides and Halloween. The season also turns for our favorite frozen confection. Creameries all over the Northeast, such Peaches ‘N Cream, celebrate the season with a bounty of flavors for leaf peepers to enjoy. …

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Bookshelf: “Vespa: Style And Passion” Tells Scooter’s Story

Introduced in 1946, it wasn’t until 1953 that the Vespa scooter became instantly recognized worldwide thanks to the intuition of a Hollywood movie director. William Wyler was “looking for a means of transportation that the entire world could identify as typically Italian” for his movie “Roman Holiday.”  Wyler made his …

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