Yearly Archives: 2021

A Device To Assist When The Traffic Light Changes Color But The Driver Can’t See It

(Editor’s note: Bud Wilkinson writes the “My Ride” classic car feature in the “Republican-American” newspaper in Connecticut. He often comes across car-related stories that don’t fit the format of the feature, so RIDE-CT & RIDE-New England has added a “Classic Cars” page to provide an outlet for these stories and …

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Poll: Readers Reject Dealer Boozefests, New Poll On Tire Habits

Dealers who serve beer and other alcoholic beverages during on-site events are looked upon unfavorably by more than 70 percent of riders, results of latest RIDE-CT & RIDE-New England poll reveal. While most dealers don’t ever serve alcohol, a few actively engage in the practice and heavily promote their boozefests. …

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“If You Had Asked Me…” Deduces New Indian Dealer, Includes Apple Advisory

It’s another edition of “If You Had Asked Me, I Would Have Told…” It’s an items column filled with national and local news tidbits along with a bit of opinion. Here goes: “If You Had Asked Me, I Would Have Told You…” Still Waiting For An Official Announcement, But… The …

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Royal Enfield Reboots “Classic” Model With Smaller Version

MILWAUKEE – Royal Enfield is back with a motorcycle model that exhibits old-time style and a “Classic” moniker. The India-based manufacturer today unveiled the Classic 350 that will be sold in the U.S. for the 2022 riding season. Royal Enfield’s Classic range dates back to 1948. It was in 2008, …

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Harley-Davidson Claims Sales Lead in Adventure Touring Category . . . Really?

MILWAUKEE – “Claim” is a clever word. It can be used as a verb and as a noun, and has several definitions, including “to assert to be rightfully one’s own” and “an assertion open to challenge.” It pops to mind because of a short press release issued today by Harley-Davidson …

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“If You Had Asked Me…” Deals With COVID-19, Dealers And New Models

The start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 put the regular “If You Had Asked Me, I Would Have Told You” column of news tidbits into an extended hibernation that has lasted 18 months. It returns now with some local, national and international items and a bit of opinion. …

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Athens Cultural Center Ends Exhibit With A Roar

ATHENS, NY – The seven-week “Head Out on the Highway: A Love Embrace” exhibit of vintage motorcycles and cultural items associated with motorcycling comes to an end this weekend at the Athens Cultural Center here with special “Hog Days of Summer” send-off events planned for Saturday. A “Motor Mouth” story …

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Big Opening Day For Yankee Chapter’s National Meet

TERRYVILLE, CT – It’s not uncommon when attending a vintage motorcycle show to spot a brand with an unfamiliar and/or rarely-seen name. The standout Friday at the opening day of the National Meet staged by the Yankee Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America was a British-made 1919 Sparkbrook. …

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Different Layout, Large Crowd Possible At Yankee Chapter’s National Meet

TERRYVILLE, CT – Maine “Ted” Smith wasn’t making any predictions today as to crowd size at this weekend’s National Meet at the Terryville Fairgrounds being staged by the Yankee Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. However, the organization’s president did drop some clues as to why the turnout …

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Vintage Harley-Davidsons A Family Affair

TORRINGTON, CT – For some motorcyclists, old models have a magical allure. They’re certainly much easier to work on than their modern-day counterparts, and they also spur the imagination to speculate on their past adventures. “I always think about the history,” said collector Richard Nelson of Torrington recently as he …

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Z-Rex Looks Better Than New After 20 Years On The Road

NEW MILFORD, CT – It’s not often that a 20-year-old motorcycle looks like it just rolled off of a showroom floor. It’s even rarer for one to look even better than new. Mike Metcalfe’s 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R Eddie Lawson Replica does, though, as the Waterbury, CT resident is fastidious with …

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