Dave Roper is a revered figure in vintage motorcycle racing for his endurance, his technique and for being the first American to win a race in the Isle of Man TT back in 1984. The half-hour documentary “Motorcycle Man” that CPTV is airing this weekend celebrates the racing career of …
Read More »Yearly Archives: 2022
Oil Drippings: Hey, Kawasaki, What Took You So Long?
It’s a long overdue fresh edition of Oil Drippings. It’s the catch-all column of recent news items from near and far that maybe don’t warrant a full post or somehow fell through the cracks. Here goes: Lower “S” Version of Kawasaki’s KLR650 The model has been around for 35 years …
Read More »Bookshelf: “Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles” Gets Updated
It’s a motorcycle book with a somewhat long title; one sufficiently lengthy that a high-horsepower example of its showcased brand could be a mile away by the time the reader finishes saying it aloud – “The Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles: Every Model Since 1946.” Written by Ian Falloon, “The …
Read More »Landmark Day For LiveWire With S2 Del Mar Production Model And NYSE Listing
MILWAUKEE – LiveWire became “the first publicly traded EV motorcycle company in the U.S.” today and marked the occasion announcing that it’s now taking orders for a production version of its urban-oriented, dirt track-inspired S2 Del Mar electric model. The “Launch Edition” of the model sold out in a 18 …
Read More »Kenny Coolbeth Jr. Reflects On Hall Of Fame Career Racing On Dirt Tracks
HARWINTON, CT – His grandfather raced motorcycles. His father raced motorcycles, too, so it was likely preordained that Kenny Coolbeth Jr. would follow in their tracks. He started riding and racing as a youngster growing up in Warren, CT and can still be found on the racetrack testing new Honda …
Read More »KTM To Help Raise MV Agusta’s Profile In North America
VARESE, ITALY – Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta is getting a higher profile in North America. Under a commercial agreement announced today, Austrian manufacturer KTM will distribute, promote and service MV Agusta models in the United States, Canada and Mexico. MV Agusta primarily builds high-end sport bikes that are as …
Read More »Doc’s Gets Crowd To Revived Customer Appreciation Day
WATERBURY, CT – After an absence of two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Doc’s Motorcycle Parts revived its annual customer appreciation day and bike show on Sunday, drawing hundred of riders who came to enjoy a variety of noteworthy models and to stroll in the sunshine and scarf free …
Read More »Honda Commits To At Least 10 Electric Models By 2025
TORRANCE, CA – Honda has announced plans to “accelerate electrification of its motorcycle models” and will introduce 10 or more battery-powered models globally by 2025. Honda’s goal announced earlier this week is to “increase annual sales of electric models to 1 million units within the next five years, and 3.5 …
Read More »Zero Adds Electric Adventure Model With DSR/X
SANTA CRUZ, CA – Styling-wise, it’s not unlike other models in the adventure category. It has loads of clearance under the power plant and a requisite (if abbreviated) beak. At first glance, the new Zero DSR/X model unveiled today looks like it will fit right in. That is, until a …
Read More »Ducati Links With Lamborghini On Limited-Edition Streetfighter V4
BOLOGNA, ITALY – Ducati’s Streetfighter V4 S doesn’t come cheap. The 2022 edition has a price tag of $25,495. That’s almost chump change, though, when compared to the buy-in for a limited edition, numbered 2023 version of the model. Ducati has teamed with car builder Lamborghini on the more exclusive …
Read More »Limited Edition “El Diablo” Model From Harley-Davidson
MILWAUKEE – Inspired by its 1983 FXRT model and with a $27,999 base price that will entice an upscale buyer, Harley-Davidson on Thursday announced a limited-edition Low Rider El Diablo sport touring model. Due out in autumn with a hand-painted, multi-red color scheme that reflects the season, the Low Rider …
Read More »Royal Enfield Adds Scram 411 To Lineup In U.S.
MILWAUKEE – Royal Enfield is bringing its Himalayan-based 2023 Scram 411 to the United States. The model was revealed back in March, but it wasn’t until Wednesday night that Royal Enfield announced that it will be sold in North America. Described as an “adventure tourer,” the single-cylinder, 411cc model will …
Read More »Brit Jam Draws Crowd, Rarities Attract Attention
EAST HAMPTON, CT – Only at Brit Jam is it possible to see a rare, pricey and legendary Vincent Black Shadow from the mid-20th century at one end of the show ground and a strikingly clean Suzuki GT750 two-stroke “Water Buffalo” from the 1970s at the other end. The title …
Read More »Union Workers Approve New Five-Year Contract At Harley-Davidson’s York Plant
YORK, PA – Union workers at Harley-Davidson’s factory here approved a new five-year contract with the motorcycle manufacturer on Tuesday night. They received wage increases and improved benefits as well as the elimination of a two-tier wage system. The contract ratification vote came two months after workers unanimously rejected a …
Read More »Gold Coast Woes On Long Island, White Plains Store Adds Royal Enfield
(Updated at 2:56 p.m.) NEW HYDE PARK, NY – The viability of Gold Coast Motorsports has been in doubt for years given its less than ideal store location and its dwindling lineup of brands, but it now appears that the high-end dealership on Long Island could be teetering on closure …
Read More »