KENT, CT – Some products can spoil when the delivery time to market is too long. It was way back in the fall of 2017 – yes, 2017 – that Royal Enfield announced plans for two new retro models with 650cc, twin-cylinder engines. The company even showed off an example …
Read More »CT Bill To Raise Helmet Requirement Advances
HARTFORD – A bill that would require all motorcycle riders under 21 years of age to wear a helmet in Connecticut passed in the House of Representatives in a 113-33 vote on Tuesday evening. The helmet bill now goes to the Senate. Current law requires riders under 18 to wear …
Read More »TSI Harley-Davidson Getting New Ownership
ELLINGTON, CT – After being owned for nearly 50 years by members of the Levesque family, TSI Harley-Davidson at 398 Somers Road (Route 83) is in the process of being sold. Chad Clark and Bryan Castor, who currently own Sheldon’s Harley-Davidson in Auburn, MA and Spitzie’s Harley-Davidson in Albany, NY, …
Read More »Riding Safer In New England, Shorter Season Contributes
SEATTLE – The warmer the climate and the longer the riding season, the higher the rate of motorcycle fatalities. That’s the big conclusion derived from 2017 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics just crunched by the insurance comparison website QuoteWizard. Mississippi had the highest fatality rate with a 14.22 per …
Read More »When Is A Motorcycle Not A Motorcycle?
HUDSON, MA – When is a motorcycle not a motorcycle? One answer may be when it doesn’t have a rear wheel, rather two treads. Tucked in a corner at the newly-opened American Heritage Museum here is such a vehicle – a German-built “”Kettenkrad” from World War II. Formally known as …
Read More »Wild Rabbit Moto Show Draws A Crowd
CAMBRIDGE, MA – A warm and sunny evening brought out riders to the fourth Wild Rabbit Community Moto Show on Saturday. The event, staged by Madhouse Motors in Boston, was held at Naco Taco on Massachusetts Ave. and attracted riders of all ages on all types of motorcycles. “Something we’re really …
Read More »Indian Begins Rental Program; Not In Northeast Yet
MINNEAPOLIS – Indian Motorcycle has started a rental program that will enable riders to hop aboard an Indian for either a short jaunt or a multi-day excursion, but bikes will initially only be available at nine dealerships nationally. None are in the Northeast. In announcing its rental program this week, …
Read More »Harley-Davidson “Battle of the Kings” Northeast Entries
BRISTOL, CT – Parked just inside the front door of Yankee Harley-Davidson on Route 6 here and cordoned off by red velvet ropes is a stunning red, white and blue 2019 Road Glide model. A sign on its seat warns “DO NOT SIT ON BIKE!” and an invoice attached to …
Read More »Triumph Upsizes Rocket 3 With 2019 Limited Edition
HINCKLEY, LEICESTERSHIRE – It’s even bigger and even more expensive than the previous Rocket 3. Triumph today announced a new, limited-edition Rocket 3 TFC model for 2019, with a larger 2,458cc, three-cylinder engine and heftier $29,000 price tag. Boasting 168 horsepower but weighing more than 88 pounds less than the …
Read More »Harley-Davidson Sales Dropped Again in Q1
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson saw its year-to-year Q1 sales drop 4.2 percent in the United States and 3.8 percent worldwide. The company sold 28,091 motorcycles in the U.S. from January through March (down from 29,309 in 2018) and 49,151 worldwide (down from 51,086). In releasing its first quarter statement this morning, …
Read More »“Passport To Parks Fee” Gouges Motorcyclists
HARWINTON, CT – Bills often get paid with nary a glance. Go online, log in, look at the amount due, and click “submit payment.” I did that last week when the registration renewal arrived for my pickup truck. The process was quick and easy. Thanks DMV. Included in the tab was …
Read More »Rainy Weather Doesn’t Dampen Spirits At Ride1 Rally
SALISBURY, CT – Morning rain may have eventually given way to intermittent afternoon drizzle, but the combination conspired to seriously curtail attendance at the inaugural Ride1 Rally. The event, held today at Lime Rock Park and designed to kick off the riding season in southern New England, didn’t draw many …
Read More »BMW To Go After Cruiser Market Again
MUNICH – No matter that it already makes exceptional touring, adventure and sport bikes, BMW seems to have a serious case of cruiser envy that it just can’t shake. Included in a BMW press release earlier this week was the news that the German manufacturer will make a stab at …
Read More »New Contract For Harley-Davidson Workers In Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE – Union workers at Harley-Davidson factories in Wisconsin have approved a new contract offered by the company that includes a 14 percent wage increase over five years. According to a story by Rick Barrett in the “Journal Sentinel” newspaper, the deal also includes “a signing bonus, no changes to …
Read More »“Courant” Throws Book At Bemer Before Judge Rules
HARTFORD – How long motorcycle dealer Bruce J. Bemer will be sentenced to prison for his involvement with a sex ring won’t be known until June when a judge sentences him, but the “Hartford Courant” newspaper stridently threw the book at him in an online editorial posted Thursday. “He deserves …
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