Bud Wilkinson

Bud Wilkinson writes the "My Ride" classic car feature for Hearst Connecticut Media Group's newspapers in CT and for the chain's CT Insider website. The weekly feature began in 2016 in the "Republican-American" newspaper in Waterbury, CT. He also wrote the "RIDE-CT" motorcycle column in that newspaper from 2005 until 2025. A graduate of Vermont Academy prep school, he holds a B.A. degree journalism from Ohio Wesleyan University. He is the recipient of a Scripps Howard Foundation National Journalism Award in 1992 and a 1991-92 regional Emmy Award for commentary. He currently rides a 1987 BMW R 80 RT and a 2014 Triumph Bonneville and drives a 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Test Ride: Royal Enfield’s 650 Twins

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 …

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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, …

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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 …

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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, …

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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 …

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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, …

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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 …

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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 …

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“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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