It was a Facebook post today on the “Vintage & Classic BMW Motorcycles USA” page by well-known BMW collector Peter Nettesheim on some wheel bearing technology developed by the German brand more than 50 years ago that sent me searching for a sidetracked copy of “The Art of BMW Motorcycles.” …
Read More »Motorcycling’s Popularity Dips In Connecticut
WETHERSFIELD, CT – If the number of registered motorcycles and the number of people signing up for motorcycle instruction are any indication, motorcycling’s popularity is dipping in Connecticut. The state Department of Motor Vehicles reports that there were 88,119 registered motorcycles as of January 2019, down from 91,120 in January …
Read More »Riding Population Keeps Aging, MIC Says
IRVINE, CA – Get out the Grecian Formula. The median age of motorcyclists keeps getting older, according to data released this afternoon by the Motorcycle Industry Council. The median age of riders in 2018 was 50 years old, up from 47 years old in 2014 and 45 years old in …
Read More »H-D Of Danbury Adds CFMOTO Products
DANBURY, CT – Harley-Davidson of Danbury, which has been a single-line motorcycle dealership since Buell went out of business 10 years ago, expanded its showroom offerings on Friday when it began offering CFMOTO all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides. Product arrived on Thursday and was quickly uncrated and processed. “It’s been in …
Read More »Indian Dealers Showing Off FTR Model
With the heavy cruiser market sagging, it’s a model that could be a game-changer for Indian – the flat track-inspired FTR 1200. The new 2019 model isn’t due in dealerships for at least another couple of months, but Indian is making some examples available to dealerships in southern New England …
Read More »Harley-Davidson’s U.S. Sales Sank In 2018
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson sold 15,104 fewer bikes in the U.S. in 2018 compared to 2017, a 10.2 percent drop, according to a full-year earnings report released this morning. U.S. sales totaled 132,868 last year, down from 147,972 in 2017. The company still commands a 49.7 percent share of the 601+cc …
Read More »Eats: House Of Bones BBQ In Derby, CT
DERBY, CT – It’s a place that’s easy to drive by. That because House of Bones BBQ is located in an odd spot on busy Route 34, just east of Route 8. Heading south, House of Bones BBQ comes quickly into view as you come around a corner. The problem …
Read More »Trial Set For Dealer In Sex Ring Case
DANBURY, CT – New England motorcycle dealer and race track owner Bruce J. Bemer is scheduled to go on trial Thursday in Superior Court here on charges of conspiracy in a sex trafficking ring and patronizing a prostitute. He has pleaded not guilty and has been free on $500,000 bail since …
Read More »Proposed Bill Would Allow Lane-Splitting in CT
HARTFORD – With the Connecticut General Assembly back in session, bill proposals are now being submitted. So far, at least two pertain to motorcycles; one involving helmet usage and the other regarding lane splitting. Sen. Cathy Osten, a Democrat who represents Norwich and nearby towns, today proposed that current law …
Read More »MIC Survey Says More Households Have Motorcycles
IRVINE, CA – A record number of households in the U.S. now have a motorcycle parked in the garage, according to a new Motorcycle Industry Council survey. The trade association said Wednesday that eight percent of households had at least one bike in 2018, “the most ever recorded in decades …
Read More »Ducati Sales Off Slightly In 2018
BOLOGNA, ITALY – Sales of Ducati motorcycles dipped a bit in 2018, but the high-end Italian manufacturer nonetheless was able to top the 50,000-bike threshold for the fourth consecutive year. It sold 53,004 motorcycles in 2018, down from 55,871 in 2017, which represents a five percent decline. Ducati showed growth …
Read More »More Motorcycle Magazines Fold
It was a year ago that “Baggers” magazine went away, folded into “Hot Bike” magazine by Bonnier Corp. Now, “Hot Bike” is gone as well, another victim of the waning print industry. Gone, too, is the “Motorcyclist’s Post,” the long-running regional magazine that served the northeast. Its current issue is …
Read More »Springfield Motorcycle Show Beats Snow
WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – With the overnight forecast calling for snow, riders turned out today and beat the storm by attending the Springfield Motorcycle Show at the Eastern States Exposition. “It’s actually a pretty good showing,” said promoter Doug Sousa. “We’re very happy.” Attendees got to sit on new models …
Read More »BMW Motorrad Sales Increase In 2018
BERLIN – Sales of BMW motorcycles were up slightly in 2018, the company announced this morning, with 165,566 models being delivered. That represents a worldwide increase of 0.9 percent. The company sold 164,153 units in 2017. “We achieved a sales record for the eighth time in succession. I would like …
Read More »“Always Riding” Siciliano Prepared For Crotona Midnight Run
NORTH GRANBY, CT – The Crotona Midnight Run will be staged for the 101st time next Sunday morning in Nanuet, NY and, for the second consecutive year, “Always Riding” columnist Paul Siciliano will be participating (and raising a little money for charity). This time Siciliano will be fighting the cold …
Read More »
Ride CT & Ride New England Serving New England, NYC and The Hudson Valley!