Bud Wilkinson

Bud Wilkinson is editor and publisher of RIDE-CT. He writes the "My Ride" classic car column for Hearst Connecticut Media Group's newspapers in CT and for the company's CT Insider website and YouTube channel. 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 when motorcycles were folded into My Ride. 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 R80RT and a 1996 BMW R850R.

Third Time’s A Charm For First Female In CSP’s Motor Unit

Jillian Leca calls it the “most difficult training – physically and mentally – that I’ve ever done.” It lasted three weeks and ended two weeks ago with the Connecticut State Police trooper graduating and becoming the first female to admitted to the agency’s Motor(cycle) Unit in the 120-year history of …

Read More »

Hurricane Among Memorable Models At Sunday Morning Ride-In

FALLS VILLAGE, CT – It doesn’t come out of his climate-controlled basement very often. Dean Mojon of New Hartford, CT guesses that maybe four or five years have passed since he last rode the rare 1973 Triumph X-75 Hurricane that he’s owned for 49 years. “I used to think it …

Read More »

Another Anheuser-Busch Brand Taking A Beating With Harley-Davidson Tie-In

(Editor’s note – May 26, 20023: An incredibly high number of passionate comments in response to this news story that has made reviewing and approving them difficult to manage, and because the website commonly seeks to present motorcycle stories in a balanced manner without a taking political position in most …

Read More »

Update: Connecticut Man Eliminated From Dream Chopper Contest

(Editor’s Note – May 5, 2023: Voting in the semi-final round of the Dream Chopper contest ended Thursday night and Benjamin Washington finished third in his group, which eliminated him from the contest.) TORRINGTON – Benjamin Washington doesn’t have campaign signs in his front yard or a bank account stuffed …

Read More »

Dropping Harley-Davidson Sales Offset By Revenue Rise

HARWINTON, CT – A story this week from “The New York Times” on higher food prices and changing consumer habits has me wondering if any company gives a lick about its longtime customers. It told how the biggest packaged food makers raised their prices last quarter and experienced rising profits. …

Read More »

Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Prompts First New Purchase In Three Decades

BETHEL, CT – Richard Schlansker of Amsterdam, NY has been riding motorcycles for 44 years. On Thursday evening, though, the 71-year-old retired engineer and rider admitted to some apprehension as he secured a new green and silver 2023 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello to a trailer outside of Hamlin Cycles here. …

Read More »

Oil Drippings: New Models From H-D Alert, New Ownership For Long Island’s Gold Coast

Time for another edition of Oil Drippings, the catch-all column of news items that perhaps don’t justify a standalone post or somehow got overlooked along the way. Here goes: New 2023 Models From H-D Coming Next Month If you’re curious about Harley-Davidson’s 2023 lineup and are available at 11 a.m. …

Read More »

Does adidas, Kawasaki Sneaker Collaboration Make Sense?

Some products and brands just naturally go together. Captain Morgan spiced rum and Coca-Cola come immediately to mind (although at this time of the year Southern Comfort-branded eggnog should perhaps be substituted for Coke). But what about an athletic shoe manufacturer from Germany and a motorcycle maker from Japan teaming …

Read More »

Bookshelf: 100 Years OF BMW Motorcycles

Stymied for a Christmas gift for a BMW owner? A copy of the recently-released coffee table tome titled “BMW Motorcycles: 100 Years” might be the answer. Written by Alan Dowds and packed with archival pictures spanning a century, “BMW Motorcycles: 100 Years” is an elegant, comprehensive and celebratory book. Dowds …

Read More »