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.

Mixing Beer, Bikes Makes For Irresponsible Cocktail, Yet Dealers Persist In Serving Booze

EAST HARTFORD, CT – It’s National Beer Day, and it’s providing yet another example of motorcycle dealers being irresponsible by serving alcohol in their stores. The notable culprits are Hartford Harley-Davidson in East Hartford, CT and Old School Harley-Davidson in Ellington, CT. It’s a practice that’s not only irresponsible but …

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Indian Dropped By Staten Island Dealer

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Gotham Motorcycles plans to expand the presence of Royal Enfield in its showroom and is looking to perhaps add other motorcycle lines in the wake of jettisoning the Indian and Slingshot brands of motorcycles and three-wheeled roadsters from Polaris in mid-November. “No longer Indian. No longer …

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Enfield Motor Sports Ends 50 Years Of Family Ownership

ENFIELD, CT – A two-generation, family-owned dealership that began in 1971 when Bruce and Shirley Miller opened Enfield Arctic Cat has quietly exited the power sports arena. Known for now as Enfield Motor Sports, and offering Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha motorcycles at 27 Palomba Drive, the dealership recently sold. The …

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Vintage Indians Get Shown At Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

GREENWICH, CT – It would be misleading to claim that motorcycles are an afterthought at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. The event staged on the waterfront at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park routinely draws some exquisite models. It’s just that they’re always overshadowed by the high volume of expensive vintage and modern …

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Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Offers One-Off Experience

GREENWICH, CT – The day-of-show ticket price of $55 alone provides a clue that the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance isn’t your average vintage car and motorcycle show. Its waterfront setting, its judges bustling around in navy blue blazers, and its rare and valuable entries both old and new drive home that …

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“If You Had Asked Me…” Has Bemer Update, Kawasaki Electric Plans

It’s the October edition of “If You Had Asked Me, I Would Have Told You…” It’s an items column filled with news tidbits from near and far that either didn’t warrant a full story or somehow fell through the cracks. There’s also a smattering of opinion. Here goes: “If You …

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New Middleweight Models From Triumph And Kawasaki

It’s a cliché to say that good things come in small packages, but a motorcycle doesn’t have to be huge to be fun. A peppy, compact model can offer a spirited riding experience, along with splendid handling on back road adventures. Two all-new 2022 middleweight models unveiled this month by …

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It’s Peak Car Show Season And A Chevrolet Serie 2 SS Model Provided Color In Beacon Falls

BEACON FALLS, CT – It’s peak season for car shows and a slew of options seemingly impacted attendance at two shows this past Sunday. Despite brilliant sunshine, there were noticeably fewer cars than in pre-Covid-19 pandemic days at shows staged by the Lions Clubs in Beacon Falls and in Watertown, …

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American Metal Opens Shop In Danbury For One-Off Motorcycles (And Hot Rods)

DANBURY, CT – Custom-made, one-off motorcycles have always been an extravagance and a bit of an enigma in terms of purpose. Are they created to be displayed as expensive artwork in the lobbies of corporate offices or in man caves? Or are they crafted to actually be ridden; at least …

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