With spring finally here, it’s time for another installment of “If You Had Asked Me, I Would Have Told You That…” Its purpose is to share a bit of opinion, to burn off some news items that maybe don’t deserve a full post, and to simply kvetch. Let’s begin in …
Read More »Springfield Museum in “Roadster Guide”
Motorcycles are only a minor consideration in travel writer Michael Milne’s latest book, “Roadster Guide to America’s Classic Car Museums & Attractions,” but the fact he mentions the collection of old Indians at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History in Massachusetts and the bikes on display at …
Read More »Sex Victims Seek Dealer’s Assets
BRIDGEPORT – A civil lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks to “restrain and seize” the assets of 63-year-old motorcycle dealer Bruce J. Bemer and another man who are accused of being involved with a sex trafficking ring that prostituted mentally-disabled young men.
Read More »Shoddy American Flat Track TV Coverage Cuts Out
The motorcycles may be state of the art but television coverage of the American Flat Track racing series, which has streamed on FansChoice.tv, has so far this season looked more like it has been produced by a high school audio-video department than by experienced, professional broadcasters. Sloppy camera selection, rubish …
Read More »Dealer Charged, Linked To Human Trafficking Ring
DANBURY – The owner of three motorcycle dealerships in southern New England as well as Waterford Speedbowl was one of three men arrested and charged this week for allegedly being a client of a prostitution ring that exploited young men with mental disabilities for more than 20 years. Bruce J. …
Read More »Management Shakeup At Yankee Harley-Davidson
BRISTOL, CT – A recent management shakeup at Yankee Harley-Davidson here resulted in the installation of a new general manager and a new sales manager, and a vow by the dealership to “go back to basics” when it comes to the store’s relationship with customers. Jake Twombly has been promoted …
Read More »Solid Start For Cabin Fever Show
NAUGATUCK, CT – A mix of new and old motorcycles with custom and vintage cars attracted thousands to town this weekend for the first-ever Cabin Fever Custom Car and Motorcycle Show at the former General DataComm building, which has been turned into an event center. Show promoter Don Clady, publisher …
Read More »Harley Chief’s Weekly Take Hits $180,000
MILWAUKEE – Last year was a very, very good year for Harley-Davidson’s top executives, most notably President and C.E.O. Matt Levatich. His total compensation in 2016 was $9,350,303 – or nearly $180,000 per week ($179,813 to be exact). That takes in salary, bonuses, stock awards and more. This also means that …
Read More »Last Roundup For Whitehorse Gear
CENTER CONWAY, NH – After 28 years in business, Judy and Dan Kennedy are retiring “with mixed feelings” and closing Whitehorse Gear, the warehouse store and online seller of motorcycle gear and apparel. The business began as Whitehorse Press in 1989 as a publisher of motocycle books, including DIY manuals …
Read More »Will Flat Track Help Fuel Rivalry?
HARWINTON, CT – There’s a saying in the news biz that “There’s no rooting in the press box.” It means that reporters – more specifically, sportswriters – should judge and report on events objectively and without favor. But I couldn’t help it last night when watching the Daytona TT on …
Read More »Motorcycle Market May Heat Up In 2017
HARWINTON, CT – It has been a schizophrenic end to winter. Warm one day, cold and windy the next, with occasional rain or snow. One day I’m toasty while riding to New Haven to meet a friend for lunch, the next I’m shivering while hauling logs for the wood stove. …
Read More »Bultaco Open House Canceled
CRARYVILLE, NY – The annual open house planned for Saturday by Bultaco Motorcycles here has been abruptly canceled “with deepest regrets.” Tuesday’s blizzard is the reason. In a Facebook post today, Bultaco Motorcycles reported, “We have been brought to our knees by mother nature this late in the winter with …
Read More »Polaris Head’s Weekly Take Drops To $105,000
MEDINA, MN – Government filings often provide a glimpse into corporations and a notice of an annual meeting of stockholders filed Friday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by Polaris Industries revealed dramatically shrinking compensation for Scott W. Wine, the company’s chairman and C.E.O. In 2016, Wine only earned slightly …
Read More »Small Street Rod From Harley-Davidson
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson’s small Street models haven’t been robust sellers for dealers since their unveiling in November 2013, but the company’s belief in the need for a broad lineup that includes entry-level machines hasn’t wavered, and now comes another model dubbed the Street Rod that is a bit more sporty …
Read More »Overnight Ride To Woodstock, NY
WOODSTOCK, NY – We were getting back on our bikes outside of a trendy coffee shop in New Paltz, NY when a man approached, got in my face and growled menacingly, “You guys on your (blanking) cool Italian bikes.” Before I could ascertain whether he posed a threat, the guy burst …
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