Ride New England

Besides being a 1909 graduate of Cornell University and an astute mechanical engineer, Norbert Schickel was also a pack rat. Even after his Connecticut-based business went out of business, the self-described “born mechanic” retained financial statements, contracts, photos, correspondence, schematics, promotional literature and even parts from his creations. “Grandpa never …

By Bud Wilkinson So-called “reality shows” on television are anything but real. They’re orchestrated and staged just like a sitcom or drama. The action is largely preordained and the open, middle and ending are tightly scripted. The purpose is storytelling, not truth, because actual reality can be

Update: The light bulb finally went on and I learned to properly tuck the laces down inside the boot. Having worn them now for nearly 18 months, I’ve found them to be comfortable and durable, so the rating gets revised upwards by one star. —– Ever put your feet down …

By Bud Wilkinson Headed north out of Litchfield on Route 63 on a recent Sunday morning, I came up behind two motorcyclists who were riding in staggered formation at a speed that was at times a little south of the posted limit. As we approached a passing zone, the rider …

By Bud Wilkinson The brand and style of motorcycle that someone rides often makes a statement about that rider, projecting a real or desired self-image. The same can be said about companies and the models that the many manufacturers produce. In a 2009 article, “Motorcyclist” magazine recalled the late 1970s …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com It wasn’t until after a recent phone conversation with Mike Cunningham ended that the most obvious question popped to mind. Cunningham is Director of U.S. Sales and Dealer Development for Zero Motorcycles and the question – OK, two related questions – that I’d failed to …

By Bud Wilkinson Before March 8, I’d neither heard of a Garelli nor envisioned myself emulating the guys on the “American Pickers” television show. I didn’t know that the Italian brand of motorcycles and mopeds was founded by Adalberto Garelli in 1919. Italian motorcycles to me meant Ducati, Moto Guzzi, …

By Bud Wilkinson Place a Mustang motorcycle next to almost any other motorcycle and it would look a bit like a Tonka toy. All the pieces are there – the wheels, motor, gas tank, seat, etc. – but they’ve been slightly downsized. Is a Mustang is a miniature motorcycle or …

By Bud Wilkinson At what age or state of physical decay is it appropriate to draw up a “bucket list” of things to do or accomplish before one dies? Having prematurely written a “year-ender” column back in November after the pre-Halloween nor’easter and ensuing extended power outage left me unable …

By Bud Wilkinson Mention the name “Husqvarna” to anyone who lives in the country and images of chain saws and lawn tractors inevitably come to mind. There’s one of each sharing space with the bikes in my garage. They’re orange-colored time thieves that curtail riding and cause a sore back …

By Bud Wilkinson By the time the Sunday motorcycle adventure ended, and riding cohort Gary Randall’s 1968 BMW R50/2 was securely strapped on a trailer, the sun was setting in the Berkshires and a bovine chorus was serenading us from beyond a barbed wire fence. Something that I feared happening …

By Bud Wilkinson Jim Batterton has a sensible goal for his business. “I don’t have any aspirations of becoming huge, but I would like to be able to support myself doing something I enjoy,” said the 60-year-old Batterton, who gets enjoyment from converting heavyweight motorcycles into trikes. He owns Kent …

By Bud Wilkinson In past years, RIDE-CT has pushed the riding season to the limit before packing it in. The routine has been to bundle up and stay on the road for as long as possible – often until mid-December. A ride on New Year’s Day has been an occasional …

By Bud Wilkinson Just like with movies and TV shows, some new motorcycle models become hits with consumers while others flop and disappear quickly. Occasionally, a long-forgotten relic that was a slow seller and only had brief life on the showroom floor will develop a cult following or be sufficiently …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Mike Wallace went to Rice-O-Rama earlier this month searching for parts. He had a lengthy shopping list, too. A seat and side cover for a Honda CB750 Four, bar ends for a Suzuki GS1100ES and a gas tank for a Yamaha R5 were just a …