New England News

LAKEVILLE, CT – The bucolic setting of Lime Rock Park race track will be the site of a new motorcycle rally next month, designed to jump start the riding season in southern New England as motorcyclists get their bikes out of winter storage. Presented by Spectro Performance Oils and Lime …

THOMASTON, CT – Upwards of 150 worried dirt bike riders, fearful that a proposed “greenway” may disrupt or bring an end to more than 40 years of riding on trails behind Thomaston Dam, turned out for an occasionally-contentious informational public meeting at Center School on Thursday night. Representatives of the …

HARTFORD – It was standing room only Monday for a public hearing by the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee with opponents and supporters of a universal helmet law in Connecticut stating their well-known positions. “Both sides made a case,” committee co-chair Sen. Carlo Leone (D – Stamford) told RIDE-CT & RIDE-NewEngland, …

HARTFORD – As opponents and supporters of a proposed universal helmet law in Connecticut spend the weekend urging riders to attend a public hearing on Monday at the state legislature, a result from a poll done in January reveals that nearly 75 percent of drivers in the state support having …

HARTFORD – A bill introduced this morning in the General Assembly would require all motorcycle operators and their passengers to wear a helmet when riding in Connecticut. Raised Bill No. 7140 came about on the recommendation of the state Department of Transportation and has been referred to the legislature’s Transportation …

ELLINGTON, CT – His column claim of “Always Riding” certainly rings true as Paul Siciliano has already logged 2,536 miles in 2019, including a trophy-winning ride in the recent Crotona Midnight Run. However, on Saturday afternoon, the RIDE-CT & RIDE-NewEngland  columnist will park it for a couple of hours to …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

MIDDLETOWN, CT – Middletown Motorcycle Mania is no more. Last August’s 13th annual event, which drew thousands of riders and created a madhouse in downtown, was the last one. The reason given for the axing of the event was that it “has grown so large that the cost of providing …