New England News

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 …

VERNON, CT – The New England Motorcycle Museum over the weekend released a schedule of major events planned for 2019, including a 2nd annual Café Fever show in August and auctions in May and September. While the museum’s booking agent, Keith Gorden, reported in a Facebook post that details will …

OSSINING, NY – Energica, the high-performance electric motorcycle brand from Italy, has signed a new dealer in the northeast and its ninth in the United States, RIDE-CT & RIDE-NewEngland has learned.  Hudson Valley Motorcycles expects to have models in its showroom on Route 9 here soon. “They’re beautiful bikes. It’s …

Wintertime is normally a down time for motorcycle activities in the northeast. Riding opportunities are limited at best and events are few. There’s an exception this year, though, as Saturday, Jan. 19 has loads of activities taking place simultaneously and offering a variety of options both indoors and outside and …

ENFIELD, CT – The new year will likely offer a better ending for the former owner of Shark Cycle in Stafford Springs, CT than last year did. Robert Charland has been incarcerated in the medium-security Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution here since Aug. 15, according to online records from the state Department of …