NEWINGTON, CT – Are your riding skills sufficient to teach others? If you think so, have some free time and would like to earn a few bucks in the process, CONREP needs you. The Connecticut Rider Education Program has lost roughly one-third of its instructor corps over the past few …
Read More »“C-Bear” Derided As “Asshat” After CT Crash
A stunt rider from Ohio who went down last week while showing off on a Connecticut roadway is getting ridiculed on Facebook as an “asshat,” a “dumb ass” and a “jackass” – and, after watching the video, it’s easy to see why. Jeff “C-Bear” Flaherty, whose Facebook page says that …
Read More »A Whopper Of A Tale Involving A 1954 BMW R67/2
THOMPSON, CT – If this were a fish tale, it might be considered a whopper. However, unlike anglers who sometimes exaggerate the struggles involved in landing a prize catch, motorcyclists don’t need to embellish when storytelling because the truth alone is usually sufficient. Maine “Ted” Smith of Cheshire had such …
Read More »New England’s Rural Roads In Poor Shape
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Motorcyclists who ride the back roads of New England know just how bad they can be. Potholes, cracks and uneven pavement can make maneuvering a challenge. A new report released this week by the non-profit national transportation research group TRIP confirms it, revealing that the New England …
Read More »Vintage Bikes At Vanilla Bean
POMFRET, CT – As usual, the parking lot at the Vanilla Bean Cafe was filled with motorcycles on Sunday morning, but some heads turned when Charlie Gallo of Mansfield, CT rode in on his 1929 Harley-Davidson JD and parked next to a 1924 Ace owned by Dan Emerson of Woodstock, …
Read More »BSA, Velocette Shine At Thompson Show
THOMPSON, CT – Some bikes can grab your attention instantly. The 1960 Velocette MSS owned by Rick Price of Chester, CT did just that as it was being unloaded from the back of a pickup at the Thompson Vintage Motorcycle Classic. So did the 1971 BSA Rocket 3 owned by …
Read More »Thompson Vintage Motorcycle Classic Improves
THOMPSON, CT – What a difference a year and five weeks makes. It was under a sunny sky filled with puffy clouds that shirt-sleeved riders enjoyed the 2nd annual Thompson Vintage Motorcycle Classic on Sunday at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. The warm day was a huge difference from the …
Read More »Doc’s Expands To Serve Dirt Bikers
WATERBURY, CT – The recent closure of Adams of Oakville, the former Honda and Suzuki dealer nearby, and a “family pet project” have combined to prompt Doc’s Motorcycle Parts to expand its business into providing parts and gear for motocross and dirt bike enthusiasts. “We’re a motorcycle shop. Those are motorcycles,” …
Read More »Connecticut D.M.V. Shortchanges Motorcyclists
WETHERSFIELD, CT – Are motorcyclists second class citizens in Connecticut? It seems that way. I recently received a tip from a rider and reader Chris Hinze of Middletown, CT who complained that the state Department of Motor Vehicles is discriminating against motorcyclists by not allowing us to research online the …
Read More »Overnight Thefts At Manchester Honda
MANCHESTER, CT – Thieves smashed the front doors of Manchester Honda-KTM-Husqvarna overnight and made off with two KTM dirt bikes as well as one Husqvarna motorcycle. Surveillance video captured the culprits, mostly dressed in black hoodies, lifting the bikes out of the store through a door and loading them into …
Read More »British Iron Association Show Has Rare Beauties
OXFORD, MA – The Union Jack flapped in the breeze atop a flagpole at the Singletary Rod & Gun Club on Sunday as hundreds of British bike lovers converged for the 27th annual motorcycle show and swap meet staged by the British Iron Association of Massachusetts. Sprinkled among the dozens …
Read More »Stolen Motorcycles Back At New England Motorcycle Museum
ROCKVILLE, CT – Two dirt bikes stolen from the New England Motorcycle Museum around 2 a.m. Wednesday have been recovered and the thieves have been arrested, according to a Thursday night post on Facebook by museum owner Ken Kaplan, who had offered a $1,000 reward. “They’re back,” Kaplan proclaimed in …
Read More »Fire Damages Shop Of Late Indian Expert
TORRINGTON, CT – A midday fire heavily damaged the unoccupied residence and shop of late Indian expert George Yarocki. Firefighters from the Torrington Fire Department responded quickly to 679 Riverside Ave. and prevented three vintage motorcycles valued at more the $50,000 from being destroyed. Saved were a 1931 Indian 101 …
Read More »“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” Author Dies
SOUTH BERWICK, ME – Reclusive author Robert M. Pirsig, who wrote the 1974 best-seller “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values,” died at his home here on Monday. He was 88. Pirsig had lived in the York County community for the past 30 years.
Read More »Happy Easter At Toymakers Cafe
FALLS VILLAGE, CT – Celebrants of the Church of Two Wheels joined for an Easter gathering at Toymakers Cafe this morning. The non-denominational get-together was attended by many BMW, Honda, Moto Guzzi, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha owners. Surprisingly, no Ducati, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson or Indian followers arrived – at least not …
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