FALLS VILLAGE, CT – Toymakers Cafe, the colorful eatery that catered to motorcyclists for nearly two decades before closing in early September, is planning a comeback. It will no longer be a full-scale restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, rather a spot to enjoy a cup of coffee and shop …
Read More »A Peppier Second Ride On A Harley-Davidson Pan America (Part Two)
MANCHESTER, NH – Having been “disappointed to be disappointed” upon taking a first test ride of a new Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 on Friday at a dealership that I dubbed “Dealer A,” I nonetheless kept my appointment for the second ride on Saturday at a different dealership. Everyone else …
Read More »First Ride On Harley-Davidson Pan America Disappoints (Part One)
NORTH HAMPTON, NH – Harley-Davidson’s new 2021 Pan America 1250 and Pan America 1250 Special seem to be all anyone in the ADV community can talk about these days – and for good reason. The Motor Company has broken new ground with this ground-up model. Spoiler alert: Harley-Davidson has done …
Read More »Freedom Road Harley-Davidson Replaces Brothers’ In Branford
BRANFORD, CT – With a promise to deliver a “fresh, energized approach,” the rebranded Freedom Road Harley-Davidson opened for business here on Thursday. It replaced Brothers’ Harley-Davidson, which sold out to FRG, LLC, co-owned by Mario Galasso of Southbury, CT and Mark Smith of West Hartford. “I’m excited for the …
Read More »Brothers’ Harley-Davidson Getting New Owner And New Name
(UPDATE: Friday, May 14 at 4:50 p.m. – New story with new owner’s perspective.) (UPDATE: Friday, May 14 at 9:50 a.m. – The sale of Brothers’ Harley-Davidson to FRG, LLC was completed Wednesday and the dealership began operating on Thursday as Freedom Road Harley-Davidson. RIDE-CT & RIDE-New England has so …
Read More »Manchester H-D’s Bikini Contest Prompts Social Media Backlash
MANCHESTER, NH – In a move that’s already alienating and aggravating a portion of its potential customers, Manchester Harley-Davidson has revealed plans to hold a “Miss Manchester H-D Bikini Contest” over the next three months. Skimpy cash prizes will be awarded for preliminary rounds on June 3 and July 1 …
Read More »Audrain Museum Exhibit Traces History of Motorcycles
NEWPORT, RI – More than a century’s worth of historically significant motorcycles have been gathered together by the Audrain Museum here for an exhibit titled “Balance of Power: The World on Two Wheels, 1885 to 1995.” The exhibit opened Feb. 20 and runs through May 23. Many of the bikes …
Read More »Laverda 1200 Was Expensive, But Has Served Owner For 33 Years
Spotted While Out Riding: 1978 Laverda 1200 All it took was a ride on a friend’s Laverda RGA1000 and the availability of a used 1978 Laverda 1200 for Louis Frazier of Stratford, CT to change his allegiance from one Italian brand to another. “It would take me faster than I’d …
Read More »Poll: Riders Ready To Go To Shows, New Poll On Spanish Glove Law
Motorcycle riders are ready to go to shows again. Nearly 75 percent of voters in the latest RIDE-CT & RIDE-New England poll indicated that they’d likely make their way to a show ground this year to gawk at bikes and socialize with other riders. Upwards of half – 44 percent …
Read More »Update: 1981 Honda CM400 Custom Sells For $650
ROCKY HILL, CT – “It worked out pretty good. It was fun but stressful,” real estate agent Mike Samulenas of Berlin, CT said Sunday afternoon, one day after finding a buyer for the 1981 Honda CM400 Custom that had been sitting for years in the garage of a condo that …
Read More »“Recipes For A Good Ride” Now In Motorcycles Shops And Dealerships
FALLS VILLAGE, CT – It’s now easier to buy “Recipes for a Good Ride – The Toymakers Cafe Cookery Book.” The motorcycle-themed cookbook is now available for purchase at a limited number of motorcycle shops and dealerships in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Brookfield Indian Motorcycle in Brookfield, CT; Doc’s Motorcycle Parts …
Read More »More Dealership Doings In Danbury Market Involve Kawasaki, Vespa, Piaggio
BROOKFIELD, CT – More brand movement in the Danbury, CT market. Danbury Powersports has taken on Kawasaki and Brookfield Indian Motorcycle is adding the Vespa and Piaggio scooter lines. The addition of Kawasaki gives Danbury Powersports all four of the major Japanese brands as it already sells Honda, Suzuki and …
Read More »Update: 1981 Honda CM400 Custom Runs, Title Found
ROCKY HILL, CT – Give real estate agent Mike Samulenas points for persistence. He’s been doing what he can to quickly get rid of a rather nice 1981 Honda CM400 Custom motorcycle that sits in the garage of a condo that he’s selling. The closing is set for Monday and …
Read More »Long Dormant Honda CM400 Custom Needs A New Owner – ASAP
ROCKY HILL, CT – Real estate agent Mike Samulenas of Berlin, CT has a motorcycle problem, and he contacted RIDE-CT & RIDE-New England on Friday seeking assistance. He’s selling a condo in Rocky Hill. The hitch is there’s a long dormant 1981 Honda CM400 Custom motorcycle parked in the garage. …
Read More »Easter Crash Provides Reminder For Riders, Others
WARWICK, MA – An Easter crash involving a member of small group of riders just south of the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border provides of a reminder for motorcyclists to always be on the lookout for road hazards. More importantly, it rams home the need for everyone else to be vigilant in …
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