Up To Speed

Making the transition from newbie to experienced rider takes more than time. It requires putting effort into practicing physical riding skills, improving situational awareness, and ensuring your motorcycle and riding gear are ready for the roads ahead.  For this column, I’ve tapped the expertise of some Connecticut Rider Education Program …

An apparent standoff between CT State Community College and the Connecticut Rider Education Program over pricing for motorcycle training courses in 2026 has stalled the start of enrollment for those classes at training locations across the state.  CONREP employees tell RIDE-CT that CT State is seeking a massive 46 percent …

EAST DURHAM, NY – It was an annual meet that catered to Matchless, AJS and other British motorcycle owners, but was open to dedicated members of the broader riding community. Sadly, after staging of the 48th Jampot Vintage Motorcycle Rallye at the Blackthorne Resort here n 2025, event head John …

Haven’t we seen this movie before? Here’s the plotline. Harley-Davidson diverts from past design practice and unveils a concept of a sporty, non-cruiser model and seeks public response. Time passes and, well, nothing comes to fruition. At least not in 2019 or 2020. Here it is 2026 and Harley-Davidson is …

He was known as “Zorro,” a nickname given Wayne Bidwell by his wife, a native of Colombia. “My middle name is Fox,” he explained a few years ago in a profile written on his two-wheeled adventures that was included in a cookbook produced by a cafe that he often visited. …

We all have stories about disappointing experiences at motorcycle dealerships. A recent article on advrider.com reviewed some of the more common complaints. Judging by the reader comments, it seems that most folks agree that dealers are seriously failing their customers. Rather than pile on with my horror stories, I’d like …

PLAINVILLE, CT – The showroom at used motorcycle dealer and repair shop Powerhouse Motorsports at 151 East Street in Plainville stands empty, except for a vintage Indian police trike, a few motorcycle jackets hanging on a rack and a table surrounded by chairs. A large paper sign hanging in the …

A new video shared over the weekend to a group of guys that I sometimes ride with caught my attention and spurred some commenting. It was created by a YouTuber who calls himself Copperdawg. He’s a 61-year-old rider from central Florida who shares his thoughts and opinions on riding. The …

It has been a long slog with untold roadblocks for the revived BSA motorcycle brand to ramp up and eventually return to the United States, but RIDE-CT can now report that it has signed two dealers in the Northeast, although neither is in Connecticut. They are jointly-owned Royal Enfield of …

BROOKLYN, NY – Interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and not staged since, the popular Split’n Lanes Dodgin’ Gutters classic motorcycle show is getting revived at the Brooklyn Bowl bowling alley in 2026. The invitational event, which has drawn show bikes and spectators from Connecticut, will be staged from …

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – In a shocker of an announcement today, Polaris Inc. said it’s getting rid of Indian. It plans to separate Indian Motorcycle into a standalone business and will sell a majority stake to the private equity firm Carolwood LP. The transaction is expected to close in the first …

WATERBURY, CT – It’s a summer tradition at Doc’s Motorcycle Parts. The store’s offers thanks to its customers and stages a motorcycle show. Today’s 56th event attracted dozens of interesting models, both in Doc’s parking lot and across the street. What stood out this year was the vibrancy of many …

LAKEVILLE, CT – Motorcycles are always kind of a minor attraction at the Sunday in the Park show at Lime Rock Park on Labor Day Weekend, but the ones that are shown always seem to worth viewing. This year’s two-wheel display was dominated by Triumph and Honda models. RIDE-CT snapped …

Time flies. It has been nearly 15 years since Connecticut mandated that all prospective riders successfully complete a motorcycle safety course to get an “M” endorsement on a driver license, yet I feel safe in suggesting that there are still many riders out on the roads who have never taken …

MILWAUKEE, WI – Harley-Davidson this morning named a new president and chief executive officer to replace the departing Jochen Zeitz. Artie Starrs comes to the motorcycle maker from Topgolf Callaway Brands where he has served as CEO of its Topgolf International subsidiary. Between 2013 and 2021 he worked for Yum! …