Up To Speed

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! …

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson has never been known for manufacturing small or affordable motorcycles, but with sales crashing and its customer base aging out of riding, the company now plans to offer low-cost, entry-level models. Again. While this strategy has failed in the past, Harley-Davidson said Wednesday that it hopes to …

HARWINTON, CT – Peter Egan is revered among car and motorcycle enthusiasts for his many contributions to “Road & Track” and “Cycle World” magazines over the decades; mainly the “Side Glances” and “Leanings” columns that were later collected into book form. His columns mixed romance with nuance, precise details with scope, …

PALMER, MA – Back in late May, and for the first time in my long riding career, I participated in a day-long, track-based motorcycle training course at Palmer Motorsports Park. As a 25-year Motorcycle Safety Foundation-certified rider coach, I’ve always fully supported continuous improvement through rider education and practice, but …

COLEBROOK, CT – In a decision announced this evening, Norbrook Farm Brewery has abruptly ended “structured cruise nights” on Thursdays that welcomed classic cars, trucks and motorcycles due to excessive noise by some of the owners who visited the quiet country setting. “It’s not worth upsetting neighbors who work hard, …

ALPHARETTA, GA – It’s a milestone worth bragging about, and Honda did so today with a press release touting that it has built 500 million motorcycles since beginning mass production in Japan in 1949. The first model produced 76 years ago was the 1949 Dream D-Type (shown above). Honda was …