Up To Speed

By Bud Wilkinson Michigan repealed its helmet law in 2012, allowing riders 21 and older to go lid-free, but similar efforts in other states since then have failed. Two attempts this year to wipe helmet laws from the book, including one in New England, failed. In the Vermont legislature, the …

It’s the longest-running British Motorcycle Meet in the country, and this years’s 36th annual event staged by the BSA Owners Club of New England will move to a new location at the Bolton Fairgrounds on Route 117 in Lancaster, MA. The meet includes a bike show and motorcycle flea market …

By Bud Wilkinson The arrival of spring not only means a return to riding, but also motorcycle meets and shows. There are at least three planned over the next few weeks and spread over the region. The most intriguing is… – The New England Air Museum Motorcycle Show, a first-time event …

Are you a sci-fi buff? Yamaha is taking a futuristic approach in promoting its new three-wheeled Tricity scooter by creating an imaginary place called “Rev STATION” where new models are created.  In a recently-revealed online introduction of Rev STATION, Yamaha tells of a 21st Century where “the Earth was weakening” …

By Bud Wilkinson There’s an old saying that there’s no such thing as bad publicity. There’s some truth to it. Notoriety is better than no one knowing that you exist. But what about the error-strewn case of TV exposure? The good news is that the grand opening party at Indian …

Honda today used the 30th Osaka Motorcycle Show to unveil an outrageous “exhibition model” that’s destined for production. Dubbed the NM4, the model features “Front Massive Styling” with a “low-setup cockpit position and adjustable backrest.” It’s powered by a 745cc, two-cylinder engine, has a dual clutch transmission and a large …

By Bud Wilkinson Oil drippings… – Burt Ives Honda in Columbia, CT isn’t expected to re-open until late April. That’s well after the original target of February. The dealership, which dates back to the 1930s, was acquired last fall by Ken Ives Jr. who bought it from his father. Remodeling, however, …

It was an overcast day in July 2007 that Woodrow “Pack” Landfair rode his 1995 Suzuki Intruder from Massachusetts into Connecticut on what was a year-long quest to visit the 48 contiguous states. I met up with him, rode with him for a spell and wrote about him in my …

By Bud Wilkinson Harley-Davidson of Danbury and Brothers’ Harley-Davidson in Branford, CT were recently named Silver Bar & Shield Circle of Achievement award-winners for the 2013 calendar year. The dealerships were recognized for their sales prowess, for their customer service and satisfaction, and for other business acumen. Gengras Harley-Davidson in …

By Bud Wilkinson Independent filmmakers Eric Ristau and Geneva Liimatta of Missoula, MT are going the crowd-sourcing route to fund their latest effort – a documentary about motorcyclists who ride with their four-legged friends. The movie will be titled “Sit Stay Ride: The Story of America’s Sidecar Dogs.” Shooting has …

By Bud Wilkinson Packed in suitcase that’s stowed somewhere in my house is a leisure suit from the ’70s. It’s lemon yellow in color, made of polyester and in such good condition that it could be placed on a mannequin and sold as new. It belonged to my long-dead father. He …

By Bud Wilkinson After a Facebook friend added a PSA to my wall last week that implores drivers to be aware of motorcyclists, I found a vintage video clip from the U.K. that provides the same message. It was posted here Thursday. Since then, I’ve been wondering if there are …

By Bud Wilkinson Daytona Bike Week has claimed the life of a rider from Springfield, MA and police suspect that alcohol was involved. New Smyrna Beach police Sgt. Eugene Griffith tells the Daytona Beach “News-Journal” that 46-year-old Mark Twining suffered fatal injuries when he and another rider, 29-year-old Robert Wilson, …

By Bud Wilkinson “Link of the Week” took a week off last weekend due to a day-long road trip (on four wheels, unfortunately) and a day devoted to volunteering. So, to make up for that shortcoming, two suggestions from contributing columnist Bob Rosen are posted today. One of them touts a …

Take a look at the above picture of a new 2015 Yamaha model. Do you see it? Look closer. Have you spotted it yet? You’re looking not for a part that’s missing, rather for one that’s included. See it yet? Yes, it’s a kick-starter. Not only is Yamaha’s SR400 retro-looking, …