Up To Speed

Oil Drippings: News and Opinion

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com No word of whether we’ll be seeing it here, but London-based Gaucho Productions has produced an eight-part documentary on the Honda TT Legends’ 2012 road racing season, which takes in the Isle of Man TT. The first episode premieres Feb. 4 on ITV4 in the …

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Maine Bill Would Require Helmets for All Riders

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com A bill in the Maine legislature that would require all riders to wear helmets has been referred to committee. Proposed by Rep. Paulette Beaudoin, a Democrat from Biddeford, the bill was sent Tuesday to the Transportation Committee. A similar bill introduced by Beaudoin in 2009 …

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No Computer, No Email, But A Website for “Wild Bill”

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com He doesn’t own a computer, and consequently doesn’t have an email address, but friend William “Wild Bill” Eggers of Goshen, CT now has a website to show off his limited-edition, custom creations. Bill’s built wooden replicas of the 1867 Roper steam-driven motorcycle (pictured) and the …

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Burt Munro’s Scout Gets Fired Up

 By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com It belched a flame or two from its exhaust pipes and was so loud that some observers covered their ears, but to hear the road of Burt Munro’s 1920 Indian Scout at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in New York over the weekend was a …

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IMS in New York Brings Out Riders

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com NEW YORK – The end result of a long ride is often a sore butt. The end result of hours spent pounding the floor of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show is sore feet, and this year’s event this weekend was no exception. While no manufacturer …

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New York “IMS” Begins Three-Day Run Friday

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com It’s the winter ice-breaker, the cold season refresher, the chance to see motorcycles and talk motorcycles with friends during the down time when it’s often impossible to ride. The Progressive International Motor Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York opens its …

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Harley’s “Freedom Jacket” On Worldwide Journey

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com As part of its 110th anniversary celebration, Harley-Davidson has enlisted riders from all over the globe to take a single black jacket – the “Freedom Jacket” – on a worldwide adventure. The jacket is passing from rider to rider and the riders are sharing their …

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Proposed Bills in CT of Interest to Riders

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com The Connecticut General Assembly is in session and among the proposed bills getting a look-see in Hartford are: H.B. 5181, proposed by Republican Rep. DebraLee Hovey, would “require any person in the state who owns an all-terrain vehicle to register such vehicle.” A fine would …

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Study Tracks Rider Habits to Improve Safety

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com A study is underway to observe the real-life habits of riders. More than 100 riders have had their motorcycles fitted with cameras to record all that happens on the road. WBBH-TV has the story: NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral — More to …

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Oil Drippings: News and Opinion

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com What better way to kick off a 110th anniversary celebration than with a burnout? That’s what Harley-Davidson has done: — Let’s see… The ice in the driveway has been chipped. The Battery Tender was plugged in overnight. There was something that I want to do …

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Revised Triumph Tiger Gets “Sport” Name

By Bud Wilkinson of of RIDE-CT.com British biker-maker Triumph today announced a model makeover for 2013 with the Tiger 1050 becoming the Tiger Sport. The adventure bike gets new bodywork, revised rider and passenger ergonomics, and a 10 horsepower power boost to 123 horsepower. Triumph reports the new model now …

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NHTSA Proposes Adding Sound to Electrics

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has posted a “notice of proposed rulemaking” to establish minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles, including motorcycles. “This standard would ensure that blind, visually-impaired and other pedestrians are able to detect and recognize nearby hybrid and electric …

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Coolbeth Takes to Ice in Off-Season

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Unlike street motorcycles, flat track bikes don’t have rear-view mirrors. If they did, though, pro racer Kenny Coolbeth Jr. of Morris would certainly say that he’s extremely glad to see last year disappearing in the distance behind the torquey bikes that he rides in AMA …

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Indonesian Government to Review Proposed Ban

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com A ban on women passengers straddling a motorcycle – proposed by the mayor of Lhokseumawe in the Indonesian province of Aceh on the northern tip of Sumatra island – will be reviewed by the government of Indonesia, “The Jakarta Globe” reports in a story today. …

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