Up To Speed

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com What comes after Turkey Day? How about Duck Day? Earlier this week, friend and reader Bob Rosen sent along a picture that he took recently while on a ride to eastern Long Island. It was of the Big Duck, an example of what he explained …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com It’s Thanksgiving! It’s a holiday to share with family and friends. Time permitting, it’s also a time to pause and give thanks. This holiday, among many things, I’m thankful for the friends that I frequently ride with and the many riders that I meet along …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Hunter S. Thompson’s memorable “Song of the Sausage Creature” about being loaned a Ducati 900SP, which originally appeared in “Cycle World” in March 1995, is reprinted in the December issue of the magazine. If you’ve never read it, it’s worth driving 20 miles to find …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com “Entertainment Weekly” and EW.com are reporting that Discovery Channel is bringing “American Chopper” to an end in December after 10 years and 233 episodes. No longer will Paul Teutel Sr. (pictured above) and his son, Paul Jr., battle it out – at least on TV …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com One of the biggest irritants for motorcycle dealers is having someone come in and try on gear or examine an accessory … and then leave and buy the item for less online. Forget irritating. How about infuriating, especially when big-volume online retailers can sometimes sell …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Can’t wait for the “Guzzi Guys” – friends Gary Randall and Brian O’Neil, who both ride vintage Moto Guzzi Eldorados – to feast their eyes on the latest cruiser from the Italian motorcycle-maker. It’s the 2013 California 1400, just introduced at the EICMA show in …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Earlier this month, I wrote about Steve Luba, the Torrington motorcycle fanatic who built a “bitsa” bike from a 1975 Suzuki GT550. Well, he’s now out with another customized creation that began as a 1990 Harley-Davidson Softail Custom. The bike uses a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com More new 2013 releases from the world’s bike manufacturers and more to come: Over the weekend in Las Vegas, Suzuki introduced to dealers the all-new, entry-level GW250. It’s a  standard aimed to compete against Honda’s CBR250R and Kawasaki’s new Ninja 300. Powered by a 248cc, …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com What do you get when you mix a Multistrada with a Hypermotard? Ducati’s answer is the Hyperstrada (above), which was unveiled yesterday at the EICMA international show in Milan. The bike’s purpose is long-distance adventure touring and features a 110-horsepower, 821cc motor, as do two …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com For three years, ever since its release in Japan and Australia, motorcycle purists who fondly recalls the ground-breaking CB750 Four having been screaming for the importation of the retro CB1100. Guess what? Honda announced this morning that the CB1100 will be among six new models …

Update: The light bulb finally went on and I learned to properly tuck the laces down inside the boot. Having worn them now for nearly 18 months, I’ve found them to be comfortable and durable, so the rating gets revised upwards by one star. —– Ever put your feet down …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com New England Cycle Center in Hartford revealed this morning that it’s adding the Kawasaki line, while simultaneously confirming an item posted here nearly a month ago that Midtown Kawasaki in Rocky Hill was  apparently getting out of the business. “We expect bikes on the floor …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Brea, CA-based American Suzuki Motor Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today and announced it will stop selling automobiles in the United States. The company, which makes small cars and sport utility vehicles, including the Grand Vitara (pictured),  estimated that its debts and liabilities …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com The British Iron Association of Connecticut this afternoon announced the date for next year’s Brit Jam meet. It will be held Aug. 18, 2013. Brit Jam’s always a fun event that attracts riders of all makes and models,  not just lovers of Triumphs, Nortons and …

By Bud Wilkinson of  RIDE-CT.com It has become a fall tradition to ride to The Vanilla Bean Cafe when Yankee Beemers, a club of  BMW enthusiasts, holds its end of season ride-in at the Pomfret eatery. Yesterday was the day, so five of us made the chilly, 90-minute trek for …