Up To Speed

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com The motorcycle industry is in tough shape. Sales have flat-lined, dealerships are closing, baby bo0mers are either not buying or giving up riding altogether.  A few sparkling new models not withstanding, there’s not a lot in the way of new product, either. It’s a new reality that …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com I’m an admitted Triumph lover. Maybe it’s because my first bike was a Triumph – a 1999 Legend. Maybe it’s because I currently have a 1969 T100R Daytona (with kick start, right foot shift and left foot rear brake) in the garage. Maybe it’s because my …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com For months, Triumph has been staging an online video teaser campaign for its upcoming 2011 Tiger 800 models – for one street use, the other more dirt friendly. It eventually reached the point where Trumpet enthusiasts were screaming, “Enough! Just show us the damn bike.” Triumph apparently acquiesced …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com That Erik Buell would be back with a new street motorcycle has been pretty evident in recent months, but now he’s given Hell for Leather magazine an in-depth interview on the future of Erik Buell Racing. He also gave his take on the future status …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com  Motorcycle deaths always make headlines, and the reasons for them are well known. Distracted and unobservant drivers, alcohol and inadequate rider skills all contribute. Less is written about off-road fatalities and the results of new study by Johns Hopkins researchers released Wednesday revealed that four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles are much …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com A total of 19 married couples used a glorious autumn day over the weekend to ride their Harley-Davidsons and renew their marriage vows at Ocean State Harley-Davidson in Exeter, R.I. A justice of the peace performed the ceremony. “The Providence Journal” has the story.

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com If you didn’t ride over the weekend, you’d better have a damn good excuse. The sun was shining, the air was crisp and the leaves were changing. My only regrets yesterday morning were not grabbing my cold weather riding gloves and not putting on long underwear. …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com If you’re old enough, think “Dragnet” for a moment. I was working the day watch out of traffic control. That’s fancy way of saying I got to direct traffic yesterday at the entrance to the Harwinton Fair in my uniform as a member of the Harwinton Fire …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com After 38 years of selling and servicing motorcycles, Canton Cycles in Winsted is closing. “Plain and simple – the economy got us. Nothing is selling. Service has flat-lined,” said majority owner Ralph DeLuco. The Victory line has has already been relinguished. Kawasaki, Royal Enfield and Ural will all …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Some days the bike(s) should just be left in the garage. A recent Sunday was one of those days. While Sunday morning is often reserved for rejuvenating worship at the Church of Two Wheels, otherwise known riding amidst nature’s beauty, Sept. 19th was problematic. For …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com It reportedly wasn’t supposed to happen until the start of 2011, but New England Cycle Center in Hartford has become a Victory dealer more than three months early after Canton Cycles in Winsted abruptly relinquished the cruiser and touring brand last week. Victory signage has been …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com So, how’s Ed Zalonski and his 1910 Flying Merkel doing in the Motorcycle Cannonball endurance run from Kitty Hawk, N.C. to Santa Monica, Calif.?  The answer appears to be not very well and fantastic. I’ve been meaning to call Zalonski (on the right in picture) on the road to …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Today’s RIDE-CT column in “The Republican-American” about last weekend’s Rice-O-Rama motorcycle show and swap meet includes comments from Larry Tashjian of Torrington. He owns a 1981 Honda CX500 and was quoted in the column as well in a post here September 12. The newspaper neglected to include a picture …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com It’s Saturday morning, still dark outside, a half-cup of coffee has been downed and motorcycle thoughts are already rushing through my head. Know the feeling? I’m meeting later this morning with a guy who wants to see a 1985 BMW K100RS that I have for sale …

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com Some of the best motorcycle “advertising” these days is found online where manufacturers post teaser videos and action footage. Moto Guzzi is out with an artistic new video of its 2011 V7 Racer. After watching it in action, I wanted one, but I do suffer from …