Up To Speed

MEDINA, MN – After 12 years at the helm as CEO and chairman of Indian Motorcycle’s parent company, Polaris Inc., Scott Wine is leaving at year’s end to become CEO of London-based CNH Industrial, N.V. CNH Industrial is the maker of Case and New Holland agricultural equipment. Scott Wine In …

It was done successfully with Triumph, and while the jury is still out on whether a revived Norton brand will ultimately succeed, plans are underway to begin building BSA models again. Possibly as soon as mid-2021. Billionaire Anand Mahindra, chairman of the India-based Mahindra Group, tells “The Guardian” newspaper in …

BMW has issued a “stop sales order” for five popular models due to a “compliance issue” involving the brakes. Dealers have been prohibited for the past 11 days from selling the impacted models that represent nearly one-half of their sales. How long the sales ban lasts is uncertain.  The sales …

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson’s ongoing “rewire” effort to bolster its sagging fortunes continues, albeit in ways not as widely visible to street riders across the country as trimming its model lineup, postponing the release of new models or reducing the number of dealerships. It was revealed Wednesday that the company has …

MILWAUKEE, WI – Royal Enfield is expanding the lineup of motorcycles that it sells in the United States by going smaller with the new Meteor 350 model. The cruiser model, which will be available in the spring, will be offered in three trim versions known as the Fireball, the Stellar …

NAUGATUCK, CT – Getting a motorcycle endorsement in Connecticut (or anywhere) is always a challenging endeavor, but never more so than in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP) classes in the spring and forced safety-related changes for the remainder of the year at teaching sites that …

A major shakeup was announced Monday by Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The company will spin off its train and motorcycle and engine businesses next year. The restructuring is targeted for October 2021. No details were given on the new company that will build bikes but, in an update Tuesday, …

BETHEL, CT – After nearly three years as an Aprilia dealer, Hamlin Cycles is no longer selling the sporty Italian brand. “Today is our last day as an Aprilia dealer,” Hamlin Cycles owner Jim Hamlin revealed in a midday announcement on social media. The store will continue to sell Moto …

Triumph is out with an affordable new roadster model for 2021 with a name from the past – Trident. Due in dealerships in late January, the Trident 660 is a middleweight naked model with a sticker price of $7,995. It features a 660cc, three-cylinder engine that puts out 80 horsepower. …

MILWAUKEE – Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the United States dropped 10.3 percent in the third quarter of 2020, compared to 2019, while the company’s share of the 601+cc market dropped dramatically in Q3 to 41.4 percent from 49.8 percent a year ago. Worldwide, Harley-Davidson sales in Q3 were …

LAKE GEORGE, NY – No one know what the futures holds when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, but plans for an Americade motorcycle rally in 2021 are proceeding. The dates June 7-12 having been selected for the event’s return. “Interest in Americade 2021 is very high because so many …

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY – This year’s “Great Northeast Ice Cream Run,” searching out unique creameries that make their own ice cream from locally sourced ingredients and combining it with fun rides, has produced some tasty memories. I certainly hit the jackpot recently, though, with The Blue Pig, which added ice cream …

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – A decision on whether to stage the Springfield Motorcycle Show in January at the Eastern States Exposition may not be made for another four weeks, but promoter Doug Sousa suggested today that the odds are slim that the 16th annual show will be held. An alternative …

There comes a time for all motorcyclists when two wheels become too much. Either the body doesn’t allow the rider to easily toss a leg over a seat anymore or the bike becomes too heavy to hold up. The options are either to quit riding or find an alternative. The …

LITCHFIELD, CT – As the warmer months wane, we welcome the cozy comfort of autumn with hayrides and Halloween. The season also turns for our favorite frozen confection. Creameries all over the Northeast, such Peaches ‘N Cream, celebrate the season with a bounty of flavors for leaf peepers to enjoy. …