Up To Speed

By Bud Wilkinson WATERBURY, CT – From a sales standpoint, Harley-Davidson’s 1971 FX Super Glide model was an unmitigated flop. It was such an ugly duckling that only 4,700 of the ‘boat-tail” model were sold. “It was so untraditional for Harley that people just wouldn’t accept it,” recalled Cosimo “Doc” …

By Bud Wilkinson KENT, CT – Finally, relief from the roar. A solution to a nagging problem that should make riding more satisfying and cause fewer headaches. It was 18 months ago that I acquired a peppy used 2014 Triumph Bonneville from Mark’s Motorsports in Enfield, CT. The original owner …

DES PLAINES, IL – In a report that can be viewed as reassuring to riders in the region, the New England states were among the lowest in motorcycle thefts in 2018, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Nationally, 41,674 motorcycles (and scooters) were stolen in 2018, a six percent …

STURBRIDGE, MA – John Harris, the president of the Italian Motorcycle Owners Club, recalls the first motorcycle show that his organization staged decades ago. “We held it in somebody’s pasture in Killingly (CT). There were five or six people altogether,” said Harris, who has witnessed the show grow into what …

WATERBURY, CT – Doc’s Motorcycle Parts hosts a customer appreciation day and bike show every September, but this year’s was special as it marked the store’s 50th anniversary. A sizable crowd came to 1625 Thomaston Ave. today to admire the entries, chow down on hot dogs, and to do some …

VERNON, CT – The colorful owner of the New England Motorcycle Museum, who frequently has railed against law-breaking bike thieves in the past, has been charged by police for allegedly breaking some laws himself, according to local news reports. The “Journal Inquirer” newspaper in Manchester and the Vernon “Patch” website …

By Steve Smith NAUGATUCK, CT – You’ve been riding for a while. You’re no longer a fresh-from-class “newbie,” rather a novice street rider with some actual seat time. In progressing from novice status to being an experienced rider, though, it’s easy to become complacent and to forget to apply the …

By Bud Wilkinson THOMASTON, CT – Nothing’s settled. No decision has been made on the route that the Naugatuck Valley Greenway will take from the Torrington line southward to the Thomaston Dam, but recent discussions involving planners and concerned parties have apparently come up with a possible solution that may …

WASHINGTON, CT – It was known as the “Christmas Special” because it was sent to dealers in December. Only about 3,000 of the limited edition 1986 Honda Z50RD minibike were ever built, and they only went to select dealers. So rare are these chrome models today that used ones can …

By Victoria Zandonella BRIDGEWATER, CT – There’s a disturbing phenomenon that has become increasingly common on social media – a disappointingly negative and antagonistic undercurrent between fellow motorcyclists.   This trend is concerning because these days it’s important to encourage new riders and to bring new people into the sport. …

MILWAUKEE –  How much longer will Harley-Davidson dealers remain patient and quiet when faced with the reality of the company’s continually collapsing sales? Maybe they have no choice. What are their options? Sell out? Close up shop? If I were a dealer, I’d be starting to get very itchy; unless …

BROOKLYN, NY – The fifth annual Split’n Lanes Dodgin’ Gutters vintage motorcycle show was staged Sunday at the Brooklyn Bowl. RIDE-CT & RIDE-NewEngland’s Bob Rosen shares some of the images he captured at the event:

BROOKLYN, NY – The fifth annual Split’n Lanes Dodgin’ Gutters vintage motorcycle show was staged Sunday afternoon at the Brooklyn Bowl. RIDE-CT & RIDE-NewEngland has this report:

NEW LEBANON, NY – It doesn’t have a tin roof, rusted or otherwise, but the The K Shack is a funky little shack that has been serving up shrimp tacos, pulled pork and other roadside fare for slightly more than six weeks, having opened on July 4. Owner Kelly Hagan …

PROSPECT, CT – Al Betts of Prospect rides a remarkable 30-year-old survivor. It’s a 1989 Harley-Davidson FLHTC, an Electra Glide Classic model that he bought new. Its black paint is faded and cracked, the seat is ripped, and the engine and transmission have been rebuilt. As of last Tuesday evening, …