Up To Speed

HUDSON, MA – When is a motorcycle not a motorcycle? One answer may be when it doesn’t have a rear wheel, rather two treads. Tucked in a corner at the newly-opened American Heritage Museum here is such a vehicle – a German-built “”Kettenkrad” from World War II. Formally known as …

CAMBRIDGE, MA – A warm and sunny evening brought out riders to the fourth Wild Rabbit Community Moto Show on Saturday. The event, staged by Madhouse Motors in Boston, was held at Naco Taco on Massachusetts Ave. and attracted riders of all ages on all types of motorcycles. “Something we’re really …

MINNEAPOLIS – Indian Motorcycle has started a rental program that will enable riders to hop aboard an Indian for either a short jaunt or a multi-day excursion, but bikes will initially only be available at nine dealerships nationally. None are in the Northeast. In announcing its rental program this week, …

There are four used motorcycles sold for every one new bike, and most dealers sell used bikes at a rate of less than one used for every new. That means that there are a lot of bikes changing hands in the private sector.  It’s become much easier to sell your …

BRISTOL, CT – Parked just inside the front door of Yankee Harley-Davidson on Route 6 here and cordoned off by red velvet ropes is a stunning red, white and blue 2019 Road Glide model. A sign on its seat warns “DO NOT SIT ON BIKE!” and an invoice attached to …

The ranks of female riders are steadily growing, and it’s high time that this demographic is recognized by the increasingly profit-challenged motorcycle industry. Later this year, ladies will come out in force for the Women Riders World Relay (WRWR). What better way to unite women on two wheels and gain …

HINCKLEY, LEICESTERSHIRE – It’s even bigger and even more expensive than the previous Rocket 3. Triumph today announced a new, limited-edition Rocket 3 TFC model for 2019, with a larger 2,458cc, three-cylinder engine and heftier $29,000 price tag. Boasting 168 horsepower but weighing more than 88 pounds less than the …

Time for another Staff Inflection. This time RIDE-CT & RIDE-NewEngland’s columnists comment on the worst stuff they’ve ever purchased. Not motorcycles, rather gear, parts and accessories that they’ve acquired over the years. In one case, the item wasn’t bad, just unnecessary, while another was outright junk. Except for the belt …

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson saw its year-to-year Q1 sales drop 4.2 percent in the United States and 3.8 percent worldwide. The company sold 28,091 motorcycles in the U.S. from January through March (down from 29,309 in 2018) and 49,151 worldwide (down from 51,086). In releasing its first quarter statement this morning, …

HARWINTON, CT – Bills often get paid with nary a glance. Go online, log in, look at the amount due, and click “submit payment.” I did that last week when the registration renewal arrived for my pickup truck. The process was quick and easy. Thanks DMV. Included in the tab was …

SALISBURY, CT – Morning rain may have eventually given way to intermittent afternoon drizzle, but the combination conspired to seriously curtail attendance at the inaugural Ride1 Rally. The event, held today at Lime Rock Park and designed to kick off the riding season in southern New England, didn’t draw many …

CHESTER, VT – There have been plenty of years when my riding season began back in March. Sound silly? Well, when I was a young married man with one car and a child on the way, having a motorcycle was often a Godsend. If I dressed properly, I could make …

MUNICH – No matter that it already makes exceptional touring, adventure and sport bikes, BMW seems to have a serious case of cruiser envy that it just can’t shake. Included in a BMW press release earlier this week was the news that the German manufacturer will make a stab at …

MILWAUKEE – Union workers at Harley-Davidson factories in Wisconsin have approved a new contract offered by the company that includes a 14 percent wage increase over five years. According to a story by Rick Barrett in the “Journal Sentinel” newspaper, the deal also includes “a signing bonus, no changes to …

HARTFORD – How long motorcycle dealer Bruce J. Bemer will be sentenced to prison for his involvement with a sex ring won’t be known until June when a judge sentences him, but the “Hartford Courant” newspaper stridently threw the book at him in an online editorial posted Thursday. “He deserves …