Up To Speed

PICKERINGTON, OH – The American Motorcyclist Association has locked in July 5-7, 2019 as the dates for next year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH. Honda will be the featured marque as well as sponsor of the event, which includes vintage racing in …

LITTLE NECK, NY – Dealers and manufacturers have always had an “interesting” relationship. They very much need each other but are occasionally at odds when it comes to certain details of that relationship.  In general, manufacturers (OEM) hold the larger share of power when it comes to product, pricing, and …

COLOGNE, GERMANY – Indian Motorcycle today unveiled two new non-cruiser models for 2019 and used the INTERMOT trade show here to do it. The flat track-inspired FTR 1200 and FTR 1200 S models will arrive in dealer showrooms next spring with MSRPs of $12,999 and $14,999, respectively. Both models are …

MILWAUKEE – In a move announced today that’s bound to have a negative impact on its dealers, Harley-Davidson has opened an online store with retail giant Amazon. It’s offering “select Harley-Davidson apparel and riding gear.” Merchandise is available as of today, with two-day shipping for Amazon Prime members. Harley-Davidson expects …

It takes gumption, fortitude and a hefty checkbook to ride a pre-1929 motorcycle from coast-to-coast. Eight men and women from across New England, including three from Connecticut, did just that this month. They were among the nearly 125 riders who registered to compete in the biennial rally known as the …

As much as some riders might wish it were so, it wasn’t Harley-Davidson (or even Indian) that invented the V-twin engine that has been the staple power plant of motorcycles for well over a century. In fact, the V-twin wasn’t even invented in the United States. No, its origin can …

WATERBURY, CT – A warm, sun-drenched day brought out a crowd on Sunday to Doc’s Customer Appreciation Day and Bike Show that also included numerous vendors. Here are some pictures from the annual event:

KENT, CT – Making a good first impression can set the tone for a relationship, and a recent introduction to a 2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan courtesy of Iron Horse Customs/Royal Enfield of Kent began positively. Having thrown my right leg over the 31.5-inch seat, I instantly discovered that I could …

KEENE, NH – The first leg of the 2018 Motorcycle Cannonball from Portland, ME to Portland, OR had mostly finished by late Saturday afternoon, although a few stragglers were still riding their vintage motorcycles into the parking lot at the Best Western Plus motel. Riders and their mechanics were already studiously …

GAYLORDSVILLE, CT – There are always those places in your locale that you continually pass by and just never really notice – until a heavenly smell comes billowing your way and draws you in. Enter The Old Oak Tavern. Established in 2016, it’s located at the southern end of South …

Maybe it’s because the weather’s finally beginning to cool, but September offers several well-run motorcycle events to attend and more. This month is highlighted by the Japanese meet Rice-O-Rama, the Italian meet IMOC and the annual classic European meet at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum. Here are the dates and …

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The American-made premium sport bike brand Motus has lost its financing and abruptly shut down. Its founders announced in a Facebook post on Friday night that the company has ceased operations after 10 years, a move that stunned dealers and owners when the news began spreading today. …

FALLS VILLAGE, CT – Lime Rock Park stages its Historic Festival 36 this weekend. The annual event kicked off Thursday evening with a parade of vintage race cars and other memorable models through parts of northwestern Connecticut, ending in Falls Village for a brief show. The featured marque for this …

VERNON, CT – It’s commonplace to go to motorcycle shows and see as many interesting bikes in the parking lot as in the show itself, and that was the case Saturday at the opening of the New England Motorcycle Museum. The “Café Fever” event attracted riders who brought their café …

VERNON, CT – Asked on Saturday afternoon at the opening of the New England Motorcycle Museum what his plans for Sunday were, museum founder Ken Kaplan replied simply, “Sleep.” He quietly added, “I haven’t slept much in the last couple weeks.” The Café Fever motorcycle show that officially launched the …