Up To Speed

Over the years, RIDE-CT & RIDE-NewEngland has written about many forgotten brands and obscure models. Not many folks today recall the Neracar or the Schickel from the U.S., the James or the Sunbeam from the U.K., or the Griffon from France. For every brand, though, there is an enthusiast. Dipping …

WILLIMANTIC, CT – There’s always a risk when visiting an eatery a second time that it won’t measure up to pleasant memories of an initial visit. A stop this week at the Willimantic Brewing Company/Main Street Cafe fortunately confirmed my positive first impression. The atmosphere was enjoyable, the service prompt …

ITASCA, IL – As many as 40,000 people died in motor vehicle accidents last year, according to the National Safety Council, whose estimate is based on preliminary data from 2016. That’s a six percent increase over 2015 and a 14 percent increase over 2014; the most dramatic two-year rise since …

EAST TROY, WI – Another one bites the dust. First Polaris announced that Victory was going out of business. Now, EBR says it’s ceasing production, too. In a press release issued this afternoon, EBR said the company “will begin a wind down of production operations commencing next week. EBR will continue …

Polaris Industries blindsided Victory dealers and customers this morning by announcing that it’s pulling the plug on the 18-year-old, American-made brand. Calling the brand’s exit “an incredibly difficult decision,” Polaris Chairman and CEO Scott Wine said in a news release that Victory’s end will allow the company to concentrate its efforts …

NEW YORK – When a motorcycle looks better suited for display in a museum of modern art than for comfortably ripping along twisty roads, its sales potential has to be questioned. Add a price tag of $30,000 and a riding position that could conceivably have target buyers wincing from lower back …

NEW YORK – Lyrics to the song “N.Y.C.” from the musical “Annie” extol the city’s virtues crowing “You’re big, you’re loud, you’re tough” before proudly proclaiming “You’re standing room only, you crowd, you cramp, you’re still the champ.” How true that is – unless you happened to be at the …

NEW YORK – Team Pro-Motion, the Pennsylvania company that hosts track days at various race courses in the eastern U.S., hopes to be back at Lime Rock Park in 2017, although it has yet to confirm dates for the coming year with the track in Salisbury, CT.

NEW YORK – Nick Beaulieu of Forever Two Wheels in Windham, ME calls his newest creation “The Hate Machine,” but seeing how much loving attention he gave the polished aluminum machine at the

NEW YORK – It may have been second runner-up in Victory’s recent “Operation Octane” dealer custom build contest, but the motorcycle dubbed “Bar Fighter” and entered by MOMS Boston got prominent display at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show over the weekend. Crafted with the help of Mark Tempesta of Breaklites …

VERNON, CT – Ken Kaplan’s stalled dream of opening a massive motorcycle museum and entertainment complex in the Rockville section has received a boost from the Town Council, which voted 9-2 on Tuesday night to apply for

BOSTON – The word “stat” means “without delay” and it certainly applies to watching some breathtaking and informative new videos on the Isle of Man TT races posted this week on the website called Stat

NEW YORK – It’s time once again to jump in the car, hop on the train or both and head to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The annual Progressive International Motorcycle Show is this weekend. The IMS features new models from

BROOKLYN – The new Vanguard motorcycle company makes its existence official today with the release of info and pictures of its debut roadster model. Slated for production in 2018, the pommel horse-looking roadster will be assembled at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and have a premium price tag starting at $29,995. …

BETHEL, CT – Declaring in a Facebook post this morning that “motorcycling is a refuge,” Hamlin Cycles owner Jim Hamlin firmly deemed political and religious talk to be off-limits at his Moto Guzzi and Motus dealership here.