Up To Speed

MILAN, Italy – Need proof that its four 2015 Scrambler models were a hit for Ducati? The company announced today that more versions and variants are on the way. New for 2016 will be a Flat Track Pro version, based on the existing 803cc platform, as well as an all-new …

Should it be called a “baby Beemer?” BMW announced today a new sub-500cc model called the G 310 R. The single-cylinder, 350-pound roadster was “newly conceived from scratch,” the company said, and has an “agile, dynamic character.” The G 310 R is powered by a 313cc, liquid-cooled engine with a …

Sometimes a single week can offer a microcosm of an entire riding season – the highs and the lows, the dangerous and the ridiculous. That such a week would occur during a warm stretch in November may be uncommon but I’ll take it, rejoice and give a two-fingered acknowledgement to …

Indian is recalling 7,611 of its 2015 and 2016 Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, Chieftain, Roadmaster and 2016 Dark Horse models due to a problem with the rear brake master cylinder, which may cause a reduction or complete loss of rear brake power. The motorcycles were manufactured Jan. 2, 2015 to …

MILWAUKEE – Less than a month after announcing that it plans to beef up marketing in 2016 in the wake of declining sales, Harley-Davidson’s top marketing executive has left the company. Mark-Hans Richer (pictured) has been senior vice president of marketing and product development since 2007, having previously worked

Wow, more than a month has gone by without an installment of “If you had asked me, I would have told you that…” My bad. Too busy building up the wood supply for winter and getting in some late-season rides to sit down at the laptop. Consequently, some items have …

GROTON, CT – Jimmey Gonzalez is a 37-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who retired in August having been deployed most recently in the Middle East, including Jordan and Bahrain. He’s now enrolled at Middlesex Community College and one of his classes involves new media. “Every week we have a new assignment …

DES PLAINES, IL – Motorcycle thefts in the United States decreased six percent in 2014 with Honda the brand with the most bikes thefts, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. California ranked No. 1 as the state with the most thefts. Las Vegas the No. …

Is bigger better? Triumph is betting on it for 2016. The British company today announced five new models that have familiar names (or derivations) and larger engines – the new Street Twin, the Bonneville T120 and T120 Black, and the Thruxton and Thruxton R. Triumph touted the new models as …

As hoped for by Polaris Industries, its Indian brand is now doing what Victory has been unable to accomplish over the past 17 years – chip away at Harley-Davidson’s seemingly invincible hold on the heavyweight cruiser market in the United States. Victory was patriotically launched by Polaris on July 4, …

SALISBURY, CT – The reviews are in and motorcycle track enthusiasts love Lime Rock Park. A test track day today at the bucolic 1.5-mile racetrack in advance of formal track days in 2016 had riders praising the facility. Team Pro-Motion of Horsham, PA staged today’s event and more than 30 …

UPDATE: The driver of the white car that forced a motorcyclist and his passenger off the road in Texas on Saturday has been arrested. William Crum, 68, was charged Monday afternoon with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Police also cited motorcycle operator Eric Sanders for passing …

MIDDLETOWN, CT – A dedication ceremony for a monument on the site where the first Indian motorcycle was built in 1901 will be held here at 4 p.m. Thursday. Indian enthusiast and historian Chris Hinze, who pinpointed the location earlier this year, called late yesterday afternoon with the news. Hendee …

  Charlottetown, P.E.I. – A new high-end motorcycle company has been launched and it’s in Canada. Havoc Motorcycles plans to produce heavyweight cruisers for the 2016 model year. It is based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Havoc Iron Flight Havoc’s flagship model will be a Mike Tyson-licensed special edition dubbed

New models for 2016 are on the way. Triumph has a new video 30-second teaser for an all-new and likely larger Bonneville that will be revealed on Oct. 28.   Meanwhile, Honda has a more than 15-minute video showcasing its upcoming CRF1000L Africa Twin adventure model.