April, 2020

• 20 April

  British Shows Shelved Because Of Pandemic

  

  Two popular motorcycle events devoted to British brands have been shelved for this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, although one apparently holds out faint hope that it might be mounted later. The 30th annual show and swap meet by the Massachusetts chapter of the British Iron Association scheduled for …

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• 17 April

  Norton Saved By India’s TVS Motor Company

  

  CHENNAI, INDIA – The Norton motorcycle brand has been saved from the dust bin. TVS Motor Company announced today that it has spent £16 million in cash, signed an asset purchase agreement, and acquired the Norton name and other assets of the bankrupt British motorcycle manufacturer. “This is a momentous …

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• 16 April

  Harry’s Place Reopens, Motorcycle Ban Lifted

  

  Update: Motorcycles are now being allowed at Harry’s Place again. Roughly two hours after announcing its reopening with a strict new policy that banned motorcycles, Harry’s Place is once again welcoming riders. “Harry’s Place contacted the town for clarification and realized there was a misunderstanding regarding motorcycle customers,” the burger …

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• 15 April

  Harley-Davidson Cuts Salaries, Freezes Hiring

  

  MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson today announced extensive salary cuts for executives and a hiring freeze as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to lower costs. According to a press release, acting president and CEO Jochen Zeitz and the company’s board of directors will forego salary/cash compensation, while …

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• 15 April

  AMCA’s Yankee Chapter Pushes Back Meet Dates

  

  TERRYVILLE, CT – With uncertainty prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yankee Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America has made the prudent decision to postpone its annual national motorcycle show and swap meet here for six weeks until mid-September. It was announced this morning that the event at …

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• 13 April

  Wilkins Harley-Davidson Closes Essex Junction, VT Store

  

  ESSEX JUNCTION, VT – The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has claimed another Harley-Davidson dealership in the Northeast. Wilkins North Harley-Davidson here has closed, its exit from the Burlington area announced on Saturday evening. This leaves Vermont’s largest market without a Harley-Davidson store of its own. In a lengthy statement posted on …

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• 10 April

  Status Of Americade And Laconia To Be Decided Soon

  

  (Update: Americade now says its will announced its plans for 2020 on Wednesday, April 22.) With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, the status of Americade and Laconia Motorcycle Week remains unsettled, but decisions on postponement should come soon.  The two large motorcycle rallies are still scheduled for June – Americade running …

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• 8 April

  Harry’s Place Closed For Not Social Distancing

  

  COLCHESTER, CT – The popular burger and hot dog stand Harry’s Place, a favorite among riders in eastern Connecticut and beyond, has been closed by the town for failing to follow social distancing guidelines. First selectman Mary Bylone said there were 50-plus vehicles in the drive-in’s parking lot on Tuesday …

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• 8 April

  Readers Say Pandemic Will Spur Riding; New Poll Posted

  

  A sizable 48 percent of RIDE-CT & RIDE-New England readers who voted in the latest online poll say the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will likely prompt them to ride more than usual during to the 2020 riding season. An additional 21 percent reported that they will likely ride the same amount …

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• 7 April

  Pandemic Claims Hudson Valley Harley-Davidson

  

  (Editor’s note: As of this morning (April 8), the letter announcing the dealership’s closing has been posted on Hudson Valley Harley-Davidson’s website and Facebook page.) NANUET, NY – After five years in business, Hudson Valley Harley-Davidson is closing permanently, a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its last day will be …

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