January, 2019

• 22 January

  More Motorcycle Magazines Fold

  

  It was a year ago that “Baggers” magazine went away, folded into “Hot Bike” magazine by Bonnier Corp. Now, “Hot Bike” is gone as well, another victim of the waning print industry. Gone, too, is the “Motorcyclist’s Post,” the long-running regional magazine that served the northeast. Its current issue is …

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• 19 January

  Springfield Motorcycle Show Beats Snow

  

  WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – With the overnight forecast calling for snow, riders turned out today and beat the storm by attending the Springfield Motorcycle Show at the Eastern States Exposition. “It’s actually a pretty good showing,” said promoter Doug Sousa. “We’re very happy.” Attendees got to sit on new models …

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• 18 January

  Always Riding: Crotona Midnight Run Now For Wimps

  

  NORTH GRANBY, CT – The Facebook notification from the Ramapo Motorcycle Club arrived Thursday while I was sitting at my computer working my checklist for my second Crotona Midnight Run. It had the word  “Postponed” stamped across the event flyer. Due to the weather forecast of snow, rain and anything else …

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• 17 January

  Dealer Perspective: BMW Treads Water In U.S.

  

  LITTLE NECK, NY – We’ve read nearly endless articles and commentaries on the decline of Harley-Davidson motorcycle unit sales. They’re not the only company experiencing sales stress in North America, only the most visible. BMW just announced another growth year for worldwide motorcycle sales with 165,566 units sold in 2018. Indeed, …

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• 16 January

  BMW Motorrad Sales Increase In 2018

  

  BERLIN – Sales of BMW motorcycles were up slightly in 2018, the company announced this morning, with 165,566 models being delivered. That represents a worldwide increase of 0.9 percent. The company sold 164,153 units in 2017. “We achieved a sales record for the eighth time in succession. I would like …

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• 15 January

  Dealer Perspective: The Hidden Costs

  

  LITTLE NECK, NY – Quite a few comments attributed to Harley-Davidson dealers have accompanied the recent introduction of the LiveWire electric bike. Among other things, they have lamented the costs they will have to absorb just to bring this model on board; things like a dedicated charging station, special tools, electronic …

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• 13 January

  “Always Riding” Siciliano Prepared For Crotona Midnight Run

  

  NORTH GRANBY, CT – The Crotona Midnight Run will be staged for the 101st time next Sunday morning in Nanuet, NY and, for the second consecutive year, “Always Riding” columnist Paul Siciliano will be participating (and raising a little money for charity). This time Siciliano will be fighting the cold …

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• 12 January

  A Prudent Decision To End Middletown Motorcycle Mania?

  

  MIDDLETOWN, CT – It was one-of-a-kind, impossible to duplicate and irreplaceable for those who enjoyed it.  It was also exhilarating, claustrophobic and much anticipated every year. The sudden end to Middletown Motorcycle Mania, which was announced Friday morning, cannot be viewed as a surprise, though, because last year’s 13th annual event …

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• 11 January

  Abrupt End To Middletown Motorcycle Mania

  

  MIDDLETOWN, CT – Middletown Motorcycle Mania is no more. Last August’s 13th annual event, which drew thousands of riders and created a madhouse in downtown, was the last one. The reason given for the axing of the event was that it “has grown so large that the cost of providing …

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• 11 January

  Energica Having Chuckle At LiveWire’s Expense

  

  It’s a coincidence to be sure – two companies in the same field using the same words to promote an identical product. In this case, it’s a teaser line touting battery-power motorcycles. “The Future Is Electric” proclaimed Harley-Davidson in its website introduction earlier this week of its new LiveWire model. …

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