January, 2019

• 31 January

  Indian Dealers Showing Off FTR Model

  

  With the heavy cruiser market sagging, it’s a model that could be a game-changer for Indian – the flat track-inspired FTR 1200. The new 2019 model isn’t due in dealerships for at least another couple of months, but Indian is making some examples available to dealerships in southern New England …

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• 30 January

  Staff Inflection: Staff Divided On Lane Splitting

  

  A bill in the Connecticut General Assembly that would make lane splitting legal for riders has generated a lot of debate in recent days. The only state that makes the practice legal currently is California, where a study in 2014 revealed that it is no more dangerous than normal riding. …

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• 29 January

  Harley-Davidson’s U.S. Sales Sank In 2018

  

  MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson sold 15,104 fewer bikes in the U.S. in 2018 compared to 2017, a 10.2 percent drop, according to a full-year earnings report released this morning. U.S. sales totaled 132,868 last year, down from 147,972 in 2017. The company still commands a 49.7 percent share of the 601+cc …

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• 28 January

  Eats: House Of Bones BBQ In Derby, CT

  

  DERBY, CT – It’s a place that’s easy to drive by. That because House of Bones BBQ is located in an odd spot on busy Route 34, just east of Route 8.  Heading south, House of Bones BBQ comes quickly into view as you come around a corner. The problem …

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• 27 January

  Trial Set For Dealer In Sex Ring Case

  

  DANBURY, CT – New England motorcycle dealer and race track owner Bruce J. Bemer is scheduled to go on trial Thursday in Superior Court here on charges of conspiracy in a sex trafficking ring and patronizing a prostitute. He has pleaded not guilty and has been free on $500,000 bail since …

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• 25 January

  Proposed Bill Would Allow Lane-Splitting in CT

  

  HARTFORD – With the Connecticut General Assembly back in session, bill proposals are now being submitted. So far, at least two pertain to motorcycles; one involving helmet usage and the other regarding lane splitting. Sen. Cathy Osten, a Democrat who represents Norwich and nearby towns, today proposed that current law …

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• 24 January

  MIC Survey Says More Households Have Motorcycles

  

  IRVINE, CA – A record number of households in the U.S. now have a motorcycle parked in the garage, according to a new Motorcycle Industry Council survey. The trade association said Wednesday that eight percent of households had at least one bike in 2018, “the most ever recorded in decades …

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• 23 January

  Ducati Sales Off Slightly In 2018

  

  BOLOGNA, ITALY – Sales of Ducati motorcycles dipped a bit in 2018, but the high-end Italian manufacturer nonetheless was able to top the 50,000-bike threshold for the fourth consecutive year. It sold 53,004 motorcycles in 2018, down from 55,871 in 2017, which represents a five percent decline. Ducati showed growth …

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• 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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