Oil Drippings: News, Opinion and New Models?

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

The dates for the annual EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy may be Nov. 7-10, but it will be on the press days next Tuesday and Wednesday that the manufacturers will unveil numerous new models for the coming model year. Already there’s much speculation and conjecture as to what’s coming, and among the predictions – some actually based on knowledge – are:

– From Harley-Davidson, two new smaller cruiser models. Yes, smaller models – V-Twins with 500cc and 750cc motors. These models won’t be made in the U.S., rather in India and using local parts. While that may sound like heresy for this iconic American brand to build elsewhere and import, Harley needs to court new riders as its baby boomer base is rapidly aging. Bold moves aren’t usually associated with Harley, but now may just be the time.

– From Honda, a larger CTX cruising model. Expect a CTX1300 to utilize the same V4 engine found in the ST1300. RideApart.com has a spy photos and info here.

– From Ducati, a Scrambler model.

– From BMW, a naked version of its S1000RR, possibly called the S1000R.

– From Triumph, a 250cc model, also made in India, a market that the British bike-maker is entering. This small displacement single would be geared to India and countries with tiered licensing, but would a small bike for Triumph to sell in the U.S. be a bad idea? No. It better be called the Cub.

It will be fun next week to watch all the new models get unveiled.

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Kev-Marv Productions has announced the locations and dates for its Northeast Motorcycle Expo shows for 2014. Three are scheduled:

– Boston – Jan. 11-12 at the Seaport World Trade Center

– Salem, NH – Feb. 8-9 at the Rockingham racetrack

– Wilmington, MA – March 8-9 at Shriner’s Auditorium

More info may be found here.

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How long does it take for a freighter to go from England to the U.S.? Norton announced late last week that its first shipment of new motorcycles to the U.S. had left port.

The revived British bike-maker is only shipping 10-20 bikes at a time. Included in the batch headed stateside are the Commando 961 Sport, Cafe Racer and SF models.

The company says it will take “well into Spring 1014 before we fulfill the current orders. Norton has only nine dealers in the country, including Gold Coast Motorsports in New Hyde Park, NY and Trebour Motors in Ledgewood, NJ.

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New England Cycle Center in Hartford shifts to winter hours starting this weekend. The dealership will be closed on Sunday and open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.