By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

Human remains found Nov. 1 at the site of a Harley-Davidson dealership that’s under construction in Wisconsin have now been identified as Native American. The remains are believed to be those of at least two adults. The skulls and other bones appeared to have been buried at least 40 to 50 years ago. The “Appleton Post-Crescent” has the story here.

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With Triumph now targeting the BMW R 1200 GS with the new 2012 Tiger Explorer, it’s only natural that the British bike maker will go after BMW’s R 1200 RT and K 1600 GT touring motorcycles as well.

Look for a new Trophy model to debut in January that uses the same 1,215cc, 135-horsepower inline triple with shaft drive that the Explorer boasts, along with a full fairing and other features for long-distance riding.

The Explorer (pictured) will be reviewed in the RIDE-CT newspaper column on Saturday in “The Republican-American.”

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Have you voted yet in the May poll? The results so far reveal that a majority of most of us admit to riding five to 10 miles above the posted speed limit. How fast do you ride? Vote now.

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

In a report released today, the Governors Highway Safety Association found that no progress was made nationally in reducing motorcycle fatalities in 2011. Based on preliminary data from 50 states and the District of Columbia, the GHSA projected that riders deaths will total about 4,500, the same as in 2010. The report compared the first nine months of 2010 to 2011 and found that fatalities had dropped in 23 states. Connecticut showed a 37 percent decrease, partially attributable to a decrease in registrations. The report can be read here.

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

A pulled hamstring sidelined RIDE-CT for a few days, but back in the saddle today for a 96-mile shoreline trek on a new 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer, loaned by regional Triumph representative Dave Rosen. Thanks, Dave.

The 1,215cc, 135 horsepower, shaft-drive adventure model has only been in dealer showrooms for a couple of weeks, so it understandably drew some attention from other riders during a test ride from Hebron to Cobalt, down to Old Saybrook and back, with stops in Essex and and Deep River.

RIDE-CT will have a full report in “The Republican-American” on Saturday and more here after that. Suffice to say the Tiger Explorer (MSRP $15,699) is sure-footed, fast and utterly enjoyable, although the drive by wire throttle is touchy (as Dave had tipped me).

Had to chuckle to when stopping briefly outside the Whistle Stop Cafe in Deep River. Ran into Miguel Balaguero of Salisbury, whom I’d only met last Sunday at Toymaker’s Cafe in Fall’s Village. Last week he was aboard a 1978 Bultaco Metralla. This week his ride was a 1986 Moto Guzzi SP1000.

Miguel was joined by John Morin of Camden, ME, who was riding a 2008 Buell 1125R.

A couple of riders from Massachusetts had come south of the border and were seated at an outdoor table at the cafe. Mike Diana of Ashford, MA was on a 1998 BMW R1200C. Looking at the wear in the saddle, I probably should have asked him how many miles he had on the bike.

Bob Meadows of Milford, MA rode a 2000 Yamaha Road Star. Nice color.

Couldn’t have asked for a better day for a ride. Made the mistake up arriving in Old Saybrook for breakfast of saying that I was surprised to see so few bikes on the road. That rapidly changed as midday approached.

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

E. Bruce Heilman is a World War II veteran, chancellor of the University of Richmond, and an avid motorcycle rider and Harley-Davidson owner. When he was 82, he took a 7,000-mile trip around the U.S. For his 85th birthday last year, he rode to South Dakota for the motorcycle rally in Sturgis.

Starting tomorrow, he begins an even longer trip. He plans an 8,000-mile excursion that will take him to Florida, California, up the Pacific Coast and then back across the country to Maine. He expects to complete the loop in July, which is when he’ll turn 86.

“I’ve got a motorcycle, and the world’s out there, so I’ll just ride,” Heilman told the “Richmond Times-Dispatch.” The newspaper has a long interview with him here.

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Twisted Throttle, the accessories and parts company, plans a huge Open House and 10th anniversary party at its world headquarters in Exeter, RI on Saturday.

BMW stunt-rider Chris “Teach” McNeil, world record-holding rider John Ryan and author Melissa Holbrook Pierson, whose book “The Man WHo Would Stop at Nothing” tells of Ryan, will be there.

So will various vendors and clubs, including the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and the Concours Owners Group. Tickets are free and you can register here.