Bud Wilkinson / RIDE-CT.com

July 24, 2010

Suzuki Returns to U.S.A.

After skipping the 2010 model year, exiting the U.S.A. during the bleak economy, Suzuki returns in a big way for the 2011 model year. There are no new models, but returning for 2011 will be the V-Strom 650 ABS, DR650SE, DR-Z400S, Hayabusa, Boulevard S40, Boulevard M109R, RM-Z250, RM-Z450 and TU250. For more info, check out the company's web site.

2011 Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS 

July 20, 2010

Another New Model from Ducati

Ducati unwraps a new middleweight sport bike - the 2011 848EVO. It weighs on 369 pounds and has 140 horsepower. For more info, visit the company's web site. Meanwhile, Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America has resigned effective at the end of July after spending eight years with the Italian bike maker. 

July 11, 2010

Mag Fires Writer After Advertisers Beef

If you've ever read a bike review in a motorcycle magazine (and what rider hasn't?), you know that it's often necessary to read between the lines to determine a writer's true impression of a new machine. That's because most motocycle mags don't practice "real journalism" with a wall erected between the advertising and editorial departments. Most mags most often resemble breathless infomercials for the bike makers products. They put advertiser wishes ahead of giving subscribers complete and honest information. In other words, the ad department dictates what gets into print, not the editor. (Full disclosure: I write occasionally for "Motorcycle Classics" and "RoadBike" magazines.) That's just the way it is, especially is these down times. What magazine can risk offending a manufacturer capable of yanking tens of thousands of advertising dollars?

While it's easy to appreciate the positions of all involved -- the writer who wants to keep writing, the editor who wants to keep editing, the publisher who wants to keep publishing and the brand that wants to keep selling - a newly-exposed case of a writer for "Motorcyclist" magazine getting fired for a piece he wrote (not in the magazine but for The New York Times) is especially distressing. Dexter Ford apparently incurred the wrath of helmet makers Arai and Shoei, who then reportedly applied pressure on the magazine - which buckled by firing him. The full exchange of emails can be read at Hell for Leather's website.

As one who is obviously in the ranks of writers, I've now put "Motorcyclist" on my permanent "Do Not Buy" list, figuring it to be a magazine so in the hip pockets of advertisers that nothing that it publishes is to be believed. That's why publications that practice legitimate journalism enforce a wall between advertising and editorial - so that what gets printed can be regarded as honest and true.

And when it comes time to replace my Shoei helmet, it will be with another brand that isn't Arai or Shoei. I'm only one person and I can only vote with my wallet. And I will.

July 7, 2010

Triumph teases new Adventure models

Triumph has launched a new web site to tease what will apparently be two new Adventure models. Motorcycle Daily suggests the British brand will bring out a Tiger 800 using an enlarged 675cc engine, with separate models for road use (with cast wheels) and on and off-road use (with spoked wheels). Triumph's website for the upcoming launch of what will be a 2011 model(s) is a case of lots of sizzle and little steak. It's active and very frustrating.

July 5, 2010

BMW Plans Two Six-Cylinder Tourers

BMW has announced plans for two new touring machines -- the K 1600 GT and the K 1600 GLT. Both will feature inline six-cylinder motors with 1649cc displacement and 160 horsepower. For more info, check out the website.

July 4, 2010

Holiday Ride Forced to Detour 

The plan was supposed to be foolproof. Walt Pinto, one of my bosses at the WJMJ radio in Hartford where I'm the weekday afternoon host, wanted to hook up for a leisurely ride with a couple of friends of his who happen to be listeners. After weeks of trying, we finally nailed down July 4th as a day when we all were free. I live in Harwinton, Walt lives in Cobalt (across the Connecticut River from Middletown) and Marty Clebowicz and Marie Wagner live nearby in East Hampton. We'd rendezvous at Cabela's in East Hartford and ride out Route 44 to the Vanilla Bean in Pomfret for breakfast - before it got too hot.

 Marty Clebowicz, Marie Wagner, Walt Pinto and Bud Wilkinson 

The first spot of "trouble" occurred as I rode in Hartford on I-84. A flashing sign warned motorcyclists of rough road head. As I neared the Capitol Avenue exit, the smooth pavement gave way to grooves, so I jumped off, rode by the Capitol and Bushnell and used the Bulkeley Bridge to make it to Cabela's. Walt, Marty and Marie arrived within minutes. Walt was aboard a 1985 Honda Gold Wing Aspencade, while Marty and Marie rode a 1998 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. I had selected my 1994 BMW R 100 RT. 

Strike two went I went to pull away and forgot to retrack my kickstand. No harm. No foul. Strike three, though, came when we pulled into the parking lot at the Vanilla Bean to find it closed for the holiday. We were not alone in being dismayed. A couple pulled into behind us, one riding a Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 and the other on a Moto Guzzi V7. Another Harley pulled in and so did a pickup truck in the five minutes we took to gather our bearings and plot a new course.

We ended up heading south on Route 169 and eventually ended up at the Salem Valley Farms ice cream stand before heading home. Walt and I parted company in Cobalt - Marty and Marie had split off earlier - and I crossed the Connecticut River at Middletown and took Route 66 west. It was hot, and the full leather gear and helmet made the conditions even toastier. Even riding at 70 mph on I-84 and Route 8 didn't cool things down. That would require a cold shower upon getting home.

It was a fun holiday - even if it didn't turn out as planned.

June 6, 2010

Allstate Packs Punch with TV commercial

The TV commercial for Allstate motorcycle insurance shows a series of riderless bikes crashing. It's designed to grab attention and it does, although I'm not certain it does so in the manner intended. Watching it the first time my reaction was to permanently park my bikes, cancel my insurance and sell them. The reality of what can happen when riding was just too vivid, especially when the spot ended with the ominous line "Bikes never crash alone." Having now seen the the commercial several times, I'm less bothered by the images, although a bit saddened that some nice bikes got trashed. The spot does its job and certainly stands out. Personally, I'll go with Flo from Progessive riding with a propestive customer.   

June 4, 2010

Harley to Sell XR1200X in U.S.

Up until now, sales of Harley-Davidson's blacked-out XR1200X, a performance version of its Sportster model, have been limited to Europe. However, Harley announced Thursday that the bike will soon be available stateside as 2011 model.

The XR1200X comes equipped with fully-adjustable Showa big piston front fork and rear shocks, Nissin dual front brakes and Dunlop tires. The bike will be offered in two colors - black denim and white denim. MSRP is $11,799. Expect it in showrooms in August.

June 3, 2010

Triumph Adds Sprint GT

Triumph's Sprint ST gets a stable mate for 2011 with the introduction of the Sprint GT, a model more suited to touring. It also gets more power - 128 horsepower versus 123 horsepower for the Sprint ST. ABS will be standard on the Sprint GT. There's a preview on on YouTube.

June 2, 2010

'69 Triumph Back on the Road - Again

The story of rebuilding a 1969 Triumph T100R Daytona began on a winter day in 2008 when a bike carcass was dragged from a barn behind Toymaker's Cafe in Falls Village. It took eight months or so for the bike to be disassembled, for parts to be cleaned and/or fixed, and the bike to be put back together. It eventually made it back on the road and was a joy to ride - until last year when a leaky gas tank sidelined the bike on several occasions. At season's end, I sent the tank back to "Tike" Ladd of the Classic Motorcycle Company in Terryville to get it rewelded for the third or fourth time. I also opted to get the inside sealed, but I didn't bother to have him repaint it, figuring that if it leaked again, it would get chucked. The tank spent most of this past winter in a cardboard box in my garage.

On Saturday afternoon, I finally set aside some time to reinstall the tank. It took some doing and assistance from friends to get the holes for the petcocks cleaned out. The job finally got done and after filling the tank with some 110 octane, leaded racing fuel, the bike kicked over on the third or fourth try. It sounded great and ran smoothly.

On Sunday, I took it for a long loop from Harwinton to Thomaston, Morris, Litchfield and home. The bike looks a little odd with its green fenders and primered tank, but it's running. If the tank manages to stay secure through the summer, it'll get another paint job in the fall. Here's how it looked after being rebuilt in late summer 2008:

1969 Triumph T100R Daytona  

May 30, 2010

H-D Museum Remembers Evel

It's being billed as "True Evel: The Amazing Story of Evel Knievel," and the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee plans to dedicate 10,000 square feet of exhibit space to the legendary motorcycle daredevil between July 10 and September 6. The exhibit coincides with the 35th anniversary of Evel's Wembley Stadium jump in London. Son Kelly Knievel will be there for a meet and greet on July 2.  

May 29, 2010

Grand Re-Opening Set for The Shop

It has been several months since Keith Bruno moved The Shop to 714 Main Street in Winsted. He plans to celebrate the new location of his motorcycle repair business with a Grand Opening blowout on June 13. The party begins at 1 p.m. and features food, music, a bike wash and even tattooing. 

May 27, 2010

Police Cracking Down on Loud Pipes

When you think of noisy motorcycles an image of a cruiser with straight pipes probably comes to mind, but it was a friend riding a Ducati Hypermotard with an aftermarket exhaust that got a warning from state police for excessive noise while riding through Kent last Sunday. At the request of Kent's first selectman, troopers are cracking down on riders whose bikes are too loud. Sgt. John Covello of Troop L in Litchfield explained to me that a state statue allows for a ticket to be issued to anyone who isn't running stock pipes, regardless of the decibel level of the exhaust. What prompted the enhanced enforcement in Kent was a complaint from a church on Route 7, which had to routinely halt its services because of loud bikes passing by. You can't argue that parishoners don't deserve some peace and quiet on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association reports that Branford has launched an "aggressive campaign" to ticket violators, and adds that municipalities can levy whatever fine or penalty that they deems appropriate. The CMRA reports the maximum fine in Branford for loud pipes is $500. The best advice is to avoid Kent and Branford, and to keep your right hand off of the throttle when riding through any town.

May 26, 2010

Awaiting A Diagnosis on New Beemer

The fun only lasted a few days. After buying a 1994 BMW R100RT from an old friend in late April, I finally got it registered and on the road. However, when riding to meet another friend on May 16, the bike broke down. I was heading downhill on Route 4 in Burlington, approaching the Farmington River, when the airhead started losing power. After making the right turn, I pulled over to visually inspect the bike. Nothing looked bad so I started up again. A short time later, I heard a loud metallic snap and the bike pitched to the right. I kept it upright, pulled over and shut it down. It's now been taken to a BMW repairman and I'm awaiting the diagnosis. A pushrod? A broken rod? A valve problem? Something wrong with the shaft drive? I have no idea. Just hope it can be fixed cheaply and back on the road soon.

1994 BMW R100RT that on the DL 

May 4, 2010

Mandatory Training Bill Passes Legislature

The state House of Representatives last night voted 117-31 in favor of a bill that makes taking a motorcycle training course mandatory for any newcomer wanting to ride. The bill, which was previously passed by the Senate on a 42-2 vote, will now go back to the Senate due to the changing of some wording and will then go to Gov. Jodi Rell for signature. The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2011 and will not apply to those currently having an "M" endorsement on their driver's licenses. "Newbies" will have the option of taking the state's $200 Basic Rider Course or a course from a private firm. 

April 24, 2010

Gap in Garage Filled by Another Beemer

A busy, busy week, but not so busy that there wasn't time to check out and buy another bike to replace the recently-sold V-Rod. An old prep school friend and his wife are giving up riding - he's physically unable to ride anymore - and he was putting their bikes up for sale. After taking a test ride, I bought his wife's 1994 BMW R100RT, figuring an airhead was sufficiently different and much lighter than the BMW K100RS that's already in the garage to make it a worthwhile purchase. We'll see. It gets picked up this afternoon!

April 23, 2010

Mandatory Training Bill Moves Forward

The bill in the legislature that would require every new rider to take and pass a rider training course continues to progress through the General Assembly. By a 42-2 vote, it was approved by the Appropriations Committee on on Monday.

April 15, 2010

Wisconsin Works to Recognize Harley

Harley-Davidson, which is headquartered in Milwaukee, will become the offcial motorcycle of Wisconsin if a bill approved today by the Assembly gets Senate approval as well. The Wisconsin State Journal calls the designation "purely symbolic," but a nice gesture nonetheless for he bike maker that employs so many Cheeseheads.

April 14, 2010

Sale of V-Rod Creates Void in Garage

It happened suddenly. An ad posted on Craiglist only a couple of days ago, the exchange of a couple of emails, a morning phone call to arrange an appointment. Tonight an F550 pickup pulled out of the driveway with the 2003 Harley-Davidson VRSC (V-Rod) that has displayed a "RIDE-CT" license plate for more than three years secured in the bed. The garage sure looks empty with only two bikes remaining - a 1985 BMW K100RS and a 1969 Triumph T100R Daytona. The RIDE-CT plate now needs a new bike. Some more thoughts in The Republican-American on Saturday.  

April 10, 2010

Are Roadside Memorials a Good Idea?

It was over lunch earlier this week that the subject of roadside memorials came up. Don Provost, captain in the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department, was seated a couple of tables away at Hometown Pizza in Harwinton  and we got to talking about a motorcycle "fatal" that had happened a few days earlier on the dangerous "S" curve on Route 4 in Burlington. Don noted that an impromptu memorial of flowers and whatnot had already been erected at the crash scene.

Don wondered about the wisdom of such shrines to the deceased and his concern made sense. Spots where crashes occur are inevitably dangerous, and the simple act of walking to the spot to place flowers and other remembrances can place the well-wisher in harm's way. Such memorials also provide a distraction for riders and drivers, whose eyes are drawn to them and away from the road ahead where they should be looking.

Roadside memorial on Route 7 near Lime Rock

It's all well and good to want to remember and honor the dead, but the deceased isn't going to be found alongside a highway. The body has long since been removed by the time flowers get placed. While the sentiment is no doubt genuine, the result may be hazard.    

April 7, 2010

New Version of "American Chopper"

The feuding Teutels - Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. - may not be speaking and may now have competing companies, but they will star together on the new TV show "American Chopper: Senior versus Junior" on TLC. The New York Post has the details.

April 5, 2010

Royal Enfields Arrive at Canton Cycles

Canton Cycles in Winsted has receieved its fifst shipment of Royal Enfield motorcycles after signing on as a dealer last week. Three different versions of the India-made bike now have their kickstands down on the showroom floor.

Anti-lock Brakes Save Lives

Riders on bikes having anti-lock brakes are 37 percent less likely to be involved in fatal crashes, according to a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. They also have few insurance claims. Get the details here. 

April 1, 2010

Royal Enfield Comes to Connecticut

Excuse the tease... Royal Enfield has landed two dealerships in Connecticut, and RIDE-CT has the details this Saturday in The Republican-American. Meanwhile, you can check out all the new Royal Enfield models at the company's web site.

March 31, 2010

Back After a Crash - of Computer

The office laptop, which was still running Windows ME, died last week after 10 years of usually reliable service. It took seven days to get fully back on line. The regular updates will resume immediately, or as soon as I figure out Windows 7!

 March 24, 2010

Old Trick Updated by BMW S1000RR

File this video under the heading of "Don't try this at home." BMW updates an old trick by using its new S1000RR superbike, and the video's posted for the world to see on YouTube. Nary a scratch.

Meanwhile, both Cliff's Cycle Revolution in Brookfield and Gengras Motorcycles in East Hartford report having demo models of the S1000RR available for test rides, and Cliff LaMotta said his was gone for the most of the day on Saturday.   

March 23, 2010

Transforming a Norton Commando

The RIDE-CT Blog is always on the lookout for fun motorcycle-related video, and Bill Lord of Canton Cycles provided a heads-up today on a splendid clip by Steve Twist of a Transformer fashioned from a vintage Norton Commando. The clip is well worth a look.

March 20, 2010

Tweaks to Beemer Make Big Difference

Sometimes it just takes patience to get a vintage bike into the shape necessary to make it a fun ride. A 1985 BMW K100RS that I bought out of a barn in Kent in February 2009 provides an example. It spent much of last season with its fairings removed, dripping oil in the garage. I sent it out once to have the splines lubed and the leak solved. It came back from the dealer still leaking. I sent it out a second time for a new oil/water pump hoping that that would cure the leak. It didn't. I rode it "naked" only occasionally last year while mulling whether to sell it, junk it or keep it. This past winter I sent it out again, having resolved to truly give it a chance to be a good daily rider. New tires and barbacks got added and the plastics restored. I picked it up this morning and did a long loop out to Falls Village, Lakeville, Sharon, Cornwall Bridge, Goshen and Litchfield. The new rubber and more upright riding position made it seem like an entirely different bike. No longer was it a top-heavy locomotive, rather a smooth, sporty, exhilarating ride. Yes, it dropped some oil in the driveway when I got home, but not enough to really cause concern. I think I'll put a Union Jack decal on it and pretend the bike's British instead of German. For the full story, read RIDE-CT next Saturday in The Republican-American.  

March 19, 2010

New Trailer for Victory

Victory calls it a "trailer," you know, like at the movies where all the best scenes from an upcoming flick get revealed in an extended commerical before the regular feature. This new video for the Victory line isn't particularly imaginative, but it's worth mentioning because at the end there's a teaser that says that anyone taking a demo ride on a Victory gets a free subscription to Rider magazine. That's useful info, isn't it?   

March 18, 2010

Hefty Pay for Harley-Davidson Execs

Not to generalize too much, but Harley-Davidson riders are traditionally working stiffs, guys (and gals) with grease under their fingernails, the kind of Americans most hurt by the bad economy of the last year. Harley was hurt as well. Its bike sales in North America totaled 180,756, which was well below the target mark of 213,011 units.

However, the downturn didn't seems to hurt those working in the executvie suite at The Motor Company. The company's two CEOs alone earned nearly $10 million in 2009 with other top executives present and past taking home an aditional $7 million, according to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Former president and CEO James L. Ziemer, who retired at the end of April 2009, earned $455,144 in salary, an identical bonus and had total compensation of $3.6 million.

The new president and CEO, Keith E. Wandell, who worked the final eight months last year, was paid $650,025 in salary, $780,030 in bonuses and had total compensation of $6.36 million. 

Rumors are now circulating that HOG is about to be taken over. Does anyone remember AMF?

March 17, 2010

An Amazing Competition Ride

OK, think you're a good rider? Reader Joe Acampora has passed along a video link to a riding competition among motorycle cops. It shows an officer on a BMW maneuvering through several cone patterns with enviable ease. This guy is good. Check out out here.

The Indian That Got Away

Jim Hall of Granby listens to my afternoon radio show on WJMJ (FM 88.9) and he called yesterday to answer a question that I had posed to listeners. In chatting, the subject of motorcycles came up and he recalled buying an Army surplus Indian Scout in 1946, complete with a star on the gas tank. It had a kick-starter and suicide shifter, too. He bought it for $25, rode it for a few years, then sold it for $25. "I got interested in girls and got a car and sold it to my brother." His late brother, Billy, held on to the Indian for nearly 50 years until 10-12 years ago, Jim recalled, and then sold it - for $10,000. Jim may have gotten his money back on the bike, but his brother made a killing.     

March 16, 2010

Harley to Race XR1200s

Harley-Davidson may have scrapped Buell last year, just as the sport-bike brand was having some success racing, but The Motor Company hasn't quit revving it engines. AMA Pro Racing and Vance & Hances have paired up to launch the new AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series. It will consist of five races with riders aboard modified XR1200s. The first race will be at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., followed by events at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Virginia International Raceway, New Jersey Motorsports Park and Barber Motorsports Park. For more info, check out AMA Pro Racing.

March 15, 2010

Enrollment for Riders Opens at N.V.C.C. 

For those about to ride, or those who want to polish their existing skills, registration begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Naugatuck Valley Community College for this year’s motorcycle riding courses at the Waterbury campus and at Cliff’s Cycle Revolution in Brookfield.

-The Basic Rider Course for “newbies” runs 22 hours and combines classroom with on-cycle (or scooter) training. Bikes and scooters are provided. Cost is $200.

-The Intermediate Rider Course is for those with a little experience. It runs 10 hours and riders use their own street legal bikes. Cost is $115.

-The Experienced Rider Course is for those who already ride but who want to work on their skills, eliminate bad habits, get comfortable on a new bike or maybe get rid of some rust and cobwebs if returning to riding after an extended layoff. Riders use their own bikes for this one-day course. Cost is $85. If you have a passenger, it’s $20 more.

Last year, 483 prospective riders took the BRC at N.V.C.C., while 23 took the IRC and 36 took the ERC. At Cliff’s, 107 students took the BRC. Statewide, CONREP classes had enrollment of 4,966 in 2009.

For more information on this year’s courses through N.V.C.C., call 203-575-8123. To register, call 203-575-8029.

New Safe Riding Column Debuts

What are friends for if you can't tap their knowledge and experience? When I took up riding six years ago, I had a friend, Carl Foster, who mentored me. He encouraged  me and, more importantly, told me what I was doing wrong - like that time on I-91 near Springfield, Mass. where I found myself trapped in the right-hand lane with 18-wheelers in front, behind and directly to my left.

Over the years, I've taken the Basic Rider Course (once) and the Experienced Rider Course (twice) to keep my skills polished, and have gotten to know and have ridden with some CONREP instructors, notably John Purdy Jr. and Steve Smith. I'll never match them when it comes to riding skills.

I've now managed to convince Steve to share his experience and knowledge by writing a regular Safe Riding column for RIDE-CT.com. It debuts this weekend and is filled with sound advice for riders of all experience levels. Thanks, Steve. The coffee's on me.

John Purdy Jr. teaches the Basic Rider Course

March 13, 2010

More Motorcycle Makers

Happened to call up the links page when visiting the web site of the Connecticut-based Italian Motorcycle Owners Club (or IMOC) today and came across some bike brands that I knew weren't included on the Manufacturers pages here at RIDE-CT, notably Beta, Bimota and Lem. That got me to thinking of another brand that was already listed, Norton, but which many riders may realize exists. Everyone knows the big brands -- Harley-Davidson, Honda and the other Japanese nameplates, BMW and Ducati -- but may not know of some of the smaller, more niche makers. I'm trying to make the list on the Manufacturers page as comprehensive as possible, so if you know of make that I've overlooked, let me know: budw@ride-ct.com.

March 12, 2010

Open House Set for Cliff's

The riding season is just arriving, but Cliff's Cycle Revolution in Brookfield has already locked in a date for an Open House - May 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.    

In other news out of the BMW-Ducati-Indian dealership, while there's nothing posted on the webs site, I'm hearing that the Indian demo truck will be paying a visit later this year.

March 8, 2010

New Location for The Shop

Keith Bruno has moved The Shop, his motorcycle repair and customization business in Winsted, a short ways down Main Street. The Shop is now closer to the center of town at 714 Main Street. He'd outgrown his old digs at 760 Main Street. "It was too small, too dirty and this became available," he said, reporting that The Shop now has two lifts and is adding a third.  

Keith Bruno, right, with bike-builder Billy Lane

March 7, 2010

First Ride of Season

Saturday was irresistible. The sunshine. The temperature approaching 50. It was time, so the Battery Tender got hooked to the V-Rod for an appropriate amount of time. The bike was then backed out of the garage and washed. Tire pressure was checked and it was time for the first ride of the season.

I headed north on Route 8 and kept going until I got to New Boston, Mass. where I stopped at the New Boston Inn for a chat with owner and chef Barbara Colorio for an upcoming RIDE-CT column in The Republican-American, after which I couldn't resist a quick blast up the twisties between New Boston and Otis.

A stop at Canton Cycles in Winsted on the way home, where I bumped into Chuck from Watertown on his BMW R1150RT, completed a 60-mile get-the-rust-off trek that couldn't have been better.

Last year, the first ride of the season came on March 7 and resulted in a slow-speed drop due to some sand, followed by months and months of rainy weather. This year it was March 6 and everything was perfect. Perhaps this season will be better weather-wise.

March 6, 2010

New CB1100 from Honda

Motorcycle manufacturers can be downright cruel sometimes. Take Honda, for instance. It's building a new CB1100 - sort of a modern version of its classic CB750 Four - but hasn't announced plans to sell the bike in the U.S. The company has posted an alluring video on the Internet. This is one gorgeous bike.    

March 5, 2010

New Bill for ATVers

A new bill in the state legislature, Proposed Bill No. 5417, will force the state Department of Environmental Protective to set aside land for dirt bikers and quad riders "not later than July 1, 2010." A public hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. March 12 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford and the Connecticut Motorsports Business Association is urging all dealers and all riders to attend. Details of the bill be in RIDE-CT on Saturday in The Republican-American.

March 4, 2010

A Long, Long Trek

"Most people wouldn't drive a 70-year-old vehicle down their driveway, let alone on a trek across the globe. But Tormod Amlien and Klaus Ulvestad are not your ordinary pair of the globetrotters..."

So begins a story in today's Republican-American about two guys from Norway who are riding vintage Nimbus motorcycles on a five-continent adventure. They also have a web site that has more details on their trip.

March 3, 2010

C.M.B.A. Launches Blog

In an effort to keep members and off-road enthusiasts updated on the ongoing situation at the state legislature, which is considering a bill that would force the Department of Environmental Protection to finally set aside state land for use by dirt and quad riders, the Connecticut Motorsports Business Association this week launched a blog.

March 2, 2010

New Luggage from Mustang

Terryville-based Mustang Seats today announced a new line of Nostalgic Luggage designed for cruisers. The vinyl luggage comes either plain or with studs. Check it out!

March 2, 2010

Riding Rough Country

No matter how good of a rider you might be be, there's always someone who's better. RIDE-CT reader and occasional riding friend Joe Acampora provides a tip about a video of two trail riders in the mountains whose skills, stamina and iron will are undeniable. Enjoy it, but don't look down.  

March 1, 2010

One-Stop Resource

RIDE-CT.com is trying to build a comprehensive list of all Dealers and motorcycle-related Businesses in the state. Another half-dozen get added today to the growing list on the Dealers/Businesses page, but we're always looking for more. If you know one, let us know.  

Coming Saturday: