Motorcycle Traveling and Gun Shopping (New England)

[rbertalotto]

I took Friday off from work and loaded the V-Strom for a few days of camping up in Vermont with my motorcycle club, Yankee Beemers.

I figured I'd meander up through central Massachusetts and NH and check out a few gun shops on the way......Big Error!

The first shop I stopped at, THE GUN ROOM, in Shrewsbury, MA was a huge mistake for my bank account. He had a beautiful Iron Frame Uberti 1860, 1 of 1000 in 44-40 and a real nice AWA Colt Lightning in my favorite cartridge, 38-40. Both were at good prices of under $1000. I took the 1860 to the counter to put on layaway as I couldn't carry it on the bike. I comented that I couldn't make up my mind on the 1860 or the Lightning. He said he'd make me a deal on both.........I said "I'm listeniong!".......He put pencil to paper and came back with $200 off each if I bought both..............SOLD! I pick them up on Tuesday.....

Next stop was WARE gun Shop in Ware Ma. .....CLOSED! Only open 1-4pm.....I wasn't going to wait around over an hour.

Next stop, Riley's Gun Shop, Hooksett NH. Great place and no Sales Tax in NH! Lots of product on display. Surprised to see so much ammo and lots of 22RF. I bought a set of 44-40 dies, lead bullets in .428, 500 Large Rifle Federal primers (500 max limit on Federal Primers!), some bullets for my 32 Winchester Special and a box of 50 Winchester 44-40 cartridges.

From here I went to shop I'd never visited, Lewis Arms in BOW, NH.....MY LORD! What a beautiful sho! And talk about inventory.....I haven't seen this type of product in years. I'm going to guess nearly 100 handguns. Walls of rifles. Some nice classic lever actions. They had a beautiful vintage 1892 in 38-40 with a Marbles tang sight I'd never seen before with dual appetures. A small ring within the larger ring. The smaller internal ring flips forward to reveal the larger ring. Neat. Price was right, but it will have to wait.
I bought four boxes of Hornady Cowboy 44-40 cartridges and vowed to return frequently....

IO visited a few other small shops here and there but they had near zero inventory. Not sure how they can keep the doors open, or why, with nothing to sell. Sad.

I'll post pictures of the new members to the family when I pick them uop.

[rjohns94]

Sounds like a great trip. I have a V-Strom too. Great bikes. The sight on the 1892 sounds interesting.
When you get back up there would love to see pictures if its there. Congrats

[RIHMFIRE]

[Blaine]

Motorcycles, and guns account for a large portion of my funds...the rest I waste on food, and housing.

[RJM52]

...did you see SHOOTERS OUTPOST....new shop about a mile south of Riley's....big inventory of black rifles from Ruger and SIG and a lot of Ruger handguns...

Have always wanted to ride a V-Strom...have sat on the two different models and really like the feel of the 1100.... But I have a Harley T-Sport that is just such a great all-around bike for what I do I don't think a V is in my future....

Bob

[Ji in Hawaii]

My BIL traded his Triumph for a V-Strom and has never regretted it. He has made several runs that total over 1000 miles each.
I think I want one.

[rjohns94]

They are awesome Ji! Somehow I managed getting a speeding ticket on mine today

[cshold]

They are awesome Ji! Somehow I managed getting a speeding ticket on mine today

OUCH
But I can see how that could happen.
Very sharp & fast looking bikes.

[Blaine]

My BIL traded his Triumph for a V-Strom and has never regretted it. He has made several runs that total over 1000 miles each.
I think I want one.

With your bad back, you might want to try that riding position first before buying......Most older guys prefer the more upright position of a cruiser or touring......

[Ji in Hawaii]

My BIL traded his Triumph for a V-Strom and has never regretted it. He has made several runs that total over 1000 miles each.
I think I want one.

With your bad back, you might want to try that riding position first before buying......Most older guys prefer the more upright position of a cruiser or touring......

You're probably right, instead of a V-Strom the V-Star would be more to my liking in reality.

[cshold]

Had a V-Star back in 06, one of the best bikes I’ve ever owned. Traded it in on a Harley.

[Paladin]

Well done on the finds and motorcycle trip. I like doing that myself just don't buy much anymore.

[rbertalotto]

I'm on my second "Wee" Strom......DL650. Took the first one on a little 11,000 mile ride to Alaska. Did the Haul road and totaled it in Washington State on the way home...UGH!

Minute O got home I bought another one. Absolutely great motorcycle. I've owned over 25 motorcycles in the past ten years. I was buying and selling them as a side hobby. The V-Strom always remained my GO TO bike.

See them here:
http://public.fotki.com/Rbertalotto/mot ... s-current/

Here is the story on my trip to Alaska:
www.motoalaska.blogspot.com

My V-Strom


Ever seen a 650 V-Strom with dual exhaust......Its a secret!

[rbertalotto]

Here's my first V-Strom ready to leave for Alaska:

[Ji in Hawaii]

What especially appeals to me about the V-Strom is it's suspension design able to handle unimproved road surfaces like a dual purpose bike good if you want to get off the beaten path.
Today just for fun I was Google-Mapping my sibling's homes on the mainland and the Google-Map photo van must have passed my BIL's home back in 2011 right before a ride so the view has his V-Strom in his driveway in all it's glory, I thought that was kind of cool.

[Ji in Hawaii]

Had a V-Star back in 06, one of the best bikes I’ve ever owned. Traded it in on a Harley.

Nice bike and "accessorry". What size motor? I'd be happy with a 650.

[cshold]

650 Ji
I had & loved the floor-board package on that bike,
made for a very comfortable riding cruiser.

Still have the J accessory

[FatJackDurham]

Nice! I'm going to have to visit those shops too! Especially the vintage shop!

[J35]

Not sure what is being ridden here, but seems to go pretty good.

http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwid ... 1_xkf7k951

---J