As a former Masshole I agree with the recommendation of American Harley for a great dealer in the area. You do not want to live in Fitchburg but there is a good indy there Froshow customs on river st. Good luck up there and thank you for your service.

 

You've gotten a lot of good advice so far, but if you'd like to get familiar with some of the best rides in the MA, VT, NH, CT area, check out www.newenglandriders.com. They are a 'non-group' of mixed brand bikers that know all the best roads and places to eat. I'd characterize them as a mostly upper middle class group of riders (Gold Wings, ST1300s, BMWs, and a few Harleys) that are easy to get on with and put together lots of rides. Their website has some of the best documented good loop rides in New England.

They're a very open group and if you want to meet up with them, they have an active forum and an open calendar of rides. Just sign-on and show up.

 

You are absolutely right! What a great old-school, "side-of-the-road" dealer! Friendly folks, great service and great prices! Thanks for the tip!

 

i cant comment on the riding but as an out of towner boston was really nothing like i expected.I went up there for a few days earlier this year.I figured i would have to watch my back everywhere being a big city and all.To me the place was like a giant park.It was like disney land.I rode the subway and walked about ....100 miles i think.Lots of history stuff to see.I think headphones and a backpack is mandatory there.Most people spoke different languages.It felt good to hear the typical boston accent though.Most everyone seemed really friendly.Some almost acted surprised that you spoke to them.From tv and movies i always expected i could fit in south boston....good will hunting and stuff.Theres also hardly any fat people there....but at the same time aorund the college area especially most dudes look like they are from a harry potter movie or somthing.Also there seems to be no where to take a leak.I caught myself feeling a little weird after reading memorials to civil war soldiers and then realizing it was dedicated to the north...seriously wtf? I caught myself looking around as if i had fallen down and wondered if anyone saw me....then i just laughed at myself.I dont know where ordinary people work at there though.Seemed everything was like foodworker or banker nothing in between.Overall my experience there was great.I miss it.I wish i had gone sooner and i hope i find a reason to go back...still kinda in love with a girl i saw on the subway....

 

Ive lived in mass all 40 years. 30 of them in whitman 30 clicks south of boston. If you get down that way look for rt 58 that will be nice riding through hanson, halifax, and really opens up after that towards the cape. Be careful on weekends toward the cape, backroads thend to back up as much as the highways on friday evenings and sat mornings. Best riding I can suggest for where you will be located is Go North. NH toward North Conway, Or Maine rt 1 is a beautiful ride along the coast.

 

OP, did you survive the Boston traffic chaos, and potholes? I grew up in NY/LI and love driving there, and drove a CTA bus in Chicago. I dread driving in Boston, it is psychotic. I dropped a wheel on my car, in a small but deep pothole, in 1978. It was so deep, I bent the rim.

I was there in '97, and everyone was driving on the shoulder on the Interstate. I was like WTF, why aren't they getting arrested. Then I see a sign saying during rush hour you can drive on the shoulder. Crazy.