Originally Posted by emwolb

another thing in colorado that you may wanna check out is garden of the gods in colorado springs, beautiful. and i can't think of where the guy who found a place on i40 that's 11,000 feet in elevation. couldn't be flagstaff area which is the highest on i forty. now the pass just west of denver is just over 11,000 feet.

Originally Posted by buzduz74

Have done it past 8 years from Florida. Always make UT part of my trip. Looked at the Limited but kept my 05 and put new cyls on. I guess it is like an old shoe. 50,000 miles all around the west and one coast to coast, so I will try for 100,000 miles.

Originally Posted by scarygt

Man I was looking at this old thread and getting excited about running Utah again. And I'm really excited to do it on my new Limited!

Originally Posted by Hackd

Ya gotta ask this question: If you were driving this in a 2007 automobile, would you be taking tools along?

That being asked/said: I carry a tool kit that I've amassed as a result of doing routine service on my 93 FLHS. It's got an assortment of sockets, combination wrenches, allen wrenches, combo screwdriver, electric tape, small hose clamps etc. all wrapped in a couple shop rags. It is packed in a small plastic tool box I got from Sears, and fits into the bottom of my saddle bag. I've had my bike for 16 years, so I know where all the 'possible problems' are. Anything major: I've got a VISA/AMEX and my cell phone. Pretty much what I'd have to do if my 2007 Malibu SS broke down...

I know, a bike tends to have things 'rattle loose', but the major concern I'd have (with a newer bike) would be a flat tire. From you sig pic, you've got laced wheels? When you pick up a nail, they will go flat. Right now. And then you're looking for a tow. Obviously you've got a cell phone (good or bad, doesn't just about everyone?), I always take the HOG Touring atlas with me. The maps suck, but it does show where the nearest dealer is located. And gives the phone number.

Personally, I would forget the 'camping' part, and roll into a decent motel for the evening. I'm not against roughing it (NP cabins can be rather spartan), but after a long day on the E-way, I'm ready for a hot shower, and a beer. Or two. I try and find a place where I can put the bike to bed, and walk 'next door' (so to speak) and either get a 12 pack, or sit down and have some food/drink. Camping can be done 'basic', but I tend to pack way more than necessary. Also those cabins tend to fill up, especially during peak travel periods. Motels eliminate all/most of that, and most motels have a washer/dryer on site, so if you get caught in the rain you can dry stuff (Did I say to pack everything into a large trash bag, then stuff it into your saddle bags/tour pak?). Or wash your shorts after that blue hair just scared the crap out of ya...

I normally will not ride at night, especially if I'm not traveling with a buddy. Too many 'bad things' can happen when you're alone. Think lying in a ditch (after the blue hair came over into your lane) when it's pitch black. And the next couple hundred cars don't see ya. Not trying to scare ya, but I've had this thought several times when I was pushing to do that 'last 100 miles'. Or it was raining so hard, that I couldn't see the scrap of semi tire that lay in the road... I will start after breakfast, and ride until around 5-6pm (or until it gets dark if I'm pushing it).

Speaking of weather: If you don't have a good (I mean GOOD), set of rain gear. Get it now. Try it on, before you buy it. Try it on with your riding leathers on. Try it on standing up because that's what you'll be doing along side the road one day. Practice getting it on, 'cause when it's pouring is not the time to learn. I have all my rain gear in one 'package': 2-piece suit, rubber gauntlets with cotton glove inserts (rain hurts at 70 mph), Totes boots that FIT over my riding boots, and clear saftey glasses (windshields don't seem to keep it out my eyes). It all folds down and I place it on top of the 'high side' saddle bag. At the first indication of rain (Hint: look for cars/trucks with their wipers on coming opposite direction), I pull over and get the bibs and the boots on. I make a 'decision' then whether to don the whole getup or hold off. If I hold off, I only need to throw the jacket/gloves on. Which is a quick stop, when there isn't an underpass to get out of the deluge.