Ride from Colo Springs to Ouray Colo- 4th? Updated

This was summer 2010.
Anyone want to ride from Colorado Springs to Ouray on the west side on Friday? Return Sunday or Monday? Takes about 6 hours of riding, 3 passes to go over, possible perfect or real poor weather as this is Colorado. Going for a couple of days, you can ride along as far as you want or keep on going. Real nice area Ouray, there is a couple of campgrounds near by. I will be staying at a friends house.
I have two 82 KZ's and I have yet to pick either the 1000 or the 1100. Both are for cruising and not going to be a high speed ticket chasing run. Stopping along the way for fuel and some rests, food etc.

There and back with ease on the 1100 shaft, 40+mpg at 6-9000ft altitude, cruising at 65-70. Some cool weather but otherwise dry. Bike was perfect, thought this would be a great way of seating in the rings after the top end job. 65mph= 4000rpm, stock tire sizes, same bike in my AVATAR. Bought it from the original owner, it had been sitting for 13 years with the top end off. He had lost an exhaust shim which punched a hole in the head. He had a reman head/ rings/ top gaskets all with the bike. I got a new cam chain/ springs for the tensioner/ wrist pin clips/ and a battery. Changed out all of the fluids etc. What a great bike!

OK so the 4th is coming in about 2 weeks, I'm going to do the Ouray ride again, but thinking of going to BEND OREGON then SEATTLE and back to Colorado Springs. Any Kawasaki Jockey's willing to do some of the trip? Want to be able to leave/ return at will. About 1500mi to Seattle from here in the Springs.
Last trip I took the 1100 Shaft, this time I want to take the 1000 LTD, I just put on a Vetter fairing and hard bags I scored cheap,$99. Bike looks awesome all dressed up, so I want to visit a friend in Bend that has around 60 bikes, and do some riding there.
The NW can be great in the summer, but can also rain a lot, just like here in Colorado.

Sounds like some nice riding you have planned.

Isn't it nice to hop on whichever bike fits your mood and go riding.

Yea its summer and I want to just ride while all of the gas prices are still not to bad. I got nearly 44mpg on the 1100 at high altitude. Can't wait to see what the 1000 will do at sea level.

Hey Motor Head, I am in Grand Junction. If you are passing by this way, shoot me a pm and I'll try and hook up with ya. We have a vintage bike night every Thursday night, it is a fun time, mostly vintage bikes, but there are always a few newer ones too...just in case you pass thru on Thursday

Did you read through? I will be going through Grand J after the 4th weekend, then on to Bend, weekend there then on to Seattle. So maybe Monday or Tuesday to ride through Grand J.
I spent an hour on Google maps trying to get the route mapped, but that thing wouldn't leave my route in 1 place, keep trying to move me onto suggested routes. Probably for some of their advertisers, freeways are faster sure but like the 2 lane sights!
I'll try some more and if I get it to work right I'll post a link to the map.

OK going to throw this link in for Goggle maps,

maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&sadd....922895,5.559082&z=8

I think it should show the route although the directions were only for route flow.
:laugh:

OK Tomorrow is the day. This is the route I've Decided on, but it shows from Ouray Colorado To Bend Then Issaquah Wash. I left the Colorado Springs leg off, that thing will start jumping everywhere trying to add it.
Should be some real Scenic country, some I've been through before, years ago.


maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&sadd....008769,2.787781&z=9

Summer 2011
Well this thread is from last summer, but thought I'd get it out of mothballs. Going to do another ride starting this Friday. I've been getting the 82 1000LTD ready again for a good ride and some camping. This is the main reason for the Vetter equipment guy's, Touring.
Anyway last summer I rode over through Oregon and saw a friend in Bend. This year he is going to ride his 06 V Strom over to Colorado. So I'm going to meet him in Greenriver, Utah. This is my proposed route up over several passes and almost NO Freeway. Just 2 lanes and plenty of curves.
Here is a Google Map Link: maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Colorado+Spri...5,6,7,8,9,10,11&z=11

Hopefully it works, and should have the detailed route instructions. For those of you interested in this type of riding, out in the country, you and your bike. Tent camping wherever looks good, doesn't have to be a campground. Should be about 5-6 days of freedom.

Just back from a week of riding across Colorado and some of Utah. First as above to meet up with a friend in Green river, then down to Moab, over the mountains to Gateway, on to Ouray, across the lower area following Wolf Creek, back up through the mountains towards the house. Then I chased him back to the Flaming Gorge reservoir in the Ashley National forest in Utah, then I headed back while he went back to Bend, Oregon. We had a couple of days back at the house to relax before he went back. Zero rain, lots of good weather, no breakdowns, no oil consumption, no flats. All good. Just hot everyday unless you were above 9K feet. We never got below 5K feet. One big ride a summer, just get out there and enjoy!
Here is a couple of more Google map links for anyone interested.
maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Green+River,+...mra=ls&via=2,10&z=11


maps.google.com/maps?saddr=union+and+dub...sz=10&via=1,2,3&z=10



Where I camped in CO between Delta and Grand Junction, there is a creek there with my Beer staying cold. Also a quick dip to get the sweat off, about 98 outside


This is the View above Cripple Creek CO


The View N from the Gravel between Moab, UT and Gateway,CO

Dang Motor, I moved to FLA in May, I would have loved to have done that. I grew up riding in those parts. Back then I was young and confused though, I rode FZR's and GSX-R's