LD Riding on the Yamaha FZ1 My Y2K K1200LT is about worn out with 58K miles and has been relegated to 2-up work, at least that's the excuse I used . On the Friday before leaving for Paonia I purchased a Yamaha FZ1 to use as a 1-up sport-tourer. All the magazine articles set me up and the test ride delivered the finishing punch - along with an out the door price of $7750. I told the dealer I was going to Colorado and he handed me a filter and 4 quarts of oil - said that was it for the 600mi service . Using Helen's bags (plug) for tent, sleeping bag, and personal gear I headed fro Paonia via Flagstaff. The gear remained secure throughout the trip The first day I did 750 comfortable miles, due to my miracool vest, crossing Oklahoma via Hwy 64, and stopping only to set up camp in the daylight hours in Clayton N.M. Next day after some riding around the Taos area I arrived in Flag. I then hooked up with friends from Tucson and headed for Paonia. At Paonia I did purchase a dry bag from Helen, a great way to carry the damp cool vest when not wearing it. I also purchased a set of taxi seat beads which helped keep my buns from sticking to the (seat) pan . Paonia was .... as always ...great. Following Paonia I stayed in the area doing the Durango - Cortez - Telluride loop a couple of times. I even made a return trip to Taos and Red River for grins. The bike, as a sport tourer for me, is nothing short of awesome. The Gunnison Canyon, Taos area, etc. runs were a treat. It pulls like a train from idle and handles as though it were on rails. For a 2 week 5600 mile trip I had no wrist, elbow, shoulder, knee, or back pain. The fairing coverage is adequate (or lack thereof is desirable in the summer heat ). I still have a little tread on the 020's and have done 2 more oil changes on a three week old bike. I'm home now and more impressed with the bike than ever. Made the return trip from Delta Colorado to home in 19 hours. That's about 1050 miles and the only interstate was the 70 miles from Joplin to Springfield. Rolling through Wichita at 1900 (7PM) the temp was still 107! The Miracool vest ($27) again saved my bacon from being fried. I was worried about deer after dark but couldn't see them through the BUGS. Colorado is fun but Kansas, Oklahoma, or Texas sure don't make it easy to get there - the FZ1 helped immensely . Tom Gainesville, Mo.