Couple trip reports CO and MI (2 Viewers)

n55luvr · 2025-08-20T06:20:13-0600

First, a quick apology. Came into this forum hot with tons of 200 series questions after selling our 100 series last summer. You guys fielded all questions perfectly and we've since put ~15k miles on a 2019. Been perfect thus far. Thanks again for all the stellar guidance and banter.

I'm an effort to give even a little back, wanted to provide a couple trip reports after a summer of adventuring. For context, mostly stock, bfg ko3 plus one size. Family of 4.

First stop was Silver Lake State Park in Western Michigan.

Had a great time exploring the dunes. Huge area to play around in. Need a 10' flag, rigged something up using front recovery point. Cruiser did great, momentum is key. Driving over huge dunes and not being able to see the other side was interesting at times. Survived this adventure unscathed.

Then I had about a 20 mile trail route planned between the dunes and our next stopping point in Cadillac Michigan. Made it maybe half mile then bailed. Basically the trails were sandy woops, continuously. Really upset the LC suspension. Was brutal and super slow going. Ended up exploring desolate but drivable back roads instead. Had fun. Swung by Mackinac Island then needed back to Ohio.

Next up was a 3500 mile 10 day adventure to Colorado. Was epic...

n55luvr · 2025-08-20T06:30:14-0600

I drove from Ohio to Denver to pick family up, having direct flight to Denver was perfect for the family and allowed me to log some serious solo miles. Loved every single second of driving without the family. Both our and back. Cruise just eats the miles.

Moto of this trip was pack light. Kinda just an excuse for me to buy a bunch of new, lightweight camping gear. Removed 3rd row seats for this trip as we had a couple mountain passes on the agenda.

After spending a few days in Grand lake we headed south of I-70 with a goal of doing Tincup and Medano pass.

We stayed just a few minutes from town of St Elmo. Rolled through there on our way up and over Tincup pass. Our guide book rated it as difficult. Wasn't difficult but you had to pick lines at times. Maybe only needed a spotter twice during the whole trip. Actually put a small dent in the running board, oh well.

You must air down for this trail. Was mostly softball or volleyball sized rocks. Whole trip took us maybe 4 hours. Perfect weather. Didn't see any other trucks really. All sxs, ATV and dirt bike traffic. Cruiser got lots of thumbs up. I think it surprised folks as it came lumbering down the trail. Switchbacks were easy. From the pass down to the town of Tincup the trail was a bit rougher. Mirror lake water crossings were shallow in early August. Scenery was great. No issues.

Next stop was Medano pass. Totally different experience from the rocky Tincup trail. Was mostly sandy trail with a few rock sections. Pretty easy going. Some really tight off camber switch backs but cruiser made it look easy. Several creek crossing were no issue. Pin stripping is a possibility on this reason. Trail may wash out in bad weather so keep an eye on that. We camped bear the dunes, again no issues. Couldn't drive on the dunes but they were massive and really fun to explore. Cruiser did great.

Last stop before airport was a quick run up pikes peak. Went up at 8am, no traffic, great views. Only cars we ran into were a bunch of camo AMGs testing at altitude. Kinda cool.

ravencr · 2025-08-20T06:33:35-0600

Awesome man...look forward to the CO trip report. We did the same thing in our Sequoia at Silver Lake...definitely a lot of WOT runs lol. We have friends that own a couple nice campgrounds in the Cadillac, MI area. Lots to do up there.

Chris

n55luvr · 2025-08-20T07:15:24-0600

Couple miscellaneous shots and parting thoughts...

Gas boil came up in the mountain passes. Smelled it but never thought much of it. Ran 87 plus ethenol entire trip. Never unscrewed the gas gap to investigate further. Also we never fill past initial shut off click.

Ran Tincup mostly in 4lo 1st thru 3rd gears. 18 psi. Maybe 6 mpg for the trip.

Road travels saw a consistent 16 to 18 mpg.

Medano pass mostly 2nd and 3rd in 4lo.

Air pump concerns. Before the trip we bought the new Ridgid 18v pump. Works great at sea level. Fills a 33 inch tire quickly, like 2 minutes. At elevation, not so much. Took 2 6ah batteries and drained both. We had maybe 3 air downs and fills on the trip. Will use hard wired viair pump in the future.