Steve-for a cross country ride I´d recommend an ´07 or later. As of ´07 they updated the transmission as well as bearings and seals for greater reliability. The only things that have failed on my ´07 patrol are the speedo cable and the turn signal flasher; neither item critical enough to end a trip.(If only my R1200 were this reliable.)Have a safe trip and if you get to CT look us up.-John