Ed,
I did the same thing a few years ago.. Bought a ticket to LA and went out for a 97 GS.. Came back thru northern AZ, and New Mexico.. Great, Oklahoma, not so great, and Ark, great..
I told my wife the adventure was worth the price of the bike.. If the bike ended up worth 0.. I was even..
That's just a great way to get a bike and a ride.. I thought later, I should have bought one in Alaska..
By the way, thats nice lookin strom..