...the only way to get the bike from VA to IL would be fly to IL VA and ride it home by the twistiest route you can find.
FIFY
..anyway, congrats HiccaB' on the new to you bike. It was difficult for me to take the advice of so many about the
original tires but
they are correct it's a must replacement to fully enjoy and especially to evaluate your new bike.
The muffler advice is more of a personal thing, if you like it sewing machine quiet then stick with the stock bazooka,
if not then V&H CS ones are nice and many like the Delkvic. I've stayed with stock as I think the silence makes the acceleration seem
even more powerful. I leave my bags on all the time, if I rode much without them and was worried about appearance then maybe I'd
have a V&H CS one. There is a weight difference for sure, but I'm not sure how much it can be felt on a 670+lb. bike, especially when
the weight is so low. Those who dislike the stock muffler (and there are many) do it with much fervor, I personally don't think it's
warranted, but to each their own.
I'm sure that there are some here that prefer others, but I think that for dollar value and performance the Rostra CC from Murph's
is your best bet for electronic cruise control, assuming you or a buddy have the skills needed to install it.
As for your residential hell (aka ILLinois..) I feel your pain, I was there for too many years and moved to purgatory (aka Texas),
so escape
is possible. Good Luck!