Arctic Circle
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
From: Central Illinois
Hi Aviator -
Yea - I would say that everything except the Dalton would be fine on a Harley, as the roads are paved and the only real issue is the upper Yukon Territory - the roads up there are paved but there are lots of heaves, like whoops on the highway. The highway, by the way, is all two-lane, or it was in 2009.
Otherwise, the roads are fine and the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Everywhere you go in AK there is something that is just awe-inspiring.
The Canadian Rockies are pretty nice too - I have ridden across the USA a few times and I like to go up through Sweet Grass Montana - this allows you to take advantage of interstates and cheap fuel (as well as pay at the pump which is spotty in Canada), then head into Calgary. From there it is a couple hour ride into the mountains, and then it is mountains all the way to Vancouver.
The below is from the overlook in Kamloops, BC -
best
mqqn
Yea - I would say that everything except the Dalton would be fine on a Harley, as the roads are paved and the only real issue is the upper Yukon Territory - the roads up there are paved but there are lots of heaves, like whoops on the highway. The highway, by the way, is all two-lane, or it was in 2009.
Otherwise, the roads are fine and the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Everywhere you go in AK there is something that is just awe-inspiring.
The Canadian Rockies are pretty nice too - I have ridden across the USA a few times and I like to go up through Sweet Grass Montana - this allows you to take advantage of interstates and cheap fuel (as well as pay at the pump which is spotty in Canada), then head into Calgary. From there it is a couple hour ride into the mountains, and then it is mountains all the way to Vancouver.
The below is from the overlook in Kamloops, BC -
best
mqqn
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 464
Likes: 293
From: Alaska
A friend of mine did this trip last year. Two bikes and a truck. They went Anchorage to Dawson, then Dawson to Inuvik. We believe the road from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk (Tuk) has been completed and is now open.
He is looking for his pictures. I'll post the if I get the link. I have seen them, and it looked like a really great trip. I have been toying with the idea of getting a Suzuki 650 DR or similar just to do the trip.
It was pretty much slippery mud the entire way.
Here is his comment: "On a Harley, perhaps when theres zero rain and zero mud which in spots was 6-8 inches deep and slippery as hell. The guy on the BMW spun out once in the slippery mess, dropped his bike and two of us trying to lift the bike without losing our footing and ending up face down in mud was quite an undertaking."
http://dempsterhighway.com/map-services-along-the-dempster/
He is looking for his pictures. I'll post the if I get the link. I have seen them, and it looked like a really great trip. I have been toying with the idea of getting a Suzuki 650 DR or similar just to do the trip.
It was pretty much slippery mud the entire way.
Here is his comment: "On a Harley, perhaps when theres zero rain and zero mud which in spots was 6-8 inches deep and slippery as hell. The guy on the BMW spun out once in the slippery mess, dropped his bike and two of us trying to lift the bike without losing our footing and ending up face down in mud was quite an undertaking."
http://dempsterhighway.com/map-services-along-the-dempster/
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 17
From: Ontario Canada
I have ridden to the Yukon a number of years ago. You will always find gravel section of the road as due to the deep frost the roads are constantly under repair. The use a salt based product on the gravel areas to keep dust down and it did cause corrosion on the aluminum parts of the bike. Chrome was not affected. In spite of some issues with the gravel I would still do it again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 1,808
From: pa
I just did that trip last year on an 08 RG as mqqn stated the roads up across the Yukon are rough in places some sections 30 miles of dirt and or mud and unfortunately for me I hit rain up there and the entire trip up to Fairbanks and back to the Yukon 5 days worth. I decided not to ride the Dalton due to the mud so I went up by tour car. It was mid july 45 degrees and wet.
After that went down to Jasper BC and down the ice fields to Calgary some spectacular scenes. It can be tough on a Harley touring bike in places after I got back I said I would never do that again.....but I would just on a different bike.
After that went down to Jasper BC and down the ice fields to Calgary some spectacular scenes. It can be tough on a Harley touring bike in places after I got back I said I would never do that again.....but I would just on a different bike.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 464
Likes: 293
From: Alaska
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 610
From: USA
Thanks for the photos. They brought back some memories from Dawson, Chicken, & Tok. Awesome scenery and ride.
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