long trip planned
Stage I
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Texas
The wife and I did a Texas to Alaska trip in 04' two up on a Ultra that was less than a year old.
Bike came home with gravel dings, worn out shocks, and in need of tires.
Regrets?
Not a one.
Would love to do it again but at 72 it probably won't happen.
Just because The Milepost says there is fuel does not mean the station is open. Along the Alcan they tend to close without warning and if there is a forest fire, fuel may be reserved for the fire fighting crews which means you won't get any. We fueled first chance after a hundred miles whether we thought there was fuel ahead or not.
You can ride long hours but don't. Take your time and enjoy the adventure.
Little signs along the road posting "Dusty Conditions" means pavement is about to end. Could be fifty feet or could be several miles of gravel/dirt due to road damage and or construction.
The grated bridges are something else> lol
Bike came home with gravel dings, worn out shocks, and in need of tires.
Regrets?
Not a one.
Would love to do it again but at 72 it probably won't happen.
Just because The Milepost says there is fuel does not mean the station is open. Along the Alcan they tend to close without warning and if there is a forest fire, fuel may be reserved for the fire fighting crews which means you won't get any. We fueled first chance after a hundred miles whether we thought there was fuel ahead or not.
You can ride long hours but don't. Take your time and enjoy the adventure.
Little signs along the road posting "Dusty Conditions" means pavement is about to end. Could be fifty feet or could be several miles of gravel/dirt due to road damage and or construction.
The grated bridges are something else> lol
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 242
Likes: 9
From: Gibbsboro NJ
Awesome info!!! Thanks to all! I have done many grated bridges and I know what you mean. Left Right Left Right etc. till the end. I will certainly be bringing x-tra fuel along. I'll be traveling alone (as I want it). I'll go as far as I want. The road dropping to gravel at 60 is an experience I've had and didn't enjoy!
Steve
Steve
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 306
Likes: 8
From: Homer Alaska
Don't forget to bring tire repair kits and some sort of compressor !!
Had a couple friends ride to TOK this weekend which is not far from the Canadian border and blew a tire . He had plugs , fixed it and on his way .
Enjoy your trip .
RR
Had a couple friends ride to TOK this weekend which is not far from the Canadian border and blew a tire . He had plugs , fixed it and on his way .
Enjoy your trip .
RR
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 606
From: USA
Been to Alaska twice. In '02 I traveled across Canada from Ontario, then up the Dalton Hwy to the Artic Circle. In '12 I went across to Washington then thru BC and the Yukon and up to Anchorage. The roads were better the second trip but then again I only traveled part of the Alaskan Hwy. The roads can change from pavement to gravel to mud in an instant. As far as gas, I stopped about every 100 miles (that gave me a half tank of gas). A lot of gas stations are not open very late (7PM) and rooms fill up quick when evening approaches. Many vehicles carry gas cans on them. Also, you can't rely on cell phones in many areas. I carried one of the SPOT messengers with me just in case. As was already mentioned, plan on changing a tire (due to wear) on the trip.
It's an awesome ride, be safe and enjoy!!
It's an awesome ride, be safe and enjoy!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
Google alaskapade. You'll get a good idea of the trip
My suggestion. Take you old bike. When you return get new one. It will be that beat up
I special built the bike I took to Alaska. Started with a salvage title bike fixed the necessary items did not worry about the rest and sold it when I returned home.
It made the trip more enjoyable as I was unconcerned about bike damage
My suggestion. Take you old bike. When you return get new one. It will be that beat up
I special built the bike I took to Alaska. Started with a salvage title bike fixed the necessary items did not worry about the rest and sold it when I returned home.
It made the trip more enjoyable as I was unconcerned about bike damage
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 242
Likes: 9
From: Gibbsboro NJ
Thanks to all again for the info!! I finished up shopping and decided to run the road king for the trip. I've had no probs with this bike and enjoy the way it rides. I'll do a heavy maintenance to it including starting with new tires.
Everyone should watch that Alaskapade video. He did a fantastic job!! I'm also ordering up Milepost for the avail info!
New question, I'm changing the cam chain tensioners on my 06"88".
Do I need to press out the cams if I'm just going to change tensioners and inner bearings? What about oil pressure spring?
Thanks
Steve
ps best deal I got for new bikes was $15000 and my bike for a 2013 limited with 1000 mi. Best for new ultra was $19000 and my bike.
I was willing to spend $10,000 for the 2013. Showed them cash and no deal!
Everyone should watch that Alaskapade video. He did a fantastic job!! I'm also ordering up Milepost for the avail info!
New question, I'm changing the cam chain tensioners on my 06"88".
Do I need to press out the cams if I'm just going to change tensioners and inner bearings? What about oil pressure spring?
Thanks
Steve
ps best deal I got for new bikes was $15000 and my bike for a 2013 limited with 1000 mi. Best for new ultra was $19000 and my bike.
I was willing to spend $10,000 for the 2013. Showed them cash and no deal!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Take a journal and a pen. Pictures are great but when I read back through my road logs, it takes me back in a way pictures never could. I start every entry with date, place, time and weather.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: TN
Hey everybody, I'm planning a trip from south NJ to Prudhoe bay Alaska.
I currently have a 2006 road king with 28 k miles I bought new. The bike is in good shape. I,m deciding between buying a new ultra (mostly for the warranty) or tossing a couple $K to replace any possible wear items prior.
I'd replace cam tensioners and oil pump, tires and brakes, drive belt, clutch plates, plugs etc. I'm torn because I think that the roads will just beat the heck out of a new bike anyway. I'm estimating 12k to 15k miles round trip.
Any opinions are welcome. If anyone has made this type of trip and wants to share any info that would be appreciated also.
I currently have a 2006 road king with 28 k miles I bought new. The bike is in good shape. I,m deciding between buying a new ultra (mostly for the warranty) or tossing a couple $K to replace any possible wear items prior.
I'd replace cam tensioners and oil pump, tires and brakes, drive belt, clutch plates, plugs etc. I'm torn because I think that the roads will just beat the heck out of a new bike anyway. I'm estimating 12k to 15k miles round trip.
Any opinions are welcome. If anyone has made this type of trip and wants to share any info that would be appreciated also.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 242
Likes: 9
From: Gibbsboro NJ
Dochawken
I'm riding solo!!