i can get 27 days off in a row... 15 vacation, plus 6 days off on either end...

though i may try to make this trip happen before 2013

AspenMike wrote:

My new bike was the Happy Trails test mule... they designed their racks for the Versys on it. I can attest how well made the stuff is. The woman who owned my bike managed to lose both cans at one point, and they're barely dinged- (she had trouble getting the attachments tight enough) but she was trying to turn the bike into a true dual-sport, and it's not. Anyway, HT did all the mods- heated grips, motor guards, skid plate, heated clothing connector, etc.. I think the boxes I have are a tad on the small side... I might try and trade up to something a little bigger.

I like the sound of your trip... who knows what I'll be doing then.

I've been to their shop in Boise, spent like $900 on gear and parts in there.  Great guys, great products, definitely on the smaller side but solid.

b dash rian wrote:

i can get 27 days off in a row... 15 vacation, plus 6 days off on either end...

though i may try to make this trip happen before 2013

When were you thinking?  I have no doubt that I could swing next summer, but some other folks that are interested in going have voiced concern about that slightly truncated timeline.

Azrael wrote:

Not sure how well a rental would do on some of these routes.  However, with all the talk of support vehicles, we'll have to discuss the logistics of getting my pups on the road.  One big thing for me is that I feel camping is blasphemous without my dogs coming along.

My concern with dogs (and people for that matter) is wildlife.  As Canada isn't quite as liberal with guns, I don't think I'll be bringing any, and thus I'd like to keep the chances of encountering a bear or moose to a minimum.

Alright, when I get the cash in hand, I'm going to need to be on top of things so I can snag another deal like this:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=710693

b dash rian wrote:

If i were to go on a trip like this, ground rules would need to be laid:

1.  NO GPS.  This is my BIGGEST pet peeve having just come from a BMW rally.  You're on a bike.  turn off the electronics, and absorb the road.  Go "old school" o as my dad and i call it "Amish GPS."  A Map.  Join AAA and get 2 per state per year (if you wear out 2 maps in states other than your own, applaud yourself.)

2.  See number 1.  Seriously.

3.  No Slab.  Yeah, none.  Interstate is for cars and Iron Butt riders.

In all honesty, if i was to go, which i do plan to at some point, it would be (relatively) spur of the moment, and either Solo, or with my dad.  I'm not the biggest fan of riding in groups.  Unless its a "set rendezvous points and times, and find your own route there" type deal

Debby freaking downer there Brian!    I agree with the GPS rule, unless we have been going in the same circle for the last three days.

For big trips like that I prefer riding with a couple other people (not a huge group), it is nice to have other people there when things go wrong, especially in the middle of nowhere.

You guys work out if you need a support vehicle or not.  I am pretty ok if you want to take a trail and I drive to a campsite on a road and make camp.

hyperboarder wrote:

Also, as this is getting to be big, we should look into some sponsorship stuff.  Maybe our auto forum overlords, any local dealers or businesses, hell maybe even Saab?  Topher, you know anyone?

I spoke to my friend today, and he says there's a good chance we could get some schwag from his old shop (Going to try to refrain from using there name so that the fact that we got it for free doesn't come up in google).  Basically: possibly a round of free sheepskin ass pads, and maybe some shirts and stickers to help advertise them.

Azrael wrote:

I spoke to my friend today, and he says there's a good chance we could get some schwag from his old shop (Going to try to refrain from using there name so that the fact that we got it for free doesn't come up in google).  Basically: possibly a round of free sheepskin ass pads, and maybe some shirts and stickers to help advertise them.

Sweet, we'll keep Schmalaska Schleather on the back burner, I hear their ass pads are money.

b dash rian wrote:

agreed. they have a place, or like hyper said, to track progress.

and yeah, slab to get there is sometimes ok, but you can often blast backroads at 80 and not have to ride highways


hyper, i'm down for mongolia.  or how about when we get to deadhorse, we turn around and ride to patagonia? :nostar:

The other thing the GPS is really good for is keeping an eye on gas levels.  There are 2-300 mile stretches of no gas on the route, so they help keep those from sneaking up on you.  Anyone ever run a radar detector on a bike?  I think that'd be an accessory on mine, I'd like to avoid the RMP if at all possible.

Funny you should mention patagonia, I was researching some stuff in southern Chile last night, spent like 3 weeks down there over Xmas a few years back.  The riding down there would be fucking unreal.  After riding in a sprinter van through Torres Del Paine, I can only imagine how awesome it'd be on a bike.  Maybe 2014?

Azrael wrote:

hyperboarder wrote:

Azrael wrote:

Just got a reply.  It was Alaskaleather.com, still in Anchorage.  They specialize in aftermarket, including tires.  He said there's the possibility of a discount by dropping his name.

Ah, another good one.  They sell the best sheepskin seat covers in the business I hear.

I was talking to him last night for a bit.  The owner and her husband recently switched over from BMWs to the KTM 990s and like them a lot.  However, they said that if they were doing a trip like this, they wouldn't settle for anything less than the bimmers.  It also seems that the folks in the ADV report you first linked to seem to agree.  They seem to like the Tigers, but seem to miss their bimmers.

Beamers, bitch.

Good movie.

hyperboarder wrote:

Oodles-Of-Noodles wrote:

You guys work out if you need a support vehicle or not.  I am pretty ok if you want to take a trail and I drive to a campsite on a road and make camp.

Don't worry, I think that's a decision that's still a ways out .

Another dose of reality for those interested in coming: Google maps says the route from Fort Collins -> Inuvik -> Deadhorse -> Anchorage -> Fort Collins is 8600 miles (this route includes the Dempster, Top of the World, and the Dalton/Haul Rd).  That is an assload of time in a bike seat.  I've done 800 mile days and they hurt.  I can't imagine 11 of them, but on the right bike they are indeed possible.

I also ran some numbers, and I'm looking at about $14k out of pocket including the bike.  That's assuming 40mpg @ $4/gal avg, here's my breakdown:

Bike                    8000
Extras/Parts    3000
Gas                    900
Camping            250
Food                    500
Hotels            250
Misc                    1000
Total                 13900

Again, you only live once and I'm on board for this, just want to make sure anyone that's legitimately interested knows what they're in for.

You forgot:

Preparation H    150

(BTW, I am thinking about trying to make this trip now  )
Think a 300cc 2-stroke'll work?  Almost want to do it for the Iamchris factor.

(Although, maybe I'll bring my wiafu, 4x4/camper and a sag wagon full of parts)

Hey... that might work.
Wife and I can take turns driving the truck while the other rides (the more heinous offroad sections - not the slab , or anything over 45-60 mph)  Our trailer can carry three bikes and loads of spares and tools.  She might be down for that if you guys aren't douchebags.  Wait, is it over before it starts?     Actually sounds like our kind of vacation.

Last edited by scot_douglas (2011-07-29 10:40:17)

I stay away from ADVRider.  You see, I am very impressionable and have this problem with OCD...

hyperboarder wrote:

2 smokes are doable, but I can't guarantee we'll wait for you .

It's geared for tight woods and still does 80.

Biggest PITA would be carrying the oil if I joined solo.  3 gallon tank geared for the road might get me 150 mile range, the suspension travel would be nice and I can change a piston in 30 minutes.