Azrael wrote:

hyperboarder wrote:

Alaskaleather.comProbably The Motorcycle Shop in Anchorage, I'd anticipate needing a new rear and possibly front tire at that point, so I'd definitely be a customer.

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.

hyperboarder wrote:

Azrael wrote:

hyperboarder wrote:

Alaskaleather.comProbably The Motorcycle Shop in Anchorage, I'd anticipate needing a new rear and possibly front tire at that point, so I'd definitely be a customer.

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.

Well based on responses so far, looks like this is 2 years out, eh?    Probably good, I need time to convince the wife that it's ok to have 3 bikes and find a way to pay for the third.  I really don't care for the cast wheels on the Strom, otherwise it's a decent bike, though I keep coming back to the 1150's.  They're getting harder to find, but many out there come nicely farkled.

For those that are really interested, how much time can you take off?  I realize that's a big question 2 years out, but the more I read, the more I think it'll be 3 weeks minimum.  Also, how big do you want to go?  Like I said, I want to take the Dempster all the way out to Inuvik and the Dalton all the way up to Deadhorse.  Neither are for the faint of heart.

Last edited by hyperboarder (2011-07-27 14:06:26)

Yeah, it's hard to say so far out, but since I'll still be new in my career, 2 weeks is probably my max. However, I really would like to find a way to make the whole trip.  Still need to figure out how I could afford a bike by then, anyways.   

I usually know in Nov/Dec what my vacation schedule will be like for the following year. I have to bid for it. 

Length wise, I could possibly do 20 ish days, all depend on my bid award and what I can drop from my schedule.  But if this thing really does come together, I will make it work.

Next for me is the bike situation... Hell I would even do it on my YZ400F, love that thing   But realistically I need to get something else.  I'm going to put my YZ for sale and see what happens.  Then start keeping my eye out for some bikes. 
Then I need to figure out shipping the bike to the starting point or where ever.

Could be amazing 

I might be in, but not on a bike, I can follow in a lightly modified Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Also thinking of a Tacoma sometime in the future.  Either way, it should be capable enough for light to moderate off highway conditions.

Depending on timing, we could do some of the big parts (Dempster, Dalton, etc.) in the early stages so people could peel off early if need be.  I implore anyone really interested to check out some RR's and spend some time on Google Maps.  This is a long ass trip, probably north of 6 or 7k miles total, and roads up north aren't really 80mph worthy .

Topher wrote:

I could probably float 3wks. But I'd prefer to do 2wks.

I wish they made a black Versys.

There are some black ones on ADVrider. There isn't that much to paint...
Mine's red.

Here's the link to the previous owner's pics:



http://wadventure.smugmug.com/Motorcycl … 48_X7cGjBb

Azrael wrote:

I'll dream out loud with you. No way I can commit to anything that far out, but the thought intrigues me.

This.


I don't even own a bike though, so....

Do they even make bikes for people as tall as me? 

Azrael wrote:

Not that I could afford it right away, but would this be a fair deal?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcy/2512369083.html

I'd say that's a solid price.  Reasonable mileage, not sure if there were any bugs with the earlier years, but I'd probably email at that price.  My only concern with that is no panniers, I'm putting metal panniers as a must on my equipment list (don't trust plastics in a fall).

Mr. Sociable wrote:

Azrael wrote:

I'll dream out loud with you. No way I can commit to anything that far out, but the thought intrigues me.

This.


I don't even own a bike though, so....

Do they even make bikes for people as tall as me? 

There are plenty of bikes in your size range.  The XR650L comes to mind, not the greatest long distance bike but a dirt monster.  I think it has a 35" seat height.  The DR650's (mine) at stock height are fairly tall too, I think you could definitely find something that'd work.

For those interested, factor weekends into vacation time.  I think Radioman's ride took 25 days and he was moving about as quick as I'd like to with a few different stops.  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?

Azrael wrote:

And some sort of sponsorship would be good.  My first thought earlier was to reach out to 5hr energy, since god knows I'll need it for those long days on the bike.

That stuff works?...I'll be damned.  Or, are we plugging products again.  Red bull gives me wings

Azrael wrote:

Not plugging.  That shit really works.  I used to keep caffeine pills in the car for road trip, now I just need two bottle to keep me alert all day long.

Yep it does work. I was skeptical on a long drive but then tried one. It works.

hyperboarder wrote:

On the luggage conversation, I've heard mixed things about the older BMW panniers but I think they'd be enough.  I had Jesse's on my KLR, they're top notch.  I was leaning more towards Happy Trails as they tend to have a skinnier profile, but as I don't even have the bike yet it remains to be seen.  I think I'm going to go sans top box unless absolutely necessary, I prefer a big dry duffel or something similar behind me to keep the weight down a bit and make the bike easier to balance.

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.