Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Has anyone done this? What are the roads like. Can it be accomplished on a standard motorcycle. I have a BMW R1150R. It is not an adventure bike. Still it has a high center of gravity and clearance.
I haven't done that ride but a long time ago i knew a guy who did, and it trashed his Honda CB 750 in line 4. The Alcan hi-way was all dirt back then. When i found him, he was in Mass with a busted tranny case from a bad weld repair in AK.
I think your nuts to do this on that bike and you should swap to a duel sport bike instead where you can go off road and have big can saddle bags too, like big enough to take a bath in
I have ridden the USA from NH where i live to Cal spending 10 months out and doing something over 20,000 miles in one ride.
Can't get the right kind of tomatoe bread here in NH
Once i was out west i wished i had a duel sport bike, but i was 2 up and pulling a trailer as it was. My wife is no rider but she likes the fresh air.
If it matters any The bike i would use for that ride would NOT be the beemer duel sport , but the kawii, because you will kill the bike. That will cost you less.
I did it the summer of 1994 on an '83 CB1100F, with my roommate on a FZR1000 (think it was a '92?). No issues, none in the least. We did hop on the ferry and put back in in WA to finish our ride back to MT for the next semester of college instead of riding back down.
I'm sure the roads have changed some since then, but it's 100% road-bike capable. I'd worry more about the BMtroubleU giving you issues... always someone who kills a final drive or shaft on that trip every year. Actually, usually multiples now that I think about it.
People go way overboard with their bikes anymore. The rider with $8000 in 'farkles' isn't going to enjoy the trip any more than the poor college student on his $1500 bike. Don't stress it, you have WAY more info at your fingertips than we even knew existed 2 decades ago. It was kinda "wing and a prayer" time... I never even told my parents. lol
An Alaska ride's definitely on my bucket list. Your R1150R shouldn't have any trouble making the trip, unless you decide you absolutely have to ride all the way to Deadhorse on the Dalton Highway, much of which is heavily washboarded gravel (or so I read, anyway).
But if all you want to do is just ride to Anchorage or Fairbanks -- or "cheat" by visiting Hyder, as many 50-state riders do -- you should have no trouble. Just bring plenty of cash, if you don't plan on camping, or a mosquito-proof tent if you do.
It is definitely something I want to do in retirement, I still have a few years to go. I am in the fact finding phase right now and just hitting up different forums. Sounds like I could do it on my current bike, but maybe something like a V-Strom would be better.
Just a point of information, for those who are going to be riding through Canada, to get to Alaska.
Canada requires that you have a valid US passport, or a Enhanced State drivers license, to enter Canada.
Long gone are the days that saw Americans enter Canada, with just a birth certificate, and a DL.
A further point, don't bother bringing any hand guns to Canada. they are prohibited here. Rifles and shotguns MAY be brought in, BUT the import paperwork must be completed AT the Canadian border entry point, along with the permit fees.
All persons, including American citizens, MUST produce a valid passport, TO RE_ENTER THE USA, so when you get to the Alaskan border, with Canada, be prepared to produce it, for the US border officers.
A final point, fuel in Canada is sold by the liter, so find out the capacity of your bike's tank, in liters, before you set out, and remember that in Canada, motorcycles are required to have their HEADLIGHTS ON at all times, as a safety , and helmets are mandatory, in all parts of Canada.
Slow down, and watch out for moose and elk, especially at dusk.
If I were you I'd put some nobbies on that bike map out good back roads/fire road/dirt road route. What's the point of riding through all that gorgeous country if you have to view it from the interstate.
It is definitely something I want to do in retirement, I still have a few years to go. I am in the fact finding phase right now and just hitting up different forums. Sounds like I could do it on my current bike, but maybe something like a V-Strom would be better.
That's the bike I plan to ride up there. Fortunately I already own one ... a 2007 650 with only 55,000 miles on it, so it's barely broken in.
Have you checked out ADVRider? That's pretty much THE online resource when it comes to adventure biking to Alaska or anywhere else.
A usefull book to have is the Milepost, that gives points of interest, and information about all the stops on the road, from the Canadian border crossings, to Alaska, with phone numbers and contacts, for motels, and fuel stops, and emergency services.
Thanks to all, some good info. I look at ADVrider occasionally and they are a good resource. I am still about two years out on this trip but starting to put some feelers out there. I am doing some week long and long weekend camping type of stuff domestically right now. Planning a Death Valley trip for the end of February.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
That's the bike I plan to ride up there. Fortunately I already own one ... a 2007 650 with only 55,000 miles on it, so it's barely broken in.
