Just back from a week on a job in beautiful Fairbanks, where it was a pleasant -22F and got to do some scouting for the summer. So thought I'd begin a thread where we could share notes for those contemplating a trip up the Haul Road to Prudhoe. Here's a start:
There are two Yamaha dealers in Fairbanks and a dealer in HD/BMW/Honda. My pick if we need something this summer will be:
Choice #1: www.NorthernPowerSports.com (tel) 907-452-2762 I got the best feeling on my visit to this shop. The service manager is Danny and he stocks up on TKC80 tires in late spring for all the riders coming through. He said that if you email him a week ahead of time he can have tires or other parts set aside to make sure they are ready for when you come through. Labor price of changing tires is $90/wheel if on the bike, $45 if the heel is off the bike, and he will knock half of that off if the tires are bought there. Fortunately for us, he sees a LOT of VStroms and we use the same size tires. Danny will hold your street tires while you ride to Prudhoe, so that you have the street tires waiting when you come back through.
Choice #2: www.AlaskaFunCenter.com (tel) 907-452-3455 I'd be willing to use this shop but came away with a better feeling and price at Northern. Price to change tires was $100/wheel if on the bike. They will order parts if you give them a credit card #, whereas Northern knows that if you don't use something, they'll still sell it.
Choice to NOT use for us on Yamahas: www.outpostalaska.com which is a dealer for HD, BMW, Honda, and Victory. This is the easiest to find, since it's at the entrance to the airport and biggest. Cool Harley shirts and very nice people. HOWEVER, they will not work on brands they don't sell, even if we do use the same tire as a R1200GS. Period.
University of Alaska Fairbanks will reportedly again open dorms to summer visitors for $50/night. Contact info: http://www.uaf.edu/reslife
Local wisdom for summer visitors:
#1 & Before ANYTHING else: The Haul Road belongs to the big trucks and don't EVEN think that you have right of way. If a truck is in the mirror or coming the other way, just pull over and wait for him to go by. When they do, keep your visor down due to the stones they throw up/out. (Broken windshields and headlights are normal in Alaska and much of the world with gravel roads.)
Buy a copy of http://milepost.com
The 2012 edition just started to ship and with shipping the cost is $38.94.
Don't be surprised to see more traffic than you expected on the Haul Road. Keep in mind that with 22 hours of sun, some people passing you with their RV/truck/whatever may be seriously sleep deprived. You may be too, if you aren't conscientious about stopping to eat and sleep on a disciplined schedule.
The road may be impassable mud and open a couple of hours later. Watch the weather and be prepared to wait things out. Do carry shelter, food, and water.
WD-40 the bike freely before the Haul Road to minimize sticking of the glacier & volcanic silt. Once dry it can be as tough to remove as dried concrete.
A tow can cost up to $2,000 so have a well serviced bike and spares:
BRING a spare set of brake pads, due to how fast the silt eats them. Same for chains and sprockets if any wear already exists.
Spare essential cables are highly recommended. (throttle & clutch if bike uses cable)
Tires are a LOT cheaper to bring than to buy in Fairbanks. Expect to nearly double the internet price of a tire when you buy in fairbanks. Due to the number of riders coming through in the summer, some brands run out and you may wait for resupply if you've not brought your own or ordered ahead of arrival.
Guns may not be fired within 5 miles of the pipeline and the Troopers take it VERY seriously. You probably won't notice the Troopers in Super Cubs and you do not want them to pay you a visit if you are playing around near the pipeline.
You can camp pretty much anywhere along the Haul Road, but take full bear precautions.
Bear precautions and stories are about as never ending as a thread on which motor oil is best. Same about taking guns and which is best. If you want to discuss those, please start a thread elsewhere and don't pollute this one.
There are two Yamaha dealers in Fairbanks and a dealer in HD/BMW/Honda. My pick if we need something this summer will be:
Choice #1: www.NorthernPowerSports.com (tel) 907-452-2762 I got the best feeling on my visit to this shop. The service manager is Danny and he stocks up on TKC80 tires in late spring for all the riders coming through. He said that if you email him a week ahead of time he can have tires or other parts set aside to make sure they are ready for when you come through. Labor price of changing tires is $90/wheel if on the bike, $45 if the heel is off the bike, and he will knock half of that off if the tires are bought there. Fortunately for us, he sees a LOT of VStroms and we use the same size tires. Danny will hold your street tires while you ride to Prudhoe, so that you have the street tires waiting when you come back through.
Choice #2: www.AlaskaFunCenter.com (tel) 907-452-3455 I'd be willing to use this shop but came away with a better feeling and price at Northern. Price to change tires was $100/wheel if on the bike. They will order parts if you give them a credit card #, whereas Northern knows that if you don't use something, they'll still sell it.
Choice to NOT use for us on Yamahas: www.outpostalaska.com which is a dealer for HD, BMW, Honda, and Victory. This is the easiest to find, since it's at the entrance to the airport and biggest. Cool Harley shirts and very nice people. HOWEVER, they will not work on brands they don't sell, even if we do use the same tire as a R1200GS. Period.
University of Alaska Fairbanks will reportedly again open dorms to summer visitors for $50/night. Contact info: http://www.uaf.edu/reslife
Local wisdom for summer visitors:
#1 & Before ANYTHING else: The Haul Road belongs to the big trucks and don't EVEN think that you have right of way. If a truck is in the mirror or coming the other way, just pull over and wait for him to go by. When they do, keep your visor down due to the stones they throw up/out. (Broken windshields and headlights are normal in Alaska and much of the world with gravel roads.)
Buy a copy of http://milepost.com
The 2012 edition just started to ship and with shipping the cost is $38.94.
Don't be surprised to see more traffic than you expected on the Haul Road. Keep in mind that with 22 hours of sun, some people passing you with their RV/truck/whatever may be seriously sleep deprived. You may be too, if you aren't conscientious about stopping to eat and sleep on a disciplined schedule.
The road may be impassable mud and open a couple of hours later. Watch the weather and be prepared to wait things out. Do carry shelter, food, and water.
WD-40 the bike freely before the Haul Road to minimize sticking of the glacier & volcanic silt. Once dry it can be as tough to remove as dried concrete.
A tow can cost up to $2,000 so have a well serviced bike and spares:
BRING a spare set of brake pads, due to how fast the silt eats them. Same for chains and sprockets if any wear already exists.
Spare essential cables are highly recommended. (throttle & clutch if bike uses cable)
Tires are a LOT cheaper to bring than to buy in Fairbanks. Expect to nearly double the internet price of a tire when you buy in fairbanks. Due to the number of riders coming through in the summer, some brands run out and you may wait for resupply if you've not brought your own or ordered ahead of arrival.
Guns may not be fired within 5 miles of the pipeline and the Troopers take it VERY seriously. You probably won't notice the Troopers in Super Cubs and you do not want them to pay you a visit if you are playing around near the pipeline.
You can camp pretty much anywhere along the Haul Road, but take full bear precautions.
Bear precautions and stories are about as never ending as a thread on which motor oil is best. Same about taking guns and which is best. If you want to discuss those, please start a thread elsewhere and don't pollute this one.
