Headed to Prudhoe Bay in June

[Karson]

Yep, thems the boys. Well, I've never been totally covered in mud like you may encounter, but I took mine off a couple times in a year or so and it was clean as a hound's tooth up in there. I think if they're put on good and tight, etc., they will do the trick. I know that the boys who had them didn't have any fork leaking problems. Maybe some of them will chime in. R

Great point - I'm sure if someone just slaps them on there with no attention to actually making the seal tight is where the majority of the problems might start...

 

[jajpko]

I had both the kriega and the dirt skins and prefer the dirt skins. The Kriegas are too short and will start cracking over a short period of time.
The Dirt Skins are longer and don't crack.
I think the longer ones are better at keeping the dirt lower on the fork and lessening the sand paper effect. jmho

 

[Neonguy95]

Re: Headed to Prudhoe Bay in June

Already have dirt skins on there.

The route we have planned knocks out the miles early in the trip and then again on the return side. A couple of lighter days planned. We aren't idiots, this is not our first trip out anywhere and we know our limitations. It won't be easy but it will be FUN.

I thought that is why we ride anyway. If I only did things people told me I could do I would be sitting in a welfare line.

 

[William42]

You know you are going to have a great ride.

You might want to take a tow strap for those "other" bikes. ::025::

 

[Neonguy95]

Re: Re: Headed to Prudhoe Bay in June

You know you are going to have a great ride.

You might want to take a tow strap for those "other" bikes. ::025::

Thanks William

 

[RockyDS]

The Tenere fork seals do need protection as stated. Here's my belt and braces solution.

You're obviously well prepared though, so I'm sure you'll have a great trip whatever transpires. Good luck.

 

[coastie]

I don't know about Alaska as I've never been there, and there is the dirt from north of Fairbanks up to Prudhoe Bay, but other than that 600 miles a day is nothing on paved roads. I rode the USA Four Corners Tour twice on an old 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000 and had no problem with 10,000+ miles in 13 days on the road each time. John Ryan rode 5700 miles give or take from Prudhoe Bay to Key West in 3 1/2 days on a FJR1300 in June a couple years back. I always ride 800+ miles a day when I'm on a long trip with time limits.

Damn, that is 10+ hour days if you can average 75mph. I did 1200 in one shot last year. I think it took me about 21hrs. I was not physically tired when i was finished, but i was sick of riding and I sure as hell did not want to get back on the bike the next morning when I woke up. Good thing i was already back home.

 

[jaderider]

Re: Headed to Prudhoe Bay in June

Did it last year. There and back to Texas. 10,000 miles in 30 days with a handful of 1 day breaks. Managed it with just enough packed. Bike was not as heavy and thankfully did not need all that I packed. Someone suggested to pack an 18" inner tube to get me out if tire trouble for those time when a plug will not do.
Someone suggest a CB radio for when cellphones did not work.

Like others say, as you move north your schedule goes out the door. Speed limits are lower in Canada, and once you move past Dawson Creek, the frequency of potholes, gravel sections, construction stops and the risk of moose on the road should make you slow down.
If you can, and are riding it back, take the Cassiar south. Awesomeness.
good luck.
Check my blog at http://www.2endslavery.org for some details http://www.2endslavery.org


___________________
help end slavery. ride for freedom. www.2endslavery.org

 

[toompine]

Install a set of those little neoprene fork seal protector thingys. And maybe have an extra set with you. As I recall, every bike that went up there without them, came back with leaky forks. This may have been mentioned ..... if so, I've said it again. It's important. Best of luck, and yes, as Phplemel said, please check in. You're welcome to camp at my place, etc. Gimme a shout as the time grows near. ::008:: R.

+1 on this. A must. Blowing seals is the only thing that went worng for my on our trip last June. 9,000 miles, 19 days of riding. Your trip is totally doable. I think the key is to start early in the morning. Get up and get gone. Don' t linger at gas stops. Dont take 1 hour lunch breaks. Get on and ride.

Bring lots of beef jerky and snack bars and eat on the run. The breaks should be for taking pictures of wildlife or views that you will never see again.

Lube your shifter mechanisim. In the dust it starts to stick and you will swear you trnasmission is going out. It is not, just a sticky shift link

If the weather is good the trip is EASY. If it rains it is a bit harder. Raods are generally good and not all adventurey difficult.

Dont speed way over the limit. Keep a nice even pace. That is why you want to start early and ride consistent. 60 MPH limit in Canada and they don't like speeders, gravel roads in places, typically no warning for bad pavement, and lots of wild animals that want to block the road at unexpected times. If you run 70 all day you are only talking abott 8 1/2 hours in the saddle. Add in stops and your day will only be about 11 hours. Easy in a place that has 20 hours of daylight.

PM me if you want a lot of detail of our trip

 

[ST-venture]

Take great rain gear and heated liners/gloves to stay comfortable for hours on end in cold, damp weather. [/b]

+1 on the GREAT rain gear! My "waterproof" gear turned out to be not so much, which caused a very wet day on the Dempster and missing out going all the way up the Dalton.