Whitehorse Long haulers - What worked, what didn't??

[newventurer]

I would value any insight those of you that long hauled it to Whitehorse may have gained from planning, executing or forgetting along the way.

I hope to make a trip like this in the future and could use any wisdom gained.

Thanks.

 

[rem]

I would value any insight those of you that long hauled it to Whitehorse may have gained from planning, executing or forgetting along the way.

Thanks.

This is a good post, Freebird. As an objective and casual observer, the only thing I really noticed from my perspective was that some of the guys had marginal cold weather gear. Both riding gear and/or camping gear. It can get very nippy ... and wet. Be prepared for possible freezing temperatures even during the summer. R ::001::

 

[twodogs]

+1 on this post.... plan to make this trip next year.

 

[HoebSTer]

This is a good post, Freebird. As an objective and casual observer, the only thing I really noticed from my perspective was that some of the guys had marginal cold weather gear. Both riding gear and/or camping gear. It can get very nippy ... and wet. Be prepared for possible freezing temperatures even during the summer. R ::001::

Rem, good points! One way to minimize bulk is with a good Gerbing heated garment. I was once told when traveling in the mountains to dress for the valleys and use the vest for high and cooler elevations. Just like outdoor activity, layering is best under a good GoreTex outer shell.

 

[phplemel]

Rem, good points! One way to minimize bulk is with a good Gerbing heated garment. I was once told when traveling in the mountains to dress for the valleys and use the vest for high and cooler elevations. Just like outdoor activity, layering is best under a good GoreTex outer shell.

::026:n this. I use a heated vest and heated gloves (not grip warmers) these along with a merino wool neck gaiter and a good layered riding suit are invaluable. Can ride in +100 and 0 temps with no discomfort. When camping I have a thin merino wool 1 piece underwear that I use if its cool out. Like adding an extra 20 deg of comfort to a sleeping bag ::008::

 

[rem]

Point in question .... It's dead on freezing here this morning (32F/0C). July 12. Suuuuuuumbich. Send money.




NOOOOOOOOBOOOOOOODY KNOOOOOOOOWS R ::010::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Swedish: Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder
Norwegian: Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær
Meaning: "There's no bad weather just bad clothing."

What he said about being ready to layer for cold. We had a full day of snow in Yellowstone last month (June), which was still in the Continental US. Glacier National Park was largely still closed, as were parts of Mt. Rainier. The following was just a few weeks ago in the Northwet, while home in Maryland was sweltering in heat:

Just about any cheap gear will fall apart with the heavy wear of daily use on a bike in the rain.

Be prepared for 40 degree rain every day for the entire trip and be happy when it doesn't happen.

More than 3 shirts/pants/etc is too much.

Stop early enough to set up while it's light for a number of reasons.

There's no such thing as "an extra tarp" or rain fly.

Have a way to charge all the devices we normally carry these days.

Get up early enough that you don't cumulatively snooze away days of vacation time.

Look at your tread, tire pressure, brake pads, and chain (if the bike has one) every morning before starting out.

I always have extra food and water, in case a last grocery opportunity just isn't where I'd hoped for.

 

[HoebSTer]

On carrying food!!! Make sure your 4# pound bag of trail mix is closed properly, otherwise it is all spread throughout your saddlebag slowly crushing tiny bits that wedge in between everything inside. This recently happened during last weeks ride. ::025::

 

[MikeBear]

Good one ::017::

 

[coastie]

I did not go to Whitehorse, but did take a 3 week trip where I rode in 90 Degree heat down to mid 40's and pouring rain. As others have said GEAR that can keep you warm and dry. But a few other suggestions are cash(enough to get me food and lodging for around 3 days), spare keys, and the code to create a new key(forgot what its called). These things I keep on my persons at all times.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I did not go to Whitehorse, but did take a 3 week trip where I rode in 90 Degree heat down to mid 40's and pouring rain. As others have said GEAR that can keep you warm and dry. But a few other suggestions are cash(enough to get me food and lodging for around 3 days), spare keys, and the code to create a new key(forgot what its called). These things I keep on my persons at all times.

Good points. I have a spare key taped somewhere on the bike and carry enough cash for gas to get somewhere safe. I also carry my eyeglass prescription and have it online in a cloud account, along with a copy of my driver license and vehicle papers. I've used the eyeglass prescription overseas.

Don't forget to call your credit card company before the trip or they will likely shut your card down when used in multiple states in a day.

 

[tomatocity]

Point in question .... It's dead on freezing here this morning (32F/0C). July 12. Suuuuuuumbich. Send money.




NOOOOOOOOBOOOOOOODY KNOOOOOOOOWS R ::010::

100*+ hear. Send money since I need to buy a air conditioner.

 

[HoebSTer]

100*+ hear. Send money since I need to buy a air conditioner.

Geez!!! This sounds like Goldie-Lox complaining, it's too hot, or it's too cold!!! Well, it's just right temp here in Seattle, 58 in the morning, then 78-80 in the afternoon. I am just right!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!

Carry-ON!!!!

 

[RockyDS]

Temps I recorded on the trip went from 6c to 36c (43F - 100F). Travelling two-up makes having enough gear a bit of a challenge but we had plenty of layers although not heated vests or gloves. Although our normal riding gear is waterproof, we also carried waterproof over pants and jackets. The extra layer serves as additional windproofing and does make a big difference.

Things I took but didn't use were, a tow strap, engine oil, puncture repair kit & duct tape. Good to have though. I also had basic tools, WD40, toilet roll, cloths, tire pump, octane booster, electrical tape - all were used.

We always had a few protein bars/snacks on the bike.

We took 3 sets of clothing. One on, two spares. I took a fleece jacket and a denim jacket but one or the other would have worked. Always pack your gear so it's easy to get access to the things you may need on the road.

Two issues on the trip were leaking fork seals and passenger visor mount failure - sheared plastic screws.

I'll be getting fork protectors before I do another similar trip.

Just out of interest we weighed in our riding gear and weighed the panniers, dry bag, tank bag, etc. Total 450lbs.

I carefully planned the gas stops which were therefore not an issue as I never went much under 1/2 tank.

We left both chargers for our i/c at a motel in Ft. Nelson ::010:: I would have bought a cheap charger in Whitehorse but didn't know the output voltage. We picked ours up on the way back though.

That's about all I can think of.

::001::

 

[jajpko]

Temps I recorded on the trip went from 6c to 36c (43F - 100F). Travelling two-up makes having enough gear a bit of a challenge but we had plenty of layers although not heated vests or gloves. Although our normal riding gear is waterproof, we also carried waterproof over pants and jackets. The extra layer serves as additional windproofing and does make a big difference.

Things I took but didn't use were, a tow strap, engine oil, puncture repair kit & duct tape. Good to have though. I also had basic tools, WD40, toilet roll, cloths, tire pump, octane booster, electrical tape - all were used.

We always had a few protein bars/snacks on the bike.

We took 3 sets of clothing. One on, two spares. I took a fleece jacket and a denim jacket but one or the other would have worked. Always pack your gear so it's easy to get access to the things you may need on the road.

Two issues on the trip were leaking fork seals and passenger visor mount failure - sheared plastic screws.

I'll be getting fork protectors before I do another similar trip.

Just out of interest we weighed in our riding gear and weighed the panniers, dry bag, tank bag, etc. Total 450lbs.

I carefully planned the gas stops which were therefore not an issue as I never went much under 1/2 tank.

We left both chargers for our i/c at a motel in Ft. Nelson ::010:: I would have bought a cheap charger in Whitehorse but didn't know the output voltage. We picked ours up on the way back though.

That's about all I can think of.

::001::

Thanks for the report. Did you try using a fork saver or something like that to clean dirt from the seals? Also, did your forks pit?
Thanks

 

[colorider]

This is a good post, Freebird. As an objective and casual observer, the only thing I really noticed from my perspective was that some of the guys had marginal cold weather gear. Both riding gear and/or camping gear. It can get very nippy ... and wet. Be prepared for possible freezing temperatures even during the summer. R ::001::

I was guilty of not bringing all the right gear - and I should know better living in Colorado. I "should have" brought one more jacket and a warmer pair of gloves.

 

[RockyDS]

Thanks for the report. Did you try using a fork saver or something like that to clean dirt from the seals? Also, did your forks pit?
Thanks

I did try cleaning the seals but decided to get them replaced at Yukon Yamaha before the return trip. The new seals may have been an unnecessary precaution but I didn't want to take the risk. The forks are fine. I think the damage to the seals was done on the Takhini Hot Springs road as I went through there just after a rain squall and the road was rough, slick & muddy. I omitted to clean the forks while my bike was parked at the hot springs and the Yukon Wildlife preserve. On the return trip I was "forced" over some pot holes by choosing a line over a bad section of road due to oncoming traffic. I was standing and Jenny on the back was airborne more than once. I assume the forks exercised most of their travel and if there was dirt dried on the forks from earlier then the damage was done. This is the first bike I've had with upside down forks / without boots.

The mechanic at Yukon Yamaha told me that the seal design on the S10 is of a road bike type unlike the many Yamaha dirt bikes.

Lesson learned.

But it's adventure riding after all!

 

[jajpko]

I did try cleaning the seals but decided to get them replaced at Yukon Yamaha before the return trip. The new seals may have been an unnecessary precaution but I didn't want to take the risk. The forks are fine. I think the damage to the seals was done on the Takhini Hot Springs road as I went through there just after a rain squall and the road was rough, slick & muddy. I omitted to clean the forks while my bike was parked at the hot springs and the Yukon Wildlife preserve. On the return trip I was "forced" over some pot holes by choosing a line over a bad section of road due to oncoming traffic. I was standing and Jenny on the back was airborne more than once. I assume the forks exercised most of their travel and if there was dirt dried on the forks from earlier then the damage was done. This is the first bike I've had with upside down forks / without boots.

The mechanic at Yukon Yamaha told me that the seal design on the S10 is of a road bike type unlike the many Yamaha dirt bikes.

Lesson learned.

But it's adventure riding after all!

Thanks, even with the seal problems, it sounds like you guys had a blast.

 

[pmeysemb]

One small thing to keep in mind, that I failed to do: with the bike loaded fully, the kickstand "gets" a bit too tall and parking gets a bit trickier. Luckily, on both my (right handed) tipovers, the bike pretty much landed on the spare tire I had strapped to the sidecase. Oh, another small point: a spare rear tire nicely "just fits" over the OEM side cases - never moved a bit the whole trip. ::012::
Oh, I just thought of another thing: I carried gas on one side and water on the other side (pass. peg mounted). When I go on a similar trip, I will use both sides for gas and carry water some other way - much harder to find gas than water, IMO.

 

[tomatocity]

One small thing to keep in mind, that I failed to do: with the bike loaded fully, the kickstand "gets" a bit too tall and parking gets a bit trickier. Luckily, on both my (right handed) tipovers, the bike pretty much landed on the spare tire I had strapped to the sidecase. Oh, another small point: a spare rear tire nicely "just fits" over the OEM side cases - never moved a bit the whole trip. ::012::
Oh, I just thought of another thing: I carried gas on one side and water on the other side (pass. peg mounted). When I go on a similar trip, I will use both sides for gas and carry water some other way - much harder to find gas than water, IMO.

Did you increase the preload adjustment on the rear shock. That should help raise the rear suspension and carry the additional weight of the load.