Would you ride to Alaska on your FJR??

[rockmurf]

If you did please put up advice and or problems.? Thanks

[MrTwisty]

Absolutely! If only I had enough vacation time. Maybe when I retire.

You can find all kinds of reports and advice at ADVrider. I have heard and read of several people on FJR's doing it.

[Fubar]

Nope... too straight

[extrememarine]

I'm in the initial planning stages of that trip now. It is going to be my retirement present to myself when I retire from the Marine Corps in 2 years. FJR is going to Prudhoe Bay and back (thanks to all the goat trail practice provided by Haulin'Ashe tours at EOM!!)

Biggest challenge / issue is going to be the Haul Road from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. Over 400 miles one way of dirt / gravel (slime if there's rain) road. It's going to beat the snot of the FJR. If I were to hold out until I could afford a R1200GS-A then I'd be too old to make the ride, and worry myself to death about the final drive...

There are lots of trip reports out there; from advrider to blogs.

-wr

[Scoops]

Jay wants to ride to alaska. his teaching job gives him the month of july off. maybe you guys can get together on it.

[JamesK]

If you did please put up advice and or problems.? Thanks

Hell yeah, in a hart-beat, usual problem though - time & money.

[Cougar8000]

Same as others. EvilMedic here rode to Alaska last year. He can tell some stories Oh wait, never mind he rode a BMW

[barb]

Bluestreak and MCML made it all the way to the Bering Sea and back last year after CFR. Maybe ask them......

There is a thread of pics and story here I believe from MCML

[Sagebrush]

I would if I didn't have or couldn't get a dual sport. I went out west this year and saw lots of roads that would have been fun on a dual sport.

I guess it depends on how good you are on loose surfaces and rough roads. I would take an old Tiger, GS, KTM ADV etc.. Since I already have an expedition ready DR650 I would probably just take that and run shorter days. I have not got myself up to 1000 mile days on my naked DR650. I can do a good 500 miles per day loaded up with camping gear for a long trip though.

Getting across the plains would suck on the little sucker if you were in a hurry. On the FJR I blasted through the flat lands pretty quick in comfort... I missed my old KTM ADV out west, it was a very good platform for touring the wilds and pot holes, rough gravel just flew buy. TKC 80 tires work well. Just don't last that long.....

[Jagermeister]

Alaska is quickly becoming a dream of mine.

The FJR would be fine - even on the 400 miles of pot-holed AK gravel. It's been done many times.

The part that would really suck for me is the Mid-West US; I'd probably rather get to BC or S. AK, then rent a bike, just to cut out 3k+ of boring.

[Brazos Parker]

I set out on a solo trip 2 years ago from East Tennessee to Fairbanks, AK. I got stopped in Idaho by a late season snow storm so I turned south and went thru Salt Lake, Grand Junction, Durango and Santa Fe before heading back home. If I had a riding partner at that time, I may have made a different decision. It was a great trip but I didn't make it to AK.

It can be done on an FJR or just abt any other bike, for that matter.

My only advice is to make sure you are physically and mentally prepared for such a trip...even after you get into Canada, AK is still a long way.

And, riding across mid-America is an excercise in logging miles!

[Krzy8]

I'm in the initial planning stages of that trip now. It is going to be my retirement present to myself when I retire from the Marine Corps in 2 years. FJR is going to Prudhoe Bay and back (thanks to all the goat trail practice provided by Haulin'Ashe tours at EOM!!)

Biggest challenge / issue is going to be the Haul Road from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. Over 400 miles one way of dirt / gravel (slime if there's rain) road. It's going to beat the snot of the FJR. If I were to hold out until I could afford a R1200GS-A then I'd be too old to make the ride, and worry myself to death about the final drive...

There are lots of trip reports out there; from advrider to blogs.

-wr

Why not be a highly farlked used (cheap) DL650? That's the plan I'm implementing. I'm less than 6k in the bike, total.

[mdisher]

I would ride my FJR to Prudhoe Bay in a second if I could afford the time off...

Hopefully in 2010 since the BMW rally will be out west anyway, maybe.

I'd consider a large Strom if the price is right. You couldn't pay me to ride a KLR or single cylinder thumper from ohio out west to get to where you go north.

[extrememarine]

Why not be a highly farlked used (cheap) DL650? That's the plan I'm implementing. I'm less than 6k in the bike, total.

If I had $6k worth of disposable income above trip fund, sure. I don't, and won't put this trip on a credit card just to make it happen. It's a choice between the 2 bikes that are sitting in the garage now: '02 H-D FXSTB or '09 FJR. The FJR is the better suited of the two. I'll have more than enough shake down miles on the FJR by the time I launch to ensure all the bugs are worked out of both the bike, farkles, and gear.

Kinda like when I rode coast to coast in '07. I wanted to ride up Pikes Peak. Park Ranger says, "you're not going to ride up there on that shiney bike, are you?", I says,"riding it sure will be easier than pushing it." Not the perfect bike for that event, but we got 'er done...

[Scoops]

so violione has been talking about riding my Vstrom 650 to alaska (when he isn't wondering if he'd rather fly to somewhere in canada and rent a bike).

*hijack warning*

given a choice, FJR or VStrom650?

[rushes]

so violione has been talking about riding my Vstrom 650 to alaska (when he isn't wondering if he'd rather fly to somewhere in canada and rent a bike).

*hijack warning*

given a choice, FJR or VStrom650?

Less stuff to tear up on the strom I'm thinkin'.

Here's an even further hijack..
My dream way back in 1976 was to ride to Alaska. My bike at the time was a 73 XL250.

My neighbor gave me a 73 XL250 the other day.
That'd make an interesting ride report huh?

[Scoops]

Do it!

[artistic rider]

This is a trip I have been wanting to do for the longest. I wil probably end up taking the Ural instead of the FJR. But one day I'll make it happen.

[bungie4]

My dream way back in 1976 was to ride to Alaska. My bike at the time was a 73 XL250.

My neighbor gave me a 73 XL250 the other day.
That'd make an interesting ride report huh?

DOEET!

Way back in the day Cycle World (and I believe it was Peter Egan) did a story on buying a clapped out Yamaha Big Bear and riding it from California, North, to whenever it clapped out. After replacing the clutch plates on the side of the road with cutout from an old leather jacket and all manner of cobbled repairs the bike finally gave up the ghost somewhere in BC and was 'buried' down a ravine off the side of the road.

One of my all time favourite ride adventures!

[Patriot]

sure...I sent an email to John Ryan asking to join him next time he goes from Key West back to Prudoe Bay...I'm awaiting his reply...

[rushes]

DOEET!

Way back in the day Cycle World (and I believe it was Peter Egan) did a story on buying a clapped out Yamaha Big Bear and riding it from California, North, to whenever it clapped out. After replacing the clutch plates on the side of the road with cutout from an old leather jacket and all manner of cobbled repairs the bike finally gave up the ghost somewhere in BC and was 'buried' down a ravine off the side of the road.

One of my all time favourite ride adventures!

I remember and thought of that exact story.
I'm going to try and get the thing to run and try to determine what kinda shape it's in...
He actually gave me 2. The one with the stock tank is the one that has a title.
Sorry for the hijack continuation...

[Two Brothers]

Rode up to AK back in 2000 on my Electra Gilde. Just be prepared for the dirt. The Dalton is long and dusty. Make sure you have the right supplies for the trip to the Bay.

We went as far as the Circle and got talked into going back glad we did, I broke down headed back to Fairbanks. Tow trucks frown on the Dalton. Lots of cash to get one there.

It took us 12 days of riding from Atlanta to Anchorage.

Just some advice the bike you take will never be the same.

[ngarider]

Yes.

[rockmurf]

I am giving some serious thought to selling the fjr and getting something, weestrom/versys, for the trip. Stripping the fjr of suspension and selling the fjr on the cheap$7K?).

[ARFJR]

I'm going solo on my 06 AE toward the end of this coming May. I thought a month would be about right. Should be an interesting ride.

[CrackedWheat]

[rickj]

I would definitely plan on riding the FJR to Alaska. It's the ultimate ride! In fact, I'm actively making plans for MY trip, which will be about 4100 miles and 16 days. I plan to ship the bike back from Anchorage.

I rode my '90 FJ1200 up there in '96 and I understand the roads are much better today. I went as far north as the Arctic Circle on the Haul road, which was pretty rough in places. Fairbanks to the circle and back in one day was tough. The trip up wasn't bad, but I hit a hellacious storm on the way back. That road is really slick when it's wet, and the trucks heading to / from Prudhoe Bay aren't very friendly. I don't think I'd try to ride the FJR all the way to Prudhoe Bay, but many have done it.

For my 2010 trip I'm going to avoid the Haul road and stick to the better roads. I stuck mostly to the Alcan last time, but have some other plans for this trip involving some ferry rides and coastal areas like Hyder, Valdez, and Seward. Make sure to include Dawson City and the Top of the World Highway. You won't regret it. There's also an annual D2D (Dusk 2 Dawn) run to Dawson City on June 24, 25 so there will be plenty of bikes there. Check out ADVrider for details.

If I had to give one piece of advice it would be to expect rain EVERY DAY. Make sure your gear is up to the task.

Have a great trip.

Rick

[Geezer]

I will ride my FJR to Alaska, and all the way to Prudhoe Bay. I have been trying to set aside enough vacation time to do this for the past couple of years. It may have to wait until I retire, but it will get done.

[MASTERBLASTER]

Will be going from PA to Alaska in 2011. I will avoid the haul road. I see no reason to screw up the beautiful fjr skin just to say I went to the end of the road. Many other things and places to see in AK. Hell, I even have my '06 surrounded my claymores in my own garage so I'm certainly not going to expose my love to those evil Alaska dirt roads, rocks and icky dust. Come to think of it I just might stay home and wax it again.

It's not that I avoid remote places. I live next door to World's End State Park in Forksville, Pa.

[evilmedic13]

Do it, 95% of the AlCan is paved, some gravel here and there but nothing the Feej couldn't handle. The route I took had plenty of fun twisties, especially around Banff/Jasper. The AlCan gets a little boring after that, but picks up when you re-enter the mountain regions. I took the Cassiar home from there and found even more spectacular roads, some reminded me of the Alps roads w/ the twisty/switchback areas. That road had a LOT more unpaved sections and far less traffic.
I didn't do anything on the GSA that I couldn't have done on the Feej, just not as fast on the Feej. There were quite a few "workout" moments involving the GSA on its side w/ all my gear on a very deserted dirt road, but it warmed me up really nicely.

The best part of the ride was the Cassiar, to me, it felt like I was in a huge nat'l park! My only regret was not taking an extra day or 2 out there. Next time, I'm shipping the bike to Alaska and riding it home just so I can spend some time back in BC, that province is awesome!

Maybe I'll bring Lil Medic w/ me on that trip, that would make it a trip of a lifetime indeed! PM me if you have any questions.

[fjr_ski]

I'm from Chicago burbs and also planning a trip to Alaska end of June. I own a 2007 FJR and basicly looking for suggestions to what roads to take there and back. I have 16.5 days to play with, so it's not much time, but that is all I can take. For now, I will try to do as much research to figure out which roads are best to take, I really want to stay off gravel/dirt. Some say to take a ferry..??? So, for now, back to my research.

[evilmedic13]

I'm from Chicago burbs and also planning a trip to Alaska end of June. I own a 2007 FJR and basicly looking for suggestions to what roads to take there and back. I have 16.5 days to play with, so it's not much time, but that is all I can take. For now, I will try to do as much research to figure out which roads are best to take, I really want to stay off gravel/dirt. Some say to take a ferry..??? So, for now, back to my research.

Welcome aboard ski! We have a meet coming up this month, if you can make it, Ill bring a really big map that I have and show you the route I took. The loop home had quite a bit of gravel, including a mudslide that buried 2 excavators( they are fuckinh huge). You may not want that route, but it's doable, just at a different pace. I still wish I could go again, this time with the Feej.

[Bounce]

If you did please put up advice and or problems.? Thanks

sure. would i do Haul Rd on it? no way! i spent too much money on it to pack all that concrete into it and ruin it like that. i think i'd more likely prefer to rash up a rental's paint job with all the gravel though.