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Serk
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« on: June 08, 2010, 02:24:10 PM » |
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I've been dreaming of my motorcycle trip to Alaska more and more lately, and starting to put some plans together to try to pull it off in the next 2 years... However, the trip, for me, just wouldn't be complete without going to Dead Horse/Prudhoe Bay... I'm just wondering if anyone's ever attempted the Dalton Highway on a Valkyrie? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalton_HighwayI know fuel would be an issue, with there being 250 or so miles between fuel stops, but that can be dealt with by strapping jerry cans to the bike... How 'bout the road itself? Could a Valkyrie hold up to that much bouncing around on hundreds of miles of dirt and gravel? I know it's crazy, and that's the domain of dual sports, but it's long been a dream of mine, just wanting to see if anyone had ever tried going there on a Valk yet... |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5492
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2010, 02:38:41 PM » |
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I've been dreaming of my motorcycle trip to Alaska more and more lately, and starting to put some plans together to try to pull it off in the next 2 years... However, the trip, for me, just wouldn't be complete without going to Dead Horse/Prudhoe Bay... I'm just wondering if anyone's ever attempted the Dalton Highway on a Valkyrie? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalton_HighwayI know fuel would be an issue, with there being 250 or so miles between fuel stops, but that can be dealt with by strapping jerry cans to the bike... How 'bout the road itself? Could a Valkyrie hold up to that much bouncing around on hundreds of miles of dirt and gravel? I know it's crazy, and that's the domain of dual sports, but it's long been a dream of mine, just wanting to see if anyone had ever tried going there on a Valk yet... I was going to ...but it was on fire when I was up there and though the road was open at the time, they figured it wouldn't be a couple days later. So I went for the Dempster Highway from Dawson City to Inuvik... I didn't quite make the halfway mark...the road kicked my ass...well...not really...the weather turned on me after I had already been delayed on the road by a problem. I was already injured and exhausted from other fun stuff on the trip...Instinct said, "live to fight another day" so I turned around. *That* story's in the book. I expect the two roads are similiar...and if you have dry weather, the valk should handle it. I ran a lot of "non-paved" roads up there...as long as it's dry they are no big deal. |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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Serk
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« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2010, 02:56:04 PM » |
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Daniel - Yeah, I'd read that book (As well as most of your others) but it was quite a while ago... All I could remember off the top of my head was that ya' didn't go there...
Good to know the Valk could theoretically make it at least... I've been wanting to do this for for ever, and I don't wanna be like my dad (Kept putting his dream trips off until he got to the point that he physically can't do them now.)
Two summers from now I'll be 40... I figure this would be a good mid-life crisis/40th birthday present to myself trip for that year, so starting to put some research together now... Not sure what it is about the Dalton, but it's been calling to me ever since I first heard about it many many years ago...
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5492
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2010, 03:11:01 PM » |
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I've been wanting to do this for for ever, and I don't wanna be like my dad (Kept putting his dream trips off until he got to the point that he physically can't do them now.)
Two summers from now I'll be 40... I figure this would be a good mid-life crisis/40th birthday present to myself trip for that year, so starting to put some research together now... Not sure what it is about the Dalton, but it's been calling to me ever since I first heard about it many many years ago...
Set a hard date or you'll never get gone...my experience anyway. I highly recommend the ride. I'd like to do the Dalton as well...and I have to go back and tackle the Dempster again...we have unfinished business...that road and I... |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer |
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Serk
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« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2010, 03:23:06 PM » |
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I SO understand that "unfinished business" thing! And I also understand the "Set a hard date" thing... Oh, and on doing some Googling, if a Goldwing can do it, then dangit, a Valk can do it! http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=373644(warning, read that thread, and you just might find yourself planning your own trip there too!) |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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F6TRVLR
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« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2010, 09:00:36 AM » |
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I've been up The Dalton Highway in July of 05 with 2 other Valks. Another friend did it solo last year. We are headed there again next month. We will also do The Dempster Highway. One of the riders has done it twice before. I didn't think it was a big deal except for the rain. When the Dalton is wet it is like driving on ice, the clay is really slick. Just go slow and take your time. I also did 19,000 miles in south and central America in early 07. There were some roads down south that made Alaska seem like a trot to the grocery store. I've been from Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia Aregentina. Loved every mile of it. Feel free to contact me if you like and the best to you on your adventure. Just pick a date and go for it.
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6958
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2010, 09:40:29 AM » |
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I've thought about a trip to Alaska but have thought about something besides the valk to ride there. A friend of mine is touring Alaska now on his BMW (it's a GS I think). One of the guys with him is keeping a blog, http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/mhartsell/1/tpod.htmlyou might find it interesting to follow if you're seriously thinking about an Alaska trip. |
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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Kaiser
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« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2010, 10:20:37 AM » |
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Serk - More power to ya, brother. I hope you do it and enjoy every inch of the trip. Above all, be safe. The only input I have to offer is this (and I don't know how it would apply to your situation, but hopefully will save you some heartache in an unforeseen situation) - rental cars are fairly hard to come by in Alaska, and when you do find one - they almost always have a clause that says you cannot take the car on the Dalton Highway. Also - make sure you have good rain gear and heavy-duty bug spray (apparently the 'skeeters up there can pick up you and the Valk at the same time and carry you away). I'm heading up there in two weeks - sans Valk  Fairbanks -> Denali -> Anchorage -> Seward. Best wishes, safe travels, and take a LOT of pictures! |
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Serk
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« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2010, 06:00:54 PM » |
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July 2011... It won't be an official "Chase Truck" but, my non-riding dad wants to go too before he's too old to do it, so the plan is he'll be going in a car, I'll be on the Valk, and we'll either stay together, or at least every morning set up where we'll meet that night... My spousal unit and my mom are maybe's (BIG maybe's), and my daughter is a maybe too... So... Have a date set, started saving money. Figured I'm gonna need a CB for this expedition. Yeowch, looks like it's gonna set me back about $700 for a full CB rig! (Radio, antenna, wiring, headset for a skid lid, etc) but it'll be a good thing to have... One other thing, and this is so cool, but actually frightens me on a fundamental level for some reason... Google Street View... Ya' know, where ya' can get street level views from a car that Google drove up and down streets with a 360 degree camera on top? They've done the Dalton. http://tinyurl.com/26qg5mvAnd what's even scarier... They've done the Dempster! http://tinyurl.com/2fxtyjaYou can now do a 360 view "drive" of both roads from your computer... Wow... |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Valker
Member
Posts: 2995
Wahoo!!!!
Texas Panhandle
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« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2010, 07:29:39 PM » |
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I ride a motorcycle because nothing transports me as quickly from where I am to who I am.
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5492
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2010, 01:04:25 PM » |
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Figured I'm gonna need a CB for this expedition. Yeowch, looks like it's gonna set me back about $700 for a full CB rig! (Radio, antenna, wiring, headset for a skid lid, etc) but it'll be a good thing to have...
I used mine only a couple times on my trip. Unless you are planning on keeping in touch with the van or riders I wouldn't waste that kind of coin. One other thing, and this is so cool, but actually frightens me on a fundamental level for some reason... Google Street View... Ya' know, where ya' can get street level views from a car that Google drove up and down streets with a 360 degree camera on top? They've done the Dalton. http://tinyurl.com/26qg5mvAnd what's even scarier... They've done the Dempster! http://tinyurl.com/2fxtyjaYou can now do a 360 view "drive" of both roads from your computer... Wow... Ooooo.....Zoom zoom! (the Dempster and me have unfinished business...) |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer |
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5492
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2010, 08:26:25 AM » |
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Hey, your Serkness... Order these maps... http://www.karo-ent.com/The roadmaps fold like a standard paper map, go in your tank bag pockets, and have all the gas stops/etc noted in the maps. Handiest thing I had on the trip...and the envy of many I encountered. |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer |
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Serk
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« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2010, 08:35:31 AM » |
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Thanks Daniel, definitely will! Think I'll wait a bit since from reading their site looks like they're working on an updated version right now...
I'm usually of the "Motel 6 Is as close to camping as I'll get", but I'm actually looking into camping at least some on this trip, 100% motels only will just run the price of this trip up WAY too high...
Thanks, and feel free to hop back in if ya' think of anything else...
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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