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VanCityValkyrie
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« on: October 15, 2020, 11:39:49 PM » |
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Has anybody ever ridden the Dempster on a Valkyrie? A friend of mine just bought a Suzuki V-Strom and we started talking about riding the Dampster Highway up to the Arctic Circle. Years ago I was looking at a website from a fellow rider in Japan who was travelling the world on his Valkyrie and he was travelling roads that were way worse. Unfortunately I can’t find his website anymore... What spare parts would you bring? What changes would you make to the bike before the ride? Time for an adventure in 2021... https://www.motorcyclemojo.com/2017/03/the-dempster-highway/ |
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I ride way too far, fast, often... to ride anything else but a VALKYRIE!!!
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msb
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« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2020, 06:50:53 AM » |
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Personally, I wouldn't ride my Valk long distance on more remote dirt/gravel roads. Too difficult to replace tires, too short of a range on fuel, and most importantly to me, my bike wouldn't look the same when I returned home.  I'd love to do that run, and have thought about it the past several years, buying an African Twin, Triumph Tiger, etc for that type of riding. Probably heading up there in the next couple years with the truck & trailer though... then I can bring my fishing gear |
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Mike
'99 Red & Black IS
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VanCityValkyrie
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« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2020, 10:50:39 AM » |
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@MSB... I fully agree to every point you made. Especially that the bike wouldn't look the same after that trip. But the adventure side in me has fully taken over now I did a couple of IBA rides the year, 1600 and 2000km in 24hrs. That's the maximum I can do with the Valkyrie in 24hrs. Vancouver to Dawson City is just over 3000km. If I can do that in 36hrs, that would be another IBA certificate... Take 2 days off in Dawson City and then ride the Dempster to the Arctic Circle and back to Dawson City. If the borders are open again in 2021, head over to Alaska and keep going... Lots of time to think about it... |
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I ride way too far, fast, often... to ride anything else but a VALKYRIE!!!
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ciddriver
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« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2020, 01:34:07 PM » |
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Hi, do to the virus I had to postpone my trip. If the border is open next year I will be going up to Alaska next June. I ride a 1999 Honda valkyrie interstate and will pulling a m/c tent trailer. To get ready for the trip I put new brushes on the alt. and put a car tire on the rear. My plan is see Alaska for 3 weeks than B.C. and Yukon and Alberta till middle of Aug. Sorry for the long post.
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5492
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2020, 02:09:30 PM » |
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Rode the Dempster...didn't make it to Inuvik..."live to fight another day" and such. Weather and fatigue and other things piled up and it was wiser to turn back at that point for me. It's very doable though. Main issue is fuel. The only stop is halfway...at Eagle Plains...around 250 miles from Dawson City...and at Inuvik, about the same I recall...you'll need several extra gallons capacity to make it there. Also did "Top of the World" highway, etc. Trip of a lifetime. Valk will do fine...if the rider honors his limits.  |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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msb
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« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2020, 02:34:40 PM » |
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Hi, do to the virus I had to postpone my trip. If the border is open next year I will be going up to Alaska next June. I ride a 1999 Honda valkyrie interstate and will pulling a m/c tent trailer. To get ready for the trip I put new brushes on the alt. and put a car tire on the rear. My plan is see Alaska for 3 weeks than B.C. and Yukon and Alberta till middle of Aug. Sorry for the long post.
Sounds like an awesome ride! Car tire is actually not a bad idea for a trip like that... same as making sure the alt is in good shape. I keep spare parts like an alternator (ask GordonV how handy this was last year  ), u-joint, wheel bearings, and an assortment of items like header bolts, shock bushings, etc that I pack with me for longer rides. Especially up here, it can be tough finding parts if needed when on the road. I'm always more than happy to, and I know others here on this BC board like Gord are too, loan some of these parts out to others heading out on longer rides. |
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« Last Edit: October 17, 2020, 02:43:32 PM by msb »
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Mike
'99 Red & Black IS
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gordonv
Member
Posts: 5760
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2020, 11:17:42 AM » |
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Yup, if I have the parts, it's available to anyone who needs it, just replace it so its there for the next guy. I agree with the recommendation of a CT and the minor maintenance, before the trip. If you've a trailer, a mounted front tire for a spare.
I know a group of the GW riders I meet up with rode from Alaska (cruise ship up, off load/shipped the bikes there fore the ride back), back, some both ways.
If you think my trailer tires will make it, you are welcome to borrow my trailer for the ride, they look new (14 cu ft capacity/same as the Yaris trunk). 2 trailers, one for tires/parts/tools and fuel, the other for personal stuff.
I've heard the road shreds tires, and the CT will last longer, but consider new rubber when you go.
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1999 Black with custom paint IS   |
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VanCityValkyrie
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« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2020, 05:36:06 PM » |
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I found Lawrence's Dempster Highway Adventure Group on facebook and asked a couple of questions. I guess the most important thing for a trip like this will be the weather. And enough extra fuel. Lots of time to plan and do more research. As of right now I am thinking about an IBA ride from Vancouver to Dawson City. 3000km in 36 hours. Then take 2-3 days off in Dawson and then hit the Dempster. Lots of time until then... and everything has to work out perfectly.  |
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I ride way too far, fast, often... to ride anything else but a VALKYRIE!!!
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VanCityValkyrie
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« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2020, 05:45:38 PM » |
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Rode the Dempster...didn't make it to Inuvik..."live to fight another day" and such. Weather and fatigue and other things piled up and it was wiser to turn back at that point for me. It's very doable though. Main issue is fuel. The only stop is halfway...at Eagle Plains...around 250 miles from Dawson City...and at Inuvik, about the same I recall...you'll need several extra gallons capacity to make it there. Also did "Top of the World" highway, etc. Trip of a lifetime. Valk will do fine...if the rider honors his limits. Thanks for the input! Good to hear that it is doable. And sorry to hear that it didn't work out on your attempt. "Live to fight another day"... that, in my opinion, is the most important mindset for a rider on trips like this. What tires did you have on the bike? I am riding double dark, but for that ride I would take off the car tire. I know how the car tire always wants to follow the grooves on the road, I can only imagine it would be worse on gravel. I want to test that out for myself and ride the bike from Pemberton to D'Arcy, Seton Portage and Lillooet next year to see how it all feels. |
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I ride way too far, fast, often... to ride anything else but a VALKYRIE!!!
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Madmike
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« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2020, 06:09:58 PM » |
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I found Lawrence's Dempster Highway Adventure Group on facebook and asked a couple of questions. I guess the most important thing for a trip like this will be the weather. And enough extra fuel. Lots of time to plan and do more research. As of right now I am thinking about an IBA ride from Vancouver to Dawson City. 3000km in 36 hours. Then take 2-3 days off in Dawson and then hit the Dempster. Lots of time until then... and everything has to work out perfectly. I used to travel south on the Dempster to Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson for work. That stretch is pretty good but if it is rating lots then there are sections that pound out and rut up. Lawrence has all his bikes put away this year hoping that things will open up next year. He works for the power Corp so has a good job to tide him over. You could get fuel at the Junction east of Dawson where you turn up the Dempster, then Eagle Plains, McPherson and Tsiighetchic have fuel during the day. |
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« Last Edit: October 19, 2020, 06:14:50 PM by Madmike »
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5492
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2020, 03:16:57 PM » |
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Rode the Dempster...didn't make it to Inuvik..."live to fight another day" and such. Weather and fatigue and other things piled up and it was wiser to turn back at that point for me. It's very doable though. Main issue is fuel. The only stop is halfway...at Eagle Plains...around 250 miles from Dawson City...and at Inuvik, about the same I recall...you'll need several extra gallons capacity to make it there. Also did "Top of the World" highway, etc. Trip of a lifetime. Valk will do fine...if the rider honors his limits. Thanks for the input! Good to hear that it is doable. And sorry to hear that it didn't work out on your attempt. "Live to fight another day"... that, in my opinion, is the most important mindset for a rider on trips like this. What tires did you have on the bike? I am riding double dark, but for that ride I would take off the car tire. I know how the car tire always wants to follow the grooves on the road, I can only imagine it would be worse on gravel. I want to test that out for myself and ride the bike from Pemberton to D'Arcy, Seton Portage and Lillooet next year to see how it all feels. I had an Avon Venom on the front, and a yokohama car tire on the back. I didn't find the car tire to be an issue, and feel it helped on the occasions the road was torn up to mud (usually construction, otherwise in decent shape). That pic is on Top of the World highway in the gravel...ya may note I was not conservative as to the speed. You get used to it. Whatever you choose, start out with brand new ones...the roads eat 'em...especially the back. Also start with new brake pads on the rear anyway..the dust eats them fast. Dawson City is cool BTW...essentially a hopping college town during the summer nights...as lots of college students from the east come out and work the road, oil, mining, and timber jobs...apparently a tuition thing. |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer |
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VanCityValkyrie
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« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2020, 11:46:23 AM » |
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[/quote] I had an Avon Venom on the front, and a yokohama car tire on the back. I didn't find the car tire to be an issue, and feel it helped on the occasions the road was torn up to mud (usually construction, otherwise in decent shape). That pic is on Top of the World highway in the gravel...ya may note I was not conservative as to the speed. You get used to it. Whatever you choose, start out with brand new ones...the roads eat 'em...especially the back. Also start with new brake pads on the rear anyway..the dust eats them fast. Dawson City is cool BTW...essentially a hopping college town during the summer nights...as lots of college students from the east come out and work the road, oil, mining, and timber jobs...apparently a tuition thing. [/quote] Dawson City is a fun city indeed! I spent the summer of 2011 up there while working for a junior exploration company. We had some containers for accommodation a bit outside of Dawson City at the industrial park and spent a good amount of time in the city for dinner and drinks. Of course we had a Sourtoe Cocktail as well 2011 was one of the first years when the "2nd Gold Rush" started up there. A gentleman called Shawn Ryan started it all. He had around 200 people working for him during the summer months. Different camps in the middle of nowhere and they got flown out by helicopter every day, taking soil samples and images every 500m on a precise route they had to follow. He basically got himself a Google Street View of the Yukon. Makes it easier to find great spots to fly to and show to investors as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T9semq0AhM |
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I ride way too far, fast, often... to ride anything else but a VALKYRIE!!!
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Madmike
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« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2020, 09:11:24 PM » |
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Dawson City is a fun city indeed! I spent the summer of 2011 up there while working for a junior exploration company. We had some containers for accommodation a bit outside of Dawson City at the industrial park and spent a good amount of time in the city for dinner and drinks. Of course we had a Sourtoe Cocktail as well 2011 was one of the first years when the "2nd Gold Rush" started up there. A gentleman called Shawn Ryan started it all. He had around 200 people working for him during the summer months. Different camps in the middle of nowhere and they got flown out by helicopter every day, taking soil samples and images every 500m on a precise route they had to follow. He basically got himself a Google Street View of the Yukon. Makes it easier to find great spots to fly to and show to investors as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T9semq0AhMI went through Dawson City June of 2011 and there was a girl that had a Valkyrie parked there, I think the bike had a Yukon plate on it along with lots of mud. |
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