Hi 4grndkds, Congrats on doing the trip too! The BMW 1200 RT can definitely handle anything the Alaska Highway can throw at you. I dream of someday doing the trip again. It's life changing. Perhaps we'll cross paths out there 👍. Safe travels. Thanks for watching the video. Mike
Not a day goes by, that I don’t think about the trip. Beautiful country, down to earth people, and new friendships! I was told by a long time resident somewhere in the Yukon Wilderness, that I would leave a “changed man.” Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks for watching the video Paul! Glad you liked it!
@@alcaet Hi Carlos, Sorry it took a while to respond. I had to dig through my receipts to make sure I didn’t forget any stops. As to your inquiry about my itinerary. Keep in mind, that this can vary based on individual rider experience, physical endurance, weather, what is important for you to see, and time restraints. Most stops were just an overnighter. Places like Denali State Park requires a few days. The total miles driven from San Diego to Fairbanks and back was 8,689 miles in 6 weeks. To replicate my trip, you would need to ride a minimum of 206 miles per day, and spend only one night at each location to complete the journey in 6 weeks. If you spend two nights, you would need to ride 412 miles the following day. Three nights, 618 miles. Alternatively, if you rode 412 miles per day, you could spend two nights at each location. The following, is my route. Northbound (start of trip) and Southbound (return). I wanted to return to the USA through Washington State, but could not find a clear route, due to the numerous wildfires. I would highly recommend purchasing the latest edition of Milepost magazine (available from Amazon) to compliment what ever GPS system you will be using. The Milepost magazine will have all of the information you need, i.e., routes, lodging, restaurants, gas stations, campgrounds, grocery stores, etc. Keep in mind, there is no guarantee that all businesses listed will be open. Many businesses close down for one reason or another, with no notice. For that reason, I never let my gas tank go below half in remote areas. NORTHBOUND: Interstate 15 to Mesquite, Nevada (Casablanca Resort, north of Las Vegas) Interstate 15 to Salt Lake City, Utah (KOA Campground) Interstate 15 to Butte, Montana (KOA Campground) Interstate 15 to Coutts, Alberta, Canada (Border Checkpoint) Begin Highway 4 to Lethbridge (Premier Inn & Suites) Highway 3 to Fort Macleod Highway 2 to Calgary (Ramada Inn) Highway 1 to Banff and onto Lake Louise (Campground) Highway 93 to Jasper (Whistlers Campground) Highway 16 to Highway 40 to Grande Prairie Harley Davidson (needed new tires) Highway 43 to Beaverlodge (Campground) Highway 43 to Highway 2 to Dawson Creek Highway 97 to Pink Mountain Campsite Highway 97 to Fort Nelson, Triple Hideaway RV (Campground) Highway 97 to Laird Hot Springs (Campground) Highway 97 to Highway 1 to White Horse (Campground) Highway 1 to Tok RV Village (Campground) Highway 2 to Fairbanks, Alaska USA (Campground) SOUTHBOUND: Highway 3 to Denali State Park (need permit to camp, purchased at REI in Fairbanks) Highway 3 to Highway 1 to Anchorage (Harley Davidson Campground. All motorcycles welcome) Highway 1 to Highway 9 to Seward (City Campground) Highway 9 to Highway 1 (backtrack northbound) to Tok RV Village (Campground) Highway 2 (southbound again) to Highway 1 (Canada) Highway 1 to Haines Junction, Cozy Corner Motel Highway 1 to White Horse (Campground) Highway 1 to Boya Lake (Campground) Highway 1 to Highway 97 to Laird Hot Springs (Campground) Highway 97 to Highway 37 to Highway 37A to Stewart (Rainey Creek Campground) Highway 37A back to Highway 37 to Kitwanga Cassiar RV Park Highway 37 to Highway 16 to Prince George, Blue Cedar RV Park Highway 16 to Jasper (Whistlers Campground) Highway 16 to Highway 93 to Lake Louise Campground From Lake Louise Campground (heading south), I had to retrace my northbound route due to the numerous wildfires. If I remember correctly, there were 91 wildfires burning simultaneously! I hope this helps you plan your itinerary. Appreciate you watching my video and hope you have a great trip! Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions. Mike
Thanks for watching the video! Figuring out which pic to include was the hardest. It seemed like you couldn't go more than 5 minutes without wanting to pull over and take it all in (and take a picture). For me, a ten minute video cannot adequately describe the feeling I am left with after this ride. It's life changing. I really hope you get to experience this trip in your lifetime.
SailingVesselCalypso, planning on going next summery. This summer is BC Canada, and Colorado and surrounding. How did the bikes do re wear and tear? Much stone chips and dents etc.? Love the bike variety.
My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. What I did to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and im glad i did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. The Yamaha Tenere suffered a broken muffler and a loose windshield. The BMW 1200 GS suffered some electrical issues with an after market phone charging system purchased off of eBay. The BMW 1150 GS had an issue with it's kickstand leaning over too far (solved with a piece of wood and some bailing wire).
Sounds like normal wear and tear for Alaska roads. Two sets of tires sounds crazy though. Roads are crazy harsh then, with sharp rocks and debris I imagine. Good to hear you all did pretty well considering. I'm considering pushing my trip to alaska ahead to this summer, and thinking about a KTM Super Adventure S with road tires up to the Yukon, then switching to ADV 50/50 tires through the Top of the World Hwy up to Prudhoe Bay and back, then shipping the 50/50s back home from Yukon. It is about 1500 miles paved road to Yukon from my location, and 1500 miles from Yukon to Prudhoe so not a bad idea switch to 50/50s I feel with all the potted gravel roads and never mind when they get wet - mud soup. Also going to put a ton of 3M paint protection film on the plastic and painted areas where most of the stone chips/ dings are expected. Thx again for sharing.
I should also add that while it seems my Harley had more breakage, I did not notice some of these until I got home. I am on the East coast now and the rest of the crew is on the West coast. We really haven't had a chance to discuss equipment failures amongst us, so I can't give you a full list of their equipment failures...just mine. Bailing wire, para-cord, and duct tape saved the day more than once. If you are starting from anywhere in the lower 48, just plan/budget on a set of new tires halfway into your trip. I thought that I had plenty of tread left on my tires when I left San Diego. That turned out to be a bad decision on my part and it took some diligent research from my support team back home (wife) to find a new set of tires. I had no tread left on the rear tire by the time I arrived at the Harley Davidson dealership in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. I stopped at a total of three motorcycle shops on this trip. The feeling I was left with was, that if they know you are traveling to Alaska, they will do their best to get you in-and-out as quickly as possible to resume your journey. Prices for parts and labor in Canada were comparable to US prices.
I think we all fell in love with that border patrol agent... my Lord I'd love see all her tattoos! This was a great vid. Brought a tear to my eye, mostly because I spent my youth and most of my career up and down the Alaska Highway. Liard Hot Springs etc. I live in Arizona now, but your video really brought me home for a minute. Great job. If you do it again, hit me up.
Hi Matt B, My wife won't let me use that checkpoint anymore, haha! (Just kidding). What a great place to have spent your youth growing up and working! The local people I met and the unspoiled beauty of the land are truly remarkable. That must have been quite a change for you moving so far south. I hope you are as happy in Arizona as well. Thank you for your compliments and I'm glad that I was able to bring back some fond memories. Mike
@@SailingVesselCalypso yes, I never appreciated it as much growing up there as I do now. That said, 40 below every single winter I can do without. I've actually experienced minus -63°C working on an oil rig right up by the hot springs. Oofta!
Thanks Tim! It was certainly one of my most ambitious rides by a long shot! One resident in the Yukon Wilderness told me that some people are forever changed when they pass through. Count me as one of them...
Hi William, It was definitely in the "epic category" for me. I was fortunate enough to have the right timing, equipment, friends, and support to undertake the trip of a lifetime. I hope you get to experience the journey too. Until then, stay safe and healthy during these challenging times. Thanks for watching the video. Mike
I'm glad you enjoyed the video Alex. Sorry for the delayed response. If you're planning, you're already half-way there! Our crew talked about it for a year over coffee and beer (separately of course), then got serious the following year and went for it. I hope you have as an amazing journey as I had.
Hi Gerard, Thanks for watching the video and the 4 thumbs up! I'm glad to have shared the ride with you! Sorry for the late reply. Boat projects and home projects got me a little distracted. Mike
Hi David, Thanks for the Kudos and thank you for letting me share my adventure with you! I sincerely appreciate your's and everyone else's compliments on the video. I'm very grateful to be able to share the experience with so many people. Mike
Hi David! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video. I really appreciate the compliments. Sorry about the late reply, I've been traveling. Thank you for visiting and watching. Mike
Hi Michael, Thanks for the kudos! Riding the Harley was "challenging" at times, but I love the comfort of an Electra Glide for long distance riding (plus it's the only bike I've got, haha!). Thanks for droppin' by to watch the video. Mike
Thanks for watching my video Eric! Everyone I met, was a part of this trip that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. May our paths cross again on the next adventure.
Thanks for viewing! Yes, it certainly was a lot of miles in the saddle. You can make the trip as fast as you want (if you're limited on time) or at a leisurely pace (recommended) and experience not only the nature, but the local residents that live and work there. I found that the hunters had the most fascinating stories.
Hi Kenny55! Thanks for the compliments on the video! It is an experience that will change you "inside" for all your remaining days! I sincerely hope you get to experience this someday soon. Thank you for watching, Mike
Thanks Ben. I agree, what a trip...the trip of a lifetime and friendships forged on that highway that will certainly last a lifetime as well. May we meet on the highway again brother....
Hey Mike, I looked through all of the comments but didn’t see this answered, have you ever posted the google map link of your route? Sounds like a great trip!
Hi jtylershaw, I didn't use google maps for this trip. The map that I show at the end of the video was me retracing the trip after I got back (using google and my notes), just so people could visualize the route. I used my iPhone, Waze navigation app, and the paper map from Mile Post. Since the trip, I no longer use Waze. I am a google maps convert. There are isolated areas where your cell phone will have no reception, and paper maps are a must. My wife (back in San Diego) used google maps to keep track of where I was, as I updated her with my location frequently. She was my "support team" during the entire trip. She helped me find a Harley Davidson dealership to purchase new tires and negotiate my way thru 90+ wildfires on my return trip. Perhaps on the "next trip" I will use google maps combined with some other app to create a video showing the location simultaneously. Thanks for dropping by to watch the video! I appreciate it! Mike
How’d the Harley handle the Canadian and Alaskan roads ?? I notice all the other bikes were Dual Sports. If you had to do it over, would you rather have taken a dual sport instead of the Harley? I took my Road Glide to Mexico in 2016. 80% of the roads were fine for the Harley. But the other 20% darn near shock it to pieces. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Big Rig Rich Jumper, Haha! I certainly know what you mean by being "shook to pieces!" I'm going to copy/paste parts of my answer from previous posts to your question since I do get asked this quite frequently. My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. I did a pre-check before jumping in the saddle every time. What I did do, to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and I'm glad that I did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided me with some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. I also installed heated handle grips prior to departing for this trip. I feel it really made a difference in comfort. I would have to say that I had expected to sustain more damage to the bike on this trip and I am pleased with how little I got away with. This trip is definitely not for show bikes. I would do the trip again with my Harley Davidson. I've ridden many makes and models for approximately 50 years. I'm not much of an off-roader (and as you know, neither is the Harley), but I'm more of a long distance rider, in all weather conditions. I prefer the protection that the larger fairing and windshield provides. It makes a huge difference at the end of the day. I actually thought about renting an Adventure Bike to go to Prudhoe Bay, via the Dalton Highway. But, the company that offered the service wanted me to use my own insurance company and offered no coverage in the event of a "mishap". What were the chances of something happening on the infamous "Haul Road?" Haha! I didn't want to take a chance and end up blowing my good insurance rate! If I wasn't riding such a long distance, I wouldn't have minded riding a lighter bike through some of the construction zones. The Harley got a little "squirrely" on a couple of those slippery, muddy stretches.The Dual Sports in my group were lighter and definitely handled better in the gravel, dirt and mud. Nice chatting with you and thanks a million for watching the video. Ride safe, Mike
Beautiful trip !!!!!! Eyyy bro help me how much is the coast per night in the camograunds i live in mexico City and i want to go to Alaska so I would like to know how many bucks will I need !!!! Thanks sorry for my English 😎😎👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Hi Sinbrujula Americano, Buenos dias compadre! Your English is great, no apologies necesito. My Spanish on the other hand, needs a lot of help, haha! The cost per night is between $16.00 - $30.00 US, depending on which campground you stay at and how many days/weeks you plan on staying. I spent approximately $530.00 for campgrounds and $470 for 6 nights in hotels in the cities, for my 6 week roundtrip starting from San Diego, CA. Fuel cost approximately $780 (8,700 miles). Food, approximately $1,200 (6 weeks). If you want to stay at the National Parks in the US and Canada, consider purchasing a National Parks Pass (one for the US, another for Canada). You will have to compare the costs, to see if the passes will save you any money. I also recommend purchasing "The MILEPOST 2020: Alaska Travel Planner" book (I bought mine from Amazon). In my opinion, this book is an absolute must-have-item in order for you to plan your trip properly. Thanks for watching the video and I am available if you have any more questions. Mucho gusto, Mike
Hi Robert, Thanks for watching the video. We left Southern California on June 20. The last week of May or first week of June is an excellent time to leave. You will beat the summer crowds to the popular camp grounds. I don't know your itinerary, but you may want to consider a Canada Parks Discovery Pass and/or a National Parks Pass if you plan on camping frequently in any of the parks (you'll have to do the math to see if it's worth it). "The Milepost 2020" Alaska Travel Planner is a must (I would not do the trip without it). I know this adventure will create fond memories that will last a lifetime. Feel free to ask about anything else regarding the trip. Planning for it is half the fun! Mike
Nothing like some good old guys riding motorcycles! How'd your Harley hold up pretty good? I got a 2011 ultra limited and runs great excellent Touring bike
Hi yamachopper, In my opinion, any bike is up for the task. Just not every rider. I'm going to copy/paste parts of my answer from previous posts to your question since I do get asked this quite frequently. My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. I did a pre-check before jumping in the saddle every time. What I did do, to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and I'm glad that I did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided me with some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. I also installed heated handle grips prior to departing for this trip. I feel it really made a difference in comfort. I would have to say that I had expected to sustain more damage to the bike on this trip and I am pleased with how little I got away with. This trip is definitely not for show bikes. Part of my inventory included some baling wire, duct tape, motorcycle straps (in case you have to throw your bike in the back of a pickup bed) and some basic tools. I used some of it for myself and other times I was also able to patch together other bikes that were in need. I would do the trip again with my Harley Davidson. I've ridden many makes and models for approximately 50 years. I'm not much of an off-roader (and as you know, neither is the Harley), but I'm more of a long distance rider, in all weather conditions. I prefer the protection that the larger fairing and windshield provides. It makes a huge difference at the end of the day. I actually thought about renting an Adventure Bike to go to Prudhoe Bay, via the Dalton Highway. But, the company that offered the service wanted me to use my own insurance company and offered no coverage in the event of a "mishap". What were the chances of something happening on the infamous "Haul Road?" Haha! I didn't want to take a chance and end up blowing my good insurance rate! If I wasn't riding such a long distance, I wouldn't have minded riding a lighter bike through some of the construction zones. The Harley got a little "squirrely" on a couple of those slippery, muddy stretches.The Dual Sports in my group were lighter and definitely handled better in the gravel, dirt and mud. Thanks for watching the video. Ride safe, Mike
@@SailingVesselCalypso interesting story thanks for sharing! I'm 45 years old now and I'm just getting into long-distance riding did a couple of 3000 mile trip to ready I have 5 weeks of vacation time and no wife lol, I'm planning on August to go to Yellowstone ,Washington down the Pacific coastline Grand Canyon Skywalk then back up Colorado and heading for home
@@yamahchopper that sounds like a great ride! With 5 weeks to do 3,000 miles, you will have a leisurely ride. Stop at the mom and pop diners, strike up conversations with the locals, meet other riders.....that's my idea of long distance riding. I'm left with much more pleasant memories than the blur of a high speed run from point A to B. But I do understand the "need for speed" for some riders. Family obligations, jobs, other deadlines...Fast or slow, we all share the love of the wind in our face and the open road. Mike
Hi Robert, I did not ride either the Denali or Top Of The World Hwys. "The Milepost" Alaska Travel Planner, contains a wealth of information regarding the different highways (you can purchase it from Amazon). I'm going to copy/paste parts of my answer from a previous post to your question since I do get asked this quite frequently. My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. I did a pre-check before jumping in the saddle every time. What I did do, to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and I'm glad that I did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided me with some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. I also installed heated handle grips prior to departing for this trip. I feel it really made a difference in comfort. I would have to say that I had expected to sustain more damage to the bike on this trip and I am pleased with how little I got away with. This trip is definitely not for show bikes. Part of my inventory included some baling wire, duct tape, motorcycle straps (in case you have to throw your bike in the back of a pickup bed) and some basic tools. I used some of it for myself and other times I was also able to patch together other bikes that were in need. I would do the trip again with my Harley Davidson. I've ridden many makes and models for approximately 50 years. I'm not much of an off-roader (and as you know, neither is the Harley), but I'm more of a long distance rider, in all weather conditions. I prefer the protection that the larger fairing and windshield provides. It makes a huge difference at the end of the day. I actually thought about renting an Adventure Bike to go to Prudhoe Bay, via the Dalton Highway. But, the company that offered the service wanted me to use my own insurance company and offered no coverage in the event of a "mishap". What were the chances of something happening on the infamous "Haul Road?" Haha! I didn't want to take a chance and end up blowing my good insurance rate! If I wasn't riding such a long distance, I wouldn't have minded riding a lighter bike through some of the construction zones. The Harley got a little "squirrely" on a couple of those slippery, muddy stretches.The Dual Sports in my group were lighter and definitely handled better in the gravel, dirt and mud. Ride safe, Mike
Nice meeting you both in Fredericksburg Virginia. Thanks for sharing the video. I have the chills and invigorated to make that ride. DeAndra Gayle on Facebook, from Tememcula, Softail Heritage
Glad you liked the video Deandra. Susan and I enjoyed meeting you too. We wished we could have chatted a while longer, but we were worried about getting caught in the rain on our ride back to Maryland. I hope you get to do the Alaska trip sooner than later. Be sure to make a video. I think that you have the personality to inspire other women to ride, near and far. We realized a long time ago, that the more we travel, the smaller the world becomes. We are continuously amazed by how much we have in common with the people that we meet from different parts of the world. When you have the time, check out our sailing adventures at ua-cam.com/video/MokuBm43PrU/v-deo.html I made the sailing video for Susan while we underwent 13 months of major repairs in Savannah, GA, after a lightning strike in Brunswick, GA. She was feeling a little depressed and asked, "what are we doing here...is it worth all this?" The video was to remind her what it was all about...she cried when she saw the video for the first time. Hope to see you on the road again soon. Until then, keep the rubber side down and the shiny stuff up!
Hi Bob, Glad you enjoyed the video. The tent is a Praying Mantus, made by Quest. I'm the original owner and absolutely love mine. It's a two person, four season, double wall tent with a huge vestibule. I believe that these tents were made in the mid 80's - early 90's (?). I have used it for backpacking and motorcycle trips. Unfortunately, the company is no longer in business, but they do pop up on eBay once in a while. The tent, fly and poles fit nicely in a 25 liter, waterproof bag. I secured the bag to the trunk-lid of my Harley Ultra with a pair of Rok Straps. Just a hint, every bag gets it's own pair of straps. The roads you encounter will loosen your load and when you arrive at your campground, you may be a bag or two lite if you only used one pair of straps to secure your entire load. Mike
Hi Gung Ho Adventures, Thanks for watching the video! Glad you enjoyed it. I see that we share another common interest....sailboats! My wife and I live aboard Calypso (20 years), a 45' Hardin Ketch. We did a refit 4 years ago after being struck by lightning, so I can totally appreciate Storfidra's rebuild. She's absolutely beautiful! If you want to have a peek at Calypso, check out my youtube video at ua-cam.com/video/MokuBm43PrU/v-deo.html I made the video for my wife while we underwent repairs (13 months) from the lightning strike. Yes, we lived at the boatyard! She became disheartened after spending so much time in the boatyard and asked if the boating lifestyle was worth all of this. I made the short video to remind her of all the adventures Calypso brought to us. (We're still on Calypso!) Thanks again for visiting. Fair Winds, Mike
Hi Dan, My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. I did a pre-check before jumping in the saddle every time. What I did do, to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and I'm glad that I did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided me with some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. I also installed heated handle grips prior to departing for this trip. I feel it really made a difference in comfort. I would have to say that I had expected to sustain more damage to the bike on this trip and I am pleased with how little I got away with. This trip is definitely not for show bikes. Part of my inventory included some baling wire, duct tape, motorcycle straps (in case you have to throw your bike in the back of a pickup bed) and some basic tools. I used some of it for myself and other times I was also able to patch together other bikes that were in need. Yes, it was sad to see that bear Prince injured. When I saw him injured, I felt obligated to stay with him (at a safe distance) so he would not die alone. It didn't take long for a concerned crowd to gather. I did keep a careful eye out for the mother bear, but she was not to be found (thankfully). The bears are truly magnificent animals and undisputed Kings of their domain. We are just the passing visitors. I cut the film footage so as not to include the euthanasia, so that my mother-in-law would not be upset. She is too, is an animal lover to the core. Thanks for watching the video, Mike
Mike, Thanks for the detailed info on your Harley. Happy to see it did well for that trip. I have an 09 and it's been a solid performer for the last 7 yrs I've owned it.
Hi LaViajerita 87, I'm glad to hear the video brought back some fond memories. That really makes my day! Thank you for allowing me to share the ride with you, Mike
Hi Steven, I would do the trip again with my Harley Davidson. I've ridden many makes and models for approximately 50 years. I'm not much of an off-roader (and neither is the Harley), but I'm more of a long distance rider, in all weather conditions. I prefer the protection that the larger fairing and windshield provides. It makes a huge difference at the end of the day. I actually thought about renting an Adventure Bike to go to Prudhoe Bay, via the Dalton Highway. But, the company that offered the service wanted me to use my own insurance company and offered no coverage in the event of a "mishap". What were the chances of something happening on the infamous "Haul Road?" Haha! I didn't want to take a chance and end up blowing my good insurance rate! If I wasn't riding such a long distance, I wouldn't have minded riding a lighter bike through some of the construction zones. The Harley got a little "squirrely" on a couple of those slippery, muddy stretches. I think a lighter bike with aggressive tread would have handled it much better. I did meet a young man in Anchorage named Bruno. He rode his 200cc Yamaha from Chile to Anchorage, on a budget of $400 a month. It took him almost 2 years! What a story he had to tell! I think an individual's riding style, distance, budget and age factor into what kind of bike you will ultimately ride. Any mechanically sound bike is up to the task......just not any rider. It will test your endurance and skills to the max. There are many good articles on the internet that make recommendations on the type of bikes used for this trip. I hope I was able to answer your question. Thanks for for your interest and for watching the video. If I can answer any more questions, feel free to ask anytime. Mike
Hi warptman, What a keen eye, haha! When I set out to make this video, I struggled to put everything in chronological order. My problem was that I was trying to match some of the words in the songs to the pictures. Some of those words really had some deep meanings to me. To compound the matter, I had to contend with 90+ wildfires on the return leg, necessitating me to backtrack on some of the same routes. In the end, I decided to just match the songs to the pictures and let the words tell the story. Thanks for allowing me to share the ride with you. Hope you enjoyed it. Mike
@@SailingVesselCalypso I loved the video! I've driven the Alcan 22 times now and I live in Alaska. I drive in a Ford Ranger though, most trips were from Alaska down to the states and back. Sometimes Alaskans actually leave Alaska! Why fly when you can drive, right? Cheers!
@@warptman I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed the video. That means a lot to me, coming from a resident of Alaska. It's no wonder that you were able to recognize exactly where Teslin Bridge was in relation to Liard Hot Springs. You probably know every curve and pothole on that stretch, haha! Thanks again for visiting!
Hi sumofl, I'm not sure what the true miles per gallon were on the other bikes. But we tried never to let the fuel gauge dip below half, which was about every 120 miles for me (I have a 5 gal tank). Only once, did I and the older BMW come close to running out of fuel when a gas station that should have been open, was permanently closed. Rough riding surfaces increase your fuel consumption considerably. After that, we fueled up regardless of what the gauge read whenever we came upon a gas station in the remote areas, haha! I spent a total of $781 for fuel, for the entire trip. If I did my math correctly, that's around 11 cents per mile. I normally use premium fuel in my bike. However, in the remote areas, that will not always be available. I've heard of some riders bringing fuel additives, but I don't think that is necessary. My bike ran fine (no pinging). Others bring a spare gasoline container of some sort, but unless you're going off-road, again, I don't think it's necessary. If you can spare the space and it gives you peace-of-mind, then go for it. I read an article that recommended using an MSR water bladder for spare fuel. I tried it once and it leaked all over the place, so I would not recommend that route. Hope this helped. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Thanks for watching my video!
Thanks for watching the video angels814ever! We left SoCal on June 20 during a record setting heat wave. We finally got some relief by the time we got into Utah and it got down right cold in Montana. Turned out, it was a good time to start. We had no problems getting into any campgrounds. When the season gets into high gear, it can get challenging to find an open campsite in the more popular campgrounds. Don't forget to check the weather trends. You'll definitely be getting rain, with an ever so slight chance of snow!
Hi Tear of Taste, Do good intentions count? Haha! Believe it or not, I did pack some fishing gear. Sorry to say I just did not make the time to drop the hook into one of the thousands of creeks or ponds that I passed. Thanks for watching the video! Mike
Hi Art, Sorry to hear you didn't like the music. Maybe it's a Generation Gap. I guess that's what the volume control is for :). Initially I had some reservations about taking the Harley on such a challenging trip, but "you ride what you got". Thanks for watching the video Mike
Hi De Ba, I know how you feel about the injured bear. I was feeling pretty bad about it myself. But it is part of the trip and a fact of life out there. Unfortunately, animals getting hit by vehicles on those remote highways happens frequently. People getting killed by hitting those animals happens quite often as well. There is beauty and danger to be found throughout this journey. My purpose in showing the injured cub was to remind people to slow down and enjoy the beauty of it all. You might just save the life of one of those magnificent animals or yourself. I do appreciate your comments (our family loves animals too) and thank you for watching the video. Mike
I made a similar trip from Everett Wa. 6000 miles in three weeks on a BMW 1200 RT. Best time of my life. Alaska is amazing. Would love to go again.
Hi 4grndkds,
Congrats on doing the trip too! The BMW 1200 RT can definitely handle anything the Alaska Highway can throw at you. I dream of someday doing the trip again. It's life changing. Perhaps we'll cross paths out there 👍. Safe travels. Thanks for watching the video.
Mike
Nice to see the Harley made the trip with no break downs.
Wow. Absolutely stunning scenery. This must have been an amazing ride!
Not a day goes by, that I don’t think about the trip. Beautiful country, down to earth people, and new friendships! I was told by a long time resident somewhere in the Yukon Wilderness, that I would leave a “changed man.” Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks for watching the video Paul! Glad you liked it!
@@SailingVesselCalypso Do you think you can share itinerary ? Im planing a trip on my bike from TIJUANA Mexico. GREAT VIDEO!
@@alcaet Hi Carlos, Sorry it took a while to respond. I had to dig through my receipts to make sure I didn’t forget any stops. As to your inquiry about my itinerary. Keep in mind, that this can vary based on individual rider experience, physical endurance, weather, what is important for you to see, and time restraints. Most stops were just an overnighter. Places like Denali State Park requires a few days. The total miles driven from San Diego to Fairbanks and back was 8,689 miles in 6 weeks. To replicate my trip, you would need to ride a minimum of 206 miles per day, and spend only one night at each location to complete the journey in 6 weeks. If you spend two nights, you would need to ride 412 miles the following day. Three nights, 618 miles. Alternatively, if you rode 412 miles per day, you could spend two nights at each location.
The following, is my route. Northbound (start of trip) and Southbound (return). I wanted to return to the USA through Washington State, but could not find a clear route, due to the numerous wildfires. I would highly recommend purchasing the latest edition of Milepost magazine (available from Amazon) to compliment what ever GPS system you will be using. The Milepost magazine will have all of the information you need, i.e., routes, lodging, restaurants, gas stations, campgrounds, grocery stores, etc. Keep in mind, there is no guarantee that all businesses listed will be open. Many businesses close down for one reason or another, with no notice. For that reason, I never let my gas tank go below half in remote areas.
NORTHBOUND:
Interstate 15 to Mesquite, Nevada (Casablanca Resort, north of Las Vegas)
Interstate 15 to Salt Lake City, Utah (KOA Campground)
Interstate 15 to Butte, Montana (KOA Campground)
Interstate 15 to Coutts, Alberta, Canada (Border Checkpoint)
Begin Highway 4 to Lethbridge (Premier Inn & Suites)
Highway 3 to Fort Macleod
Highway 2 to Calgary (Ramada Inn)
Highway 1 to Banff and onto Lake Louise (Campground)
Highway 93 to Jasper (Whistlers Campground)
Highway 16 to Highway 40 to Grande Prairie Harley Davidson (needed new tires)
Highway 43 to Beaverlodge (Campground)
Highway 43 to Highway 2 to Dawson Creek
Highway 97 to Pink Mountain Campsite
Highway 97 to Fort Nelson, Triple Hideaway RV (Campground)
Highway 97 to Laird Hot Springs (Campground)
Highway 97 to Highway 1 to White Horse (Campground)
Highway 1 to Tok RV Village (Campground)
Highway 2 to Fairbanks, Alaska USA (Campground)
SOUTHBOUND:
Highway 3 to Denali State Park (need permit to camp, purchased at REI in Fairbanks)
Highway 3 to Highway 1 to Anchorage (Harley Davidson Campground. All motorcycles welcome)
Highway 1 to Highway 9 to Seward (City Campground)
Highway 9 to Highway 1 (backtrack northbound) to Tok RV Village (Campground)
Highway 2 (southbound again) to Highway 1 (Canada)
Highway 1 to Haines Junction, Cozy Corner Motel
Highway 1 to White Horse (Campground)
Highway 1 to Boya Lake (Campground)
Highway 1 to Highway 97 to Laird Hot Springs (Campground)
Highway 97 to Highway 37 to Highway 37A to Stewart (Rainey Creek Campground)
Highway 37A back to Highway 37 to Kitwanga Cassiar RV Park
Highway 37 to Highway 16 to Prince George, Blue Cedar RV Park
Highway 16 to Jasper (Whistlers Campground)
Highway 16 to Highway 93 to Lake Louise Campground
From Lake Louise Campground (heading south), I had to retrace my northbound route due to the numerous wildfires. If I remember correctly, there were 91 wildfires burning simultaneously!
I hope this helps you plan your itinerary. Appreciate you watching my video and hope you have a great trip! Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions. Mike
Thanks for sharing. Awesome pics, video, and music. Ahhh Alaska by motorbike, on every man's bucket list.
Thanks for watching the video! Figuring out which pic to include was the hardest. It seemed like you couldn't go more than 5 minutes without wanting to pull over and take it all in (and take a picture). For me, a ten minute video cannot adequately describe the feeling I am left with after this ride. It's life changing. I really hope you get to experience this trip in your lifetime.
SailingVesselCalypso, planning on going next summery. This summer is BC Canada, and Colorado and surrounding. How did the bikes do re wear and tear? Much stone chips and dents etc.? Love the bike variety.
My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. What I did to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and im glad i did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. The Yamaha Tenere suffered a broken muffler and a loose windshield. The BMW 1200 GS suffered some electrical issues with an after market phone charging system purchased off of eBay. The BMW 1150 GS had an issue with it's kickstand leaning over too far (solved with a piece of wood and some bailing wire).
Sounds like normal wear and tear for Alaska roads. Two sets of tires sounds crazy though. Roads are crazy harsh then, with sharp rocks and debris I imagine. Good to hear you all did pretty well considering. I'm considering pushing my trip to alaska ahead to this summer, and thinking about a KTM Super Adventure S with road tires up to the Yukon, then switching to ADV 50/50 tires through the Top of the World Hwy up to Prudhoe Bay and back, then shipping the 50/50s back home from Yukon. It is about 1500 miles paved road to Yukon from my location, and 1500 miles from Yukon to Prudhoe so not a bad idea switch to 50/50s I feel with all the potted gravel roads and never mind when they get wet - mud soup. Also going to put a ton of 3M paint protection film on the plastic and painted areas where most of the stone chips/ dings are expected. Thx again for sharing.
I should also add that while it seems my Harley had more breakage, I did not notice some of these until I got home. I am on the East coast now and the rest of the crew is on the West coast. We really haven't had a chance to discuss equipment failures amongst us, so I can't give you a full list of their equipment failures...just mine. Bailing wire, para-cord, and duct tape saved the day more than once. If you are starting from anywhere in the lower 48, just plan/budget on a set of new tires halfway into your trip. I thought that I had plenty of tread left on my tires when I left San Diego. That turned out to be a bad decision on my part and it took some diligent research from my support team back home (wife) to find a new set of tires. I had no tread left on the rear tire by the time I arrived at the Harley Davidson dealership in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. I stopped at a total of three motorcycle shops on this trip. The feeling I was left with was, that if they know you are traveling to Alaska, they will do their best to get you in-and-out as quickly as possible to resume your journey. Prices for parts and labor in Canada were comparable to US prices.
That's got to be the cutest Border Patrol Guard on the Planet?
Thanks for watching the video!
Haha! I already caught some flak for that! I have to use a different Port of Entry now (just kidding)!
Yeah, but she also looked just as surly as ever other Canadian border guard I have met, they just all seem to hate their jobs.
I think we all fell in love with that border patrol agent... my Lord I'd love see all her tattoos! This was a great vid. Brought a tear to my eye, mostly because I spent my youth and most of my career up and down the Alaska Highway. Liard Hot Springs etc. I live in Arizona now, but your video really brought me home for a minute. Great job. If you do it again, hit me up.
Hi Matt B,
My wife won't let me use that checkpoint anymore, haha! (Just kidding). What a great place to have spent your youth growing up and working! The local people I met and the unspoiled beauty of the land are truly remarkable. That must have been quite a change for you moving so far south. I hope you are as happy in Arizona as well. Thank you for your compliments and I'm glad that I was able to bring back some fond memories.
Mike
@@SailingVesselCalypso yes, I never appreciated it as much growing up there as I do now. That said, 40 below every single winter I can do without. I've actually experienced minus -63°C working on an oil rig right up by the hot springs. Oofta!
Outstanding!
Hi Vin,
Thanks for droppin' in to watch the video! Glad you enjoyed it!
Mike
What an awesome trip, video, & friendship!
Thanks Tim! It was certainly one of my most ambitious rides by a long shot! One resident in the Yukon Wilderness told me that some people are forever changed when they pass through. Count me as one of them...
Great Video... great sites... great music! Well done
Hi Sundog!
Glad you decided to drop in and watch the video! Thanks for the kudos! It's much appreciated!
Damn, looks like an incredible time, wish to do it someday.......
Hi William,
It was definitely in the "epic category" for me. I was fortunate enough to have the right timing, equipment, friends, and support to undertake the trip of a lifetime. I hope you get to experience the journey too. Until then, stay safe and healthy during these challenging times. Thanks for watching the video.
Mike
Wonderful video. Great job!!
Thanks Dunknd1! Glad to hear you liked it!
Amazing! Can't wait till I get to go. Thanks for sharing. Very nice job
It was great video
I’m planning to go
Thanks for viewing our adventure Ron. I hope you get a chance to do this "epic ride of a lifetime!"
I'm glad you enjoyed the video Alex. Sorry for the delayed response. If you're planning, you're already half-way there! Our crew talked about it for a year over coffee and beer (separately of course), then got serious the following year and went for it. I hope you have as an amazing journey as I had.
Great video!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Michael,
Thanks for droppin' by to watch the video! Glad you enjoyed it.
Mike
All I can say is Wow 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Hi Gerard,
Thanks for watching the video and the 4 thumbs up! I'm glad to have shared the ride with you! Sorry for the late reply. Boat projects and home projects got me a little distracted.
Mike
That is an excellent video super images!! Thanks
Hi David,
Thanks for the Kudos and thank you for letting me share my adventure with you! I sincerely appreciate your's and everyone else's compliments on the video. I'm very grateful to be able to share the experience with so many people.
Mike
Hi David!
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video. I really appreciate the compliments. Sorry about the late reply, I've been traveling.
Thank you for visiting and watching.
Mike
Wow the one guy did it on a Harley, I would never attempt that on a Harley...kudos to him.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the kudos! Riding the Harley was "challenging" at times, but I love the comfort of an Electra Glide for long distance riding (plus it's the only bike I've got, haha!). Thanks for droppin' by to watch the video.
Mike
Awesome video man! I saw you commented on my video, glad our paths crossed out in Alaska! Amazing trip, with a lifetime of memories!
Thanks for watching my video Eric! Everyone I met, was a part of this trip that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. May our paths cross again on the next adventure.
Looks like a great road trip and adventure thanks
Thanks for allowing me to share the trip with you. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Wow that was a long trip!! Good video and music with amazing landscapes!!
Thanks for viewing! Yes, it certainly was a lot of miles in the saddle. You can make the trip as fast as you want (if you're limited on time) or at a leisurely pace (recommended) and experience not only the nature, but the local residents that live and work there. I found that the hunters had the most fascinating stories.
Looks like a blast! Great video and music choice! Maybe one day......
Glad you liked the video Philip! I really hope you get to turn that "maybe" into a reality one day.
good stuff. What an experience. I hope to do it someday. I still have plenty of warm weather trips to do first! Nice job with the video.
Hi Kenny55!
Thanks for the compliments on the video! It is an experience that will change you "inside" for all your remaining days! I sincerely hope you get to experience this someday soon.
Thank you for watching,
Mike
What a trip!!!!! Nice work! Hope we ride again someday
Thanks Ben. I agree, what a trip...the trip of a lifetime and friendships forged on that highway that will certainly last a lifetime as well. May we meet on the highway again brother....
Great video, thanks for sharing your adventure!!
Thanks for letting me share the experience with you Andre!
Hey Mike, I looked through all of the comments but didn’t see this answered, have you ever posted the google map link of your route?
Sounds like a great trip!
Hi jtylershaw,
I didn't use google maps for this trip. The map that I show at the end of the video was me retracing the trip after I got back (using google and my notes), just so people could visualize the route. I used my iPhone, Waze navigation app, and the paper map from Mile Post. Since the trip, I no longer use Waze. I am a google maps convert. There are isolated areas where your cell phone will have no reception, and paper maps are a must. My wife (back in San Diego) used google maps to keep track of where I was, as I updated her with my location frequently. She was my "support team" during the entire trip. She helped me find a Harley Davidson dealership to purchase new tires and negotiate my way thru 90+ wildfires on my return trip. Perhaps on the "next trip" I will use google maps combined with some other app to create a video showing the location simultaneously.
Thanks for dropping by to watch the video! I appreciate it!
Mike
How’d the Harley handle the Canadian and Alaskan roads ??
I notice all the other bikes were Dual Sports.
If you had to do it over, would you rather have taken a dual sport instead of the Harley?
I took my Road Glide to Mexico in 2016.
80% of the roads were fine for the Harley.
But the other 20% darn near shock it to pieces.
Great video.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Big Rig Rich Jumper,
Haha! I certainly know what you mean by being "shook to pieces!" I'm going to copy/paste parts of my answer from previous posts to your question since I do get asked this quite frequently.
My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. I did a pre-check before jumping in the saddle every time. What I did do, to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and I'm glad that I did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided me with some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. I also installed heated handle grips prior to departing for this trip. I feel it really made a difference in comfort. I would have to say that I had expected to sustain more damage to the bike on this trip and I am pleased with how little I got away with. This trip is definitely not for show bikes.
I would do the trip again with my Harley Davidson. I've ridden many makes and models for approximately 50 years. I'm not much of an off-roader (and as you know, neither is the Harley), but I'm more of a long distance rider, in all weather conditions. I prefer the protection that the larger fairing and windshield provides. It makes a huge difference at the end of the day. I actually thought about renting an Adventure Bike to go to Prudhoe Bay, via the Dalton Highway. But, the company that offered the service wanted me to use my own insurance company and offered no coverage in the event of a "mishap". What were the chances of something happening on the infamous "Haul Road?" Haha! I didn't want to take a chance and end up blowing my good insurance rate! If I wasn't riding such a long distance, I wouldn't have minded riding a lighter bike through some of the construction zones. The Harley got a little "squirrely" on a couple of those slippery, muddy stretches.The Dual Sports in my group were lighter and definitely handled better in the gravel, dirt and mud.
Nice chatting with you and thanks a million for watching the video. Ride safe,
Mike
looks a fun filled epic trip guys ride safe
Hi Mark,
Epic it was! Memories to last a lifetime.
Thanks for watching,
Mike
Beautiful trip !!!!!! Eyyy bro help me how much is the coast per night in the camograunds i live in mexico City and i want to go to Alaska so I would like to know how many bucks will I need !!!! Thanks sorry for my English 😎😎👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Hi Sinbrujula Americano,
Buenos dias compadre! Your English is great, no apologies necesito. My Spanish on the other hand, needs a lot of help, haha! The cost per night is between $16.00 - $30.00 US, depending on which campground you stay at and how many days/weeks you plan on staying. I spent approximately $530.00 for campgrounds and $470 for 6 nights in hotels in the cities, for my 6 week roundtrip starting from San Diego, CA. Fuel cost approximately $780 (8,700 miles). Food, approximately $1,200 (6 weeks). If you want to stay at the National Parks in the US and Canada, consider purchasing a National Parks Pass (one for the US, another for Canada). You will have to compare the costs, to see if the passes will save you any money. I also recommend purchasing "The MILEPOST 2020: Alaska Travel Planner" book (I bought mine from Amazon). In my opinion, this book is an absolute must-have-item in order for you to plan your trip properly. Thanks for watching the video and I am available if you have any more questions.
Mucho gusto,
Mike
What time of year did y'all go? We are leaving Ga in last week of May or first week of June 2020.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for watching the video. We left Southern California on June 20. The last week of May or first week of June is an excellent time to leave. You will beat the summer crowds to the popular camp grounds. I don't know your itinerary, but you may want to consider a Canada Parks Discovery Pass and/or a National Parks Pass if you plan on camping frequently in any of the parks (you'll have to do the math to see if it's worth it). "The Milepost 2020" Alaska Travel Planner is a must (I would not do the trip without it). I know this adventure will create fond memories that will last a lifetime. Feel free to ask about anything else regarding the trip. Planning for it is half the fun!
Mike
Very good video..
Waiting for next chapter 👍👍👍
#Malaysia
#TourismMalaysia
#MalaysiaTrulyAsia
Hi Abahzaeem!
Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for visiting!
Mike
Nothing like some good old guys riding motorcycles! How'd your Harley hold up pretty good? I got a 2011 ultra limited and runs great excellent Touring bike
Hi yamachopper,
In my opinion, any bike is up for the task. Just not every rider. I'm going to copy/paste parts of my answer from previous posts to your question since I do get asked this quite frequently. My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. I did a pre-check before jumping in the saddle every time. What I did do, to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and I'm glad that I did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided me with some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. I also installed heated handle grips prior to departing for this trip. I feel it really made a difference in comfort. I would have to say that I had expected to sustain more damage to the bike on this trip and I am pleased with how little I got away with. This trip is definitely not for show bikes.
Part of my inventory included some baling wire, duct tape, motorcycle straps (in case you have to throw your bike in the back of a pickup bed) and some basic tools. I used some of it for myself and other times I was also able to patch together other bikes that were in need.
I would do the trip again with my Harley Davidson. I've ridden many makes and models for approximately 50 years. I'm not much of an off-roader (and as you know, neither is the Harley), but I'm more of a long distance rider, in all weather conditions. I prefer the protection that the larger fairing and windshield provides. It makes a huge difference at the end of the day. I actually thought about renting an Adventure Bike to go to Prudhoe Bay, via the Dalton Highway. But, the company that offered the service wanted me to use my own insurance company and offered no coverage in the event of a "mishap". What were the chances of something happening on the infamous "Haul Road?" Haha! I didn't want to take a chance and end up blowing my good insurance rate! If I wasn't riding such a long distance, I wouldn't have minded riding a lighter bike through some of the construction zones. The Harley got a little "squirrely" on a couple of those slippery, muddy stretches.The Dual Sports in my group were lighter and definitely handled better in the gravel, dirt and mud.
Thanks for watching the video. Ride safe,
Mike
@@SailingVesselCalypso interesting story thanks for sharing! I'm 45 years old now and I'm just getting into long-distance riding did a couple of 3000 mile trip to ready I have 5 weeks of vacation time and no wife lol, I'm planning on August to go to Yellowstone ,Washington down the Pacific coastline Grand Canyon Skywalk then back up Colorado and heading for home
@@yamahchopper that sounds like a great ride! With 5 weeks to do 3,000 miles, you will have a leisurely ride. Stop at the mom and pop diners, strike up conversations with the locals, meet other riders.....that's my idea of long distance riding. I'm left with much more pleasant memories than the blur of a high speed run from point A to B. But I do understand the "need for speed" for some riders. Family obligations, jobs, other deadlines...Fast or slow, we all share the love of the wind in our face and the open road.
Mike
@@SailingVesselCalypso I definitely like chatting with the locals where ever I go
Did y'all ride the Denali HWY? How about the Top Of The World HWY? Thoughts on doing it on Ultra Classic, I will be on my 2010.
Hi Robert,
I did not ride either the Denali or Top Of The World Hwys. "The Milepost" Alaska Travel Planner, contains a wealth of information regarding the different highways (you can purchase it from Amazon). I'm going to copy/paste parts of my answer from a previous post to your question since I do get asked this quite frequently. My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. I did a pre-check before jumping in the saddle every time. What I did do, to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and I'm glad that I did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided me with some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. I also installed heated handle grips prior to departing for this trip. I feel it really made a difference in comfort. I would have to say that I had expected to sustain more damage to the bike on this trip and I am pleased with how little I got away with. This trip is definitely not for show bikes.
Part of my inventory included some baling wire, duct tape, motorcycle straps (in case you have to throw your bike in the back of a pickup bed) and some basic tools. I used some of it for myself and other times I was also able to patch together other bikes that were in need.
I would do the trip again with my Harley Davidson. I've ridden many makes and models for approximately 50 years. I'm not much of an off-roader (and as you know, neither is the Harley), but I'm more of a long distance rider, in all weather conditions. I prefer the protection that the larger fairing and windshield provides. It makes a huge difference at the end of the day. I actually thought about renting an Adventure Bike to go to Prudhoe Bay, via the Dalton Highway. But, the company that offered the service wanted me to use my own insurance company and offered no coverage in the event of a "mishap". What were the chances of something happening on the infamous "Haul Road?" Haha! I didn't want to take a chance and end up blowing my good insurance rate! If I wasn't riding such a long distance, I wouldn't have minded riding a lighter bike through some of the construction zones. The Harley got a little "squirrely" on a couple of those slippery, muddy stretches.The Dual Sports in my group were lighter and definitely handled better in the gravel, dirt and mud.
Ride safe,
Mike
Harley 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😊😊😊😊
Nice meeting you both in Fredericksburg Virginia. Thanks for sharing the video. I have the chills and invigorated to make that ride. DeAndra Gayle on Facebook, from Tememcula, Softail Heritage
Glad you liked the video Deandra. Susan and I enjoyed meeting you too. We wished we could have chatted a while longer, but we were worried about getting caught in the rain on our ride back to Maryland. I hope you get to do the Alaska trip sooner than later. Be sure to make a video. I think that you have the personality to inspire other women to ride, near and far.
We realized a long time ago, that the more we travel, the smaller the world becomes. We are continuously amazed by how much we have in common with the people that we meet from different parts of the world.
When you have the time, check out our sailing adventures at ua-cam.com/video/MokuBm43PrU/v-deo.html I made the sailing video for Susan while we underwent 13 months of major repairs in Savannah, GA, after a lightning strike in Brunswick, GA. She was feeling a little depressed and asked, "what are we doing here...is it worth all this?" The video was to remind her what it was all about...she cried when she saw the video for the first time.
Hope to see you on the road again soon. Until then, keep the rubber side down and the shiny stuff up!
great video, keep them coming, where did you find your tent at, and how much space did it take up on your bike?
Hi Bob,
Glad you enjoyed the video. The tent is a Praying Mantus, made by Quest. I'm the original owner and absolutely love mine. It's a two person, four season, double wall tent with a huge vestibule. I believe that these tents were made in the mid 80's - early 90's (?). I have used it for backpacking and motorcycle trips. Unfortunately, the company is no longer in business, but they do pop up on eBay once in a while. The tent, fly and poles fit nicely in a 25 liter, waterproof bag. I secured the bag to the trunk-lid of my Harley Ultra with a pair of Rok Straps. Just a hint, every bag gets it's own pair of straps. The roads you encounter will loosen your load and when you arrive at your campground, you may be a bag or two lite if you only used one pair of straps to secure your entire load.
Mike
Awesome
Hi Gung Ho Adventures,
Thanks for watching the video! Glad you enjoyed it. I see that we share another common interest....sailboats! My wife and I live aboard Calypso (20 years), a 45' Hardin Ketch. We did a refit 4 years ago after being struck by lightning, so I can totally appreciate Storfidra's rebuild. She's absolutely beautiful! If you want to have a peek at Calypso, check out my youtube video at ua-cam.com/video/MokuBm43PrU/v-deo.html
I made the video for my wife while we underwent repairs (13 months) from the lightning strike. Yes, we lived at the boatyard! She became disheartened after spending so much time in the boatyard and asked if the boating lifestyle was worth all of this. I made the short video to remind her of all the adventures Calypso brought to us. (We're still on Calypso!)
Thanks again for visiting. Fair Winds,
Mike
Great video. How'd ur Ultra do on the trip? Damn shame about the bear...but glad someone put it out of its pain.
Hi Dan,
My bike, a 2004 Harley Ultra Classic, suffered a broke trunk light, broken trunk latch, broken floor boards (rubber portion), two sets of tires, small paint chip on lower fairing, ding in the stainless steel fork cover, and a broken side cover mount (failed epoxy from a previous repair). The washboard roads are brutal and you need to keep an eye out for loose nuts and bolts. I did a pre-check before jumping in the saddle every time. What I did do, to reduce potential flying stones from other FAST moving vehicles on gravel roads, was to pull over and wait for them to pass. My windshield is a little high and I'm glad that I did not cut it down for this trip. The extra height provided me with some protection from the occasional pebble as well as bugs. I also installed heated handle grips prior to departing for this trip. I feel it really made a difference in comfort. I would have to say that I had expected to sustain more damage to the bike on this trip and I am pleased with how little I got away with. This trip is definitely not for show bikes.
Part of my inventory included some baling wire, duct tape, motorcycle straps (in case you have to throw your bike in the back of a pickup bed) and some basic tools. I used some of it for myself and other times I was also able to patch together other bikes that were in need.
Yes, it was sad to see that bear Prince injured. When I saw him injured, I felt obligated to stay with him (at a safe distance) so he would not die alone. It didn't take long for a concerned crowd to gather. I did keep a careful eye out for the mother bear, but she was not to be found (thankfully). The bears are truly magnificent animals and undisputed Kings of their domain. We are just the passing visitors. I cut the film footage so as not to include the euthanasia, so that my mother-in-law would not be upset. She is too, is an animal lover to the core.
Thanks for watching the video,
Mike
Mike,
Thanks for the detailed info on your Harley. Happy to see it did well for that trip. I have an 09 and it's been a solid performer for the last 7 yrs I've owned it.
2:22 hell ya, welcome to Canada 😍😍😍😍
Hi Addicted2baseball rgd,
Canada....beautiful country = beautiful people👍! Glad you enjoyed the video
Mike
Damn, I miss the motorcycle road trips with my ex. They brought much excitement to me.
Hi LaViajerita 87,
I'm glad to hear the video brought back some fond memories. That really makes my day! Thank you for allowing me to share the ride with you,
Mike
If you had to do it again, what type of bike would you recommend?
Hi Steven,
I would do the trip again with my Harley Davidson. I've ridden many makes and models for approximately 50 years. I'm not much of an off-roader (and neither is the Harley), but I'm more of a long distance rider, in all weather conditions. I prefer the protection that the larger fairing and windshield provides. It makes a huge difference at the end of the day. I actually thought about renting an Adventure Bike to go to Prudhoe Bay, via the Dalton Highway. But, the company that offered the service wanted me to use my own insurance company and offered no coverage in the event of a "mishap". What were the chances of something happening on the infamous "Haul Road?" Haha! I didn't want to take a chance and end up blowing my good insurance rate! If I wasn't riding such a long distance, I wouldn't have minded riding a lighter bike through some of the construction zones. The Harley got a little "squirrely" on a couple of those slippery, muddy stretches. I think a lighter bike with aggressive tread would have handled it much better. I did meet a young man in Anchorage named Bruno. He rode his 200cc Yamaha from Chile to Anchorage, on a budget of $400 a month. It took him almost 2 years! What a story he had to tell! I think an individual's riding style, distance, budget and age factor into what kind of bike you will ultimately ride. Any mechanically sound bike is up to the task......just not any rider. It will test your endurance and skills to the max. There are many good articles on the internet that make recommendations on the type of bikes used for this trip. I hope I was able to answer your question. Thanks for for your interest and for watching the video. If I can answer any more questions, feel free to ask anytime.
Mike
Why did you show Teslin Bridge and then go back to Liard River Hot Springs?
Hi warptman,
What a keen eye, haha! When I set out to make this video, I struggled to put everything in chronological order. My problem was that I was trying to match some of the words in the songs to the pictures. Some of those words really had some deep meanings to me. To compound the matter, I had to contend with 90+ wildfires on the return leg, necessitating me to backtrack on some of the same routes. In the end, I decided to just match the songs to the pictures and let the words tell the story. Thanks for allowing me to share the ride with you. Hope you enjoyed it.
Mike
@@SailingVesselCalypso I loved the video! I've driven the Alcan 22 times now and I live in Alaska. I drive in a Ford Ranger though, most trips were from Alaska down to the states and back. Sometimes Alaskans actually leave Alaska! Why fly when you can drive, right? Cheers!
@@warptman I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed the video. That means a lot to me, coming from a resident of Alaska. It's no wonder that you were able to recognize exactly where Teslin Bridge was in relation to Liard Hot Springs. You probably know every curve and pothole on that stretch, haha! Thanks again for visiting!
how did the harley fair for fuel compared to the other bikes?
Hi sumofl,
I'm not sure what the true miles per gallon were on the other bikes. But we tried never to let the fuel gauge dip below half, which was about every 120 miles for me (I have a 5 gal tank). Only once, did I and the older BMW come close to running out of fuel when a gas station that should have been open, was permanently closed. Rough riding surfaces increase your fuel consumption considerably. After that, we fueled up regardless of what the gauge read whenever we came upon a gas station in the remote areas, haha! I spent a total of $781 for fuel, for the entire trip. If I did my math correctly, that's around 11 cents per mile. I normally use premium fuel in my bike. However, in the remote areas, that will not always be available. I've heard of some riders bringing fuel additives, but I don't think that is necessary. My bike ran fine (no pinging). Others bring a spare gasoline container of some sort, but unless you're going off-road, again, I don't think it's necessary. If you can spare the space and it gives you peace-of-mind, then go for it. I read an article that recommended using an MSR water bladder for spare fuel. I tried it once and it leaked all over the place, so I would not recommend that route. Hope this helped. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Thanks for watching my video!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!, WHAT MONTH DID YOU TRAVEL?? THANKS. =]
Thanks for watching the video angels814ever! We left SoCal on June 20 during a record setting heat wave. We finally got some relief by the time we got into Utah and it got down right cold in Montana. Turned out, it was a good time to start. We had no problems getting into any campgrounds. When the season gets into high gear, it can get challenging to find an open campsite in the more popular campgrounds. Don't forget to check the weather trends. You'll definitely be getting rain, with an ever so slight chance of snow!
Try doing some fishing next time. Good video
Hi Tear of Taste,
Do good intentions count? Haha! Believe it or not, I did pack some fishing gear. Sorry to say I just did not make the time to drop the hook into one of the thousands of creeks or ponds that I passed. Thanks for watching the video!
Mike
Nice video
Thanks for stopping by to look at the video Juan! Glad you enjoyed it!
Could do without the music !! With gravel / dirt roads don't know why you would bring a harley !!😄
Hi Art,
Sorry to hear you didn't like the music. Maybe it's a Generation Gap. I guess that's what the volume control is for :). Initially I had some reservations about taking the Harley on such a challenging trip, but "you ride what you got". Thanks for watching the video
Mike
Was diggin the video until you shared the bear injured; we didn’t need that coverage
Hi De Ba,
I know how you feel about the injured bear. I was feeling pretty bad about it myself. But it is part of the trip and a fact of life out there. Unfortunately, animals getting hit by vehicles on those remote highways happens frequently. People getting killed by hitting those animals happens quite often as well. There is beauty and danger to be found throughout this journey. My purpose in showing the injured cub was to remind people to slow down and enjoy the beauty of it all. You might just save the life of one of those magnificent animals or yourself. I do appreciate your comments (our family loves animals too) and thank you for watching the video.
Mike
@@SailingVesselCalypso save the fact of life next time. We get it, don’t need to see it
top.
Hi Raphael,
Thanks for watching the video! Glad you enjoyed it!
Mike
👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋💪✌️
Hi Carmelo,
That is certainly the MOST Emojis I have ever received, haha! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video.
MIke