Go West come Hell or High Water! Yamaha Super Tenere and Kawasaki KLR

The idea for this trip came late last year by my friend who thought it would be a great ride to go to Vancouver Island. The trip has since evolved with our conversations and now includes the ferry ride from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert thru the Northern Passage. This ferry is 15 hours and goes thru the most pristine untouched areas of the planet(...or so I've been told!).

Back in the fall last year I got a remaining 2012 KLR and began to farkle it up. I did not realize how much I would like dual sport riding after having 7 street bikes. I made the decision to sell my BMW R1200RT to a good friend and purchased a 2013 Yamaha Super Tenere, which arrived on March 2013. I convinced my friend to get a dual sport bike and he picked up a KLR in December.

A number of other friends couldn't make commitments to this ride, so we decided it would be a dual sport ride and we included Hyder Alaska.

Once the rough details were ironed out on the trip, I began the farkling journey of the Super Tenere.

We also farkled my friends KLR with engine guards, T63 Michelins, skidplate, Jesse Bags, etc.... did the basic maintenance in my garage.

Since we are both noobs to dual sport riding we naturally had to get our feet wet with off tarmac riding.
What better than to dive in with both feet! Both our KLR's

Group ride with Albertadualsport!

Pretty bikes, both KLR's, and especially the S-10!


Also, that's amazing how big that dual spot group ride was. I wish it was that popular in my area! Usually 4-5 of us, if that!

Fast forward to a few days ago with the disastrous flood happening in Calgary, Canmore and area and having my friend stuck near the Saddledome unable to get out due to road barriers, high waters. Also, TransCanada Hwy 1 and 1a are washed out, southern Alberta near impassable our trip was almost cancelled.
Luckily Dale was able to get out of Calgary by taking a southern access route before coming North. The trip was back on.
We decided to take the northern route thru Jasper as it seemed the safest route.

...and now we are finally on my first Live ride report!!!!
Oil change before we leave

Getting packed. How to get all the camping gear and tools into one pannier!



Departure this morning:

Nice stickers eh!


Grey bikes are faster right?!?:huh


Givi semi rigid tank bag works great!

Got into Jasper. I was cooking in my rain gear. Had to stop and take it off. We had mostly sunshine until near Jasper with only a couple of medium showers to cool us off!


Too warm!

YEAH, across the border!

Got this from my Son for Father's Day! Came from Hungary!

Been a great day so far....KLR running well. Staying here in Blue River ......tomorrow even further west...maybe even get to the coast.....then the Island !!

Oh yeah....and next time...get better shots of me and the KLR !! Lol

Made it to Valemount for a quick stop for fuel and food. Check out these prices for regular unleaded.


Great eats at this food truck!


Meet Dave! Great chef!!


Hey where does that squiggly line go? :huh


Town of Valemount

Stopped at Blue River for the night.

Hey, guys...great idea to keep us posted.
You'll love the ferry ride...remember though, the ferries do sink on that trip; stay near the railing! Plan your swim! Check to see who the captain is and if his former lover is doing the same trip... It's all part of adventure riding, yah??
I agree with Dale; too many Tenere pics! The KLR isn't getting enough media time!
So much wish I could have gone with you. Have a great time and work is waiting for you...G./KLR/RN

In for the ride!

The morning started off partly sunny with cloud and mist in the air.
We headed south to Little Fort and then West to hwy 24. I saw a sign for Cappucino, so we made a quick detour to the coffee shop, which was a log building with spectacular view of Lac des Roches.
An Italian family owns the place, so you know the fresh Americano coffee and cake snacks were to die for.

From there, we took an alternate road past Green Lake recommended by the owner and found ourselves rounding about curve after curve with no one on the road but Dale (theBullseye) and I for about 45 minutes until 70 mile house. The rain really started at Green Lake and continued unrelentingly. From there we headed to Lillooet via hwy 99. The valley is spectacular in size and breadth and road curvaceous and technical.