Who's headin' to Alaska this summer?

swjohnsey · 03-15-2006, 12:47 PM

I plan on takin' off from South Texas around June 1st on my '01 KLR650. The bike is a veteran so no mysteries there. I will be putting a fresh chain and sprockets (D.I.D. VM, 15/38 O.E.M/Sprocket Specialist hard anodized) and a fresh set of Pirelli MT90 STs. Other than checking the valves, sticking in a fresh plug and changing oil and filter, there is nothing I need to do to the bike.

I plan on heading up US 83 through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska then over to US 85 to get over to Mt. Rushmore. Then US 85 through South and North Dakota and a more or less direct shot to Regina. From Regina 16 to Edmonton and on to Fairbanks. Plan on stopping in Ft Nelson to do maintenance (change oil and filter clean airfilter).

I am mailing a couple of care packages to myself to replenish consumables and some clean clothes, one to Fairbanks and one to Tok.

From Fairbanks it is up to Deadhorse and back. From Fairbanks it is down to Denali National Park for a couple of days and then on to Anchorage. From Anchorage to Tok. On the way home I plan on going through Calgargy and down through Montana on the way home to see slightly different scenery.

I have been to Alaska a few times and have seen something of Fairbanks, Denali National Park and Anchorage. First time on a motorcycle.

DR650Keith · 03-15-2006, 01:06 PM

I'm heading to AK also. Leaving Katy TX on May 26th, but heading west to Big Bend, doing FM170 , then cutting north to Guadalupe Mts NP, up through New Mexico, Colorado and then up eventually to Glacier National Park. From there up through the Canadian Rockies to meet the Alcan. I will be on an '04 R1150R and this is the first time I've rode this far. Been planning this ride for a couple years and I'm raring to go!

swjohnsey · 03-15-2006, 01:31 PM

FM 170 is fun. I might catch up with you eventually. Look for an old guy with a hi viz yellow Roadcrafter.

DR650Keith · 03-15-2006, 02:10 PM

I'll be the fat bearded man on a silver R1150R. I was thinking of doing the trip on my DR650 but it's hard to haul all my camping gear and stuff on the DR. The DR's a lot more fun to ride though. How you hauling all your stuff on the KLR? Hope you have a good ride.

F3rider · 03-15-2006, 04:12 PM

Me and a buddy of mine will be heading up that way around july 17th, Im leaving from Asheville nc. the bike of choice (or lack of funds) klr650. Im looking forward to your reports. have a safe trip.

akrider · 03-15-2006, 04:16 PM

Just a reminder to everyone heading to Alaska that the Dust to Dawson ride hits Dawson YT on June 15th and 16th. If you can time your ride to meet the group I can guarantee a great time.

See ya in Dawson

CBXMan · 03-15-2006, 04:58 PM

Leaving West Kentucky on June 4th. and hope to be in Deadhorse by the 13th. and Dawson City on the 16th. But the road to Hell is paved with good intentions and a lot of rain.....

djroszina · 03-15-2006, 06:37 PM

I'm riding up leaving Milwaukee, WI August 4th. I'm taking my trusty Honda XR650L with Cobin seat, Rifle fairing, and Happy Trail aluminum boxes. I'm hooking up shortly with friends in Sturgis and then heading noth to Glacier NP and crossing the border there. I'll then head west and take the Cassier(sp) up to Hyder and explore the roads/trails around Premier. My side boxes and fairing are desined to come off with ease for those off-road oppertunities. From there it's up to Anchorage where my girlfriend is flying in to spend 5 days in the area south of Anchorage with me. After she leaves it will be Dawson City and several points south along the west coast, and then home. I hope to do it in the month that I am off. I'm using the Avon Distanzias for the trip, and am also bringing a spare chain/sprockets, wheel bearings and ignition system along with the usual tubes and such. I was last up there in 96 on a new BMW k1100lta that broke down at the entrance to Denali. I ended up buying a used 78 R100/7 from George Ryan at Trails End BMW to get home. BMW repaired my bike over the AK winter and shipped it back to MKE free of charge all under warrantee. Good luck to all riders headed North. DJR.

Gasket · 03-15-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akrider

Just a reminder to everyone heading to Alaska that the Dust to Dawson ride hits Dawson YT on June 15th and 16th. If you can time your ride to meet the group I can guarantee a great time.

See ya in Dawson

I've been planning to ride to Alaska for over 20 years. This season seems to provide the opportunity. Excuse my ignorance but what is the Dust to Dawson ride? I'd be interested in hooking up with some fellow riders. Will be piloting my 1150GS. By the way, I just received my Jesse low pipe Odessy bags. Will post the "before and after" pics with a report of how the installation went. Mike in Port Orchard, WA

friar mike · 03-15-2006, 07:52 PM

Just check out the over the top hop thread for Dust to Dawson info and all will be revieled. there is also a big BBQ on may 20th here at the Abbey in Wasilla Alaska thats 50 miles north of Anchorage and hopefuly I will be show casing the new shop here

it will be about the only independent motorcycle shop here in Alaska catering to traveler's and anybody else on any type of bike we also have camping space. the Abbey is at 3.5 mile Knik Goosebay road you guys and gals can PM me or look it up on map qwest. I will soon be starting a thread for the shop and location.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasket

I've been planning to ride to Alaska for over 20 years. This season seems to provide the opportunity. Excuse my ignorance but what is the Dust to Dawson ride? I'd be interested in hooking up with some fellow riders. Will be piloting my 1150GS. By the way, I just received my Jesse low pipe Odessy bags. Will post the "before and after" pics with a report of how the installation went. Mike in Port Orchard, WA

Gasket · 03-15-2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friar mike

Just check out the over the top hop thread for Dust to Dawson info and all will be revieled. there is also a big BBQ on may 20th here at the Abbey in Wasilla Alaska thats 50 miles north of Anchorage and hopefuly I will be show casing the new shop here

it will be about the only independent motorcycle shop here in Alaska catering to traveler's and anybody else on any type of bike we also have camping space. the Abbey is at 3.5 mile Knik Goosebay road you guys and gals can PM me or look it up on map qwest. I will soon be starting a thread for the shop and location.

Just did. Looks like the ride of the year. Got GS, camping gear, machete and maps...will travel....

friar mike · 03-15-2006, 09:58 PM

if you want to see what some of us did last year check out the arctic circle demster dash thread now that was a fast run!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasket

Just did. Looks like the ride of the year. Got GS, camping gear, machete and maps...will travel....

swjohnsey · 03-16-2006, 05:58 AM

Leave it to a noob to post stufff in the wrong section. Anyway, a nuts and bolts question for some of the folks who live in Canada. Can you get Mobil 1 15w50 oil easily. I have a couple of oil changes planned, both in Canada (probably in Ft. Nelson) and am wondering. I am not married to that oil but was just wondering. I plan on carrying one filter and have including one in my resupply "care package".

What day will this Dawson run leave Anchorage this year. I might try to move up my start date a few days to make it?

akrider · 03-16-2006, 09:30 AM

The Dust to Dawson is ride from many different points in Alaska to Dawson in the YT of Canada. Over the years it has become a gathering of riders heading into and out of Alaska. Last year over 40 riders showed up in downtown Dawson around the solstice weekend, some from as far away as New Zealand.

D2D is a ride your own ride adventure. Ride solo or join with friends with Dawson being the goal. Many of the Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer riders will leave on Wednesday June 14 and travel to Tok, Alaska where the Golden Bear Motel is the gathering place for the evening. Rooms and camping are available-call 1-9-7-883-2561 for reservations.

On June 15th travel from Tok to Dawson is in order...by way of Chicken of course and mabe even a side trip into and out of Eagle for lunch and gas.
The Host hotel in Dawson is the Downtown Dawson Hotel (1-867-993-5346). Camping is also available. The owner of the downtown hotel is a BMW rider and Dawson is a very motorcycle friendly town--Just don't bring guns and wear your helmet-your in CaNaDa ah.

The 16th is play day. Many of the riders visit the old gold dredge or take a ride on the 60 or 100 mile loop into the mining district outside of town. There will also be a poker run. There is lots to see and do in this historic mining town so it's easy to spend the day being a tourist. Friday evening our host "Dawson Dick" provides a buffett dinner (great food at a great price and a cash bar) for anyone interested, prizes and suprises are the order of business. After dinner the street in front of the hotel is closed off by the local mounties and biker games are in order-enter or watch-It's always entertaining. At Midnight the bikes are "POSTED" Everyone gets a Dust to Dawson sticker for the front fender of their bike. Wear it with pride.

On the 17th everyone heads back home.

Lots of good ride reports have been posted about previous D2D events. Search around here at advrider and you'll find all the information you need.
If your comming north and can time your travels to be in Dawson YT on the 15th and 16th it will be worth the trip.

Any questions.....Just ask!

ZZR_Ron · 03-16-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swjohnsey

Leave it to a noob to post stufff in the wrong section. Anyway, a nuts and bolts question for some of the folks who live in Canada. Can you get Mobil 1 15w50 oil easily. I have a couple of oil changes planned, both in Canada (probably in Ft. Nelson) and am wondering. I am not married to that oil but was just wondering. I plan on carrying one filter and have including one in my resupply "care package".

What day will this Dawson run leave Anchorage this year. I might try to move up my start date a few days to make it?

Just go to Canadian Tire, they should have what you're looking for.
If not. they'll have something else close enough.

I think I'm running 5w50 synth right now, but I'm also starting the bike at
-20.

03-15-2006, 12:47 PM	#1
swjohnsey ^OP Banned Joined: Mar 2006 Oddometer: 3,568	Who's headin' to Alaska this summer? I plan on takin' off from South Texas around June 1st on my '01 KLR650. The bike is a veteran so no mysteries there. I will be putting a fresh chain and sprockets (D.I.D. VM, 15/38 O.E.M/Sprocket Specialist hard anodized) and a fresh set of Pirelli MT90 STs. Other than checking the valves, sticking in a fresh plug and changing oil and filter, there is nothing I need to do to the bike. I plan on heading up US 83 through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska then over to US 85 to get over to Mt. Rushmore. Then US 85 through South and North Dakota and a more or less direct shot to Regina. From Regina 16 to Edmonton and on to Fairbanks. Plan on stopping in Ft Nelson to do maintenance (change oil and filter clean airfilter). I am mailing a couple of care packages to myself to replenish consumables and some clean clothes, one to Fairbanks and one to Tok. From Fairbanks it is up to Deadhorse and back. From Fairbanks it is down to Denali National Park for a couple of days and then on to Anchorage. From Anchorage to Tok. On the way home I plan on going through Calgargy and down through Montana on the way home to see slightly different scenery. I have been to Alaska a few times and have seen something of Fairbanks, Denali National Park and Anchorage. First time on a motorcycle.

03-15-2006, 01:06 PM	#2
DR650Keith Motorcycle Nutjob Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Katy, Texas Oddometer: 74	Also going to AK from Katy, TX on May 26th I'm heading to AK also. Leaving Katy TX on May 26th, but heading west to Big Bend, doing FM170 , then cutting north to Guadalupe Mts NP, up through New Mexico, Colorado and then up eventually to Glacier National Park. From there up through the Canadian Rockies to meet the Alcan. I will be on an '04 R1150R and this is the first time I've rode this far. Been planning this ride for a couple years and I'm raring to go!

03-15-2006, 04:16 PM	#6
akrider mild adventurer Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Anchorage, Ak Oddometer: 1,672	Dust to Dawson Just a reminder to everyone heading to Alaska that the Dust to Dawson ride hits Dawson YT on June 15th and 16th. If you can time your ride to meet the group I can guarantee a great time. See ya in Dawson __________________ To someone with only a hammer - all problems appear to be nails. Ignoranus-def: someone who is stupid and an asshole.

03-16-2006, 05:58 AM	#13
swjohnsey ^OP Banned Joined: Mar 2006 Oddometer: 3,568	Leave it to a noob to post stufff in the wrong section. Anyway, a nuts and bolts question for some of the folks who live in Canada. Can you get Mobil 1 15w50 oil easily. I have a couple of oil changes planned, both in Canada (probably in Ft. Nelson) and am wondering. I am not married to that oil but was just wondering. I plan on carrying one filter and have including one in my resupply "care package". What day will this Dawson run leave Anchorage this year. I might try to move up my start date a few days to make it? swjohnsey screwed with this post 03-16-2006 at 06:01 AM Reason: addition

03-16-2006, 09:30 AM	#14
akrider mild adventurer Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Anchorage, Ak Oddometer: 1,672	Dust to Dawson The Dust to Dawson is ride from many different points in Alaska to Dawson in the YT of Canada. Over the years it has become a gathering of riders heading into and out of Alaska. Last year over 40 riders showed up in downtown Dawson around the solstice weekend, some from as far away as New Zealand. D2D is a ride your own ride adventure. Ride solo or join with friends with Dawson being the goal. Many of the Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer riders will leave on Wednesday June 14 and travel to Tok, Alaska where the Golden Bear Motel is the gathering place for the evening. Rooms and camping are available-call 1-9-7-883-2561 for reservations. On June 15th travel from Tok to Dawson is in order...by way of Chicken of course and mabe even a side trip into and out of Eagle for lunch and gas. The Host hotel in Dawson is the Downtown Dawson Hotel (1-867-993-5346). Camping is also available. The owner of the downtown hotel is a BMW rider and Dawson is a very motorcycle friendly town--Just don't bring guns and wear your helmet-your in CaNaDa ah. The 16th is play day. Many of the riders visit the old gold dredge or take a ride on the 60 or 100 mile loop into the mining district outside of town. There will also be a poker run. There is lots to see and do in this historic mining town so it's easy to spend the day being a tourist. Friday evening our host "Dawson Dick" provides a buffett dinner (great food at a great price and a cash bar) for anyone interested, prizes and suprises are the order of business. After dinner the street in front of the hotel is closed off by the local mounties and biker games are in order-enter or watch-It's always entertaining. At Midnight the bikes are "POSTED" Everyone gets a Dust to Dawson sticker for the front fender of their bike. Wear it with pride. On the 17th everyone heads back home. Lots of good ride reports have been posted about previous D2D events. Search around here at advrider and you'll find all the information you need. If your comming north and can time your travels to be in Dawson YT on the 15th and 16th it will be worth the trip. Any questions.....Just ask! __________________ To someone with only a hammer - all problems appear to be nails. Ignoranus-def: someone who is stupid and an asshole.

03-15-2006, 01:31 PM	#3
swjohnsey ^OP Banned Joined: Mar 2006 Oddometer: 3,568	FM 170 is fun. I might catch up with you eventually. Look for an old guy with a hi viz yellow Roadcrafter.

03-15-2006, 02:10 PM	#4
DR650Keith Motorcycle Nutjob Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Katy, Texas Oddometer: 74	I'll be the fat bearded man on a silver R1150R. I was thinking of doing the trip on my DR650 but it's hard to haul all my camping gear and stuff on the DR. The DR's a lot more fun to ride though. How you hauling all your stuff on the KLR? Hope you have a good ride.

03-15-2006, 04:12 PM	#5
F3rider n00b Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Franklin nc Oddometer: 1	Me and a buddy of mine will be heading up that way around july 17th, Im leaving from Asheville nc. the bike of choice (or lack of funds) klr650. Im looking forward to your reports. have a safe trip.

03-15-2006, 04:58 PM	#7
CBXMan Studly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Western Kentucky Oddometer: 566	Leaving West Kentucky on June 4th. and hope to be in Deadhorse by the 13th. and Dawson City on the 16th. But the road to Hell is paved with good intentions and a lot of rain.....

03-15-2006, 06:37 PM	#8
djroszina Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Oddometer: 19	I'm riding up leaving Milwaukee, WI August 4th. I'm taking my trusty Honda XR650L with Cobin seat, Rifle fairing, and Happy Trail aluminum boxes. I'm hooking up shortly with friends in Sturgis and then heading noth to Glacier NP and crossing the border there. I'll then head west and take the Cassier(sp) up to Hyder and explore the roads/trails around Premier. My side boxes and fairing are desined to come off with ease for those off-road oppertunities. From there it's up to Anchorage where my girlfriend is flying in to spend 5 days in the area south of Anchorage with me. After she leaves it will be Dawson City and several points south along the west coast, and then home. I hope to do it in the month that I am off. I'm using the Avon Distanzias for the trip, and am also bringing a spare chain/sprockets, wheel bearings and ignition system along with the usual tubes and such. I was last up there in 96 on a new BMW k1100lta that broke down at the entrance to Denali. I ended up buying a used 78 R100/7 from George Ryan at Trails End BMW to get home. BMW repaired my bike over the AK winter and shipped it back to MKE free of charge all under warrantee. Good luck to all riders headed North. DJR.

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