Screw Bill and Ted! Kim and Mike's Most Excellent 2008 Alaskan Adventure

[Dave Noel]

I see you guys are at it again this year. :-)

good luck on your trip.

OH why the DR, what happen to the f650?

[2touringtheworld]

Howdy Dave!

Nice to hear from you! Still diggin Gander?

We figured that AK roads might be a tad rougher than the TLH and Kim could throw the DR around more than the F650. So far, she finds it more maneuverable and flickable. It's somewhat lighter and has more suspension travel, so we'll see.

Our best to your family and everyone at RTR.

Mike and Kim

[2touringtheworld]

May happens to be my birthday month and my best bud, my father in law, always does something nice for me (pretty cool huh). So he knows that Kim and I are going to AK and shipping Kim's bike. So what does he do in his spare time and deliver to my garage ready to go?




One Ready To Go Motorcycle Crate!


and a pic of the crate at a different angle...



It's a good thing for me that he's an excellent woodworker. One crate ready to go and delivered to your house! How's that for service?

Anyway, Kim and I were able to pay him back in a small way (we hope) because we got him into bikes at age XX, that's his Shadow on the right...



that's him and Kim on the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia...

and

He got us into....



BEER!

Notice the small (empty) mugs.... Well not really, we kinda knew about beer already, but we can enjoy it together.

[skibum69]

Hey Mike-good to hear from you!! Nice to see the preparations are going well for Alaska. I just got home again 2 nights ago and am ready to ride! I'm set on Labrador this year before they pave it-we'll see what else I can fit in. I'm going to have to do more multi days to maximize my time I'm thinking? Did you post a link to this thread on RTR yet?

[2touringtheworld]

Mike,

Glad to hear you are going to ride the TLH! I haven't posted a link to RTR but can do so if you think they would be interested over there.

Hope all is well.

Mike

[skibum69]

I saw you were lurking around RTR today-go ahead and throw up a link, I'm sure there are plenty of folks that will enjoy hearing about your latest adventures. If it would stop raining around here I'd try to get out for some of my own

[Dave Noel]

Originally Posted by 2touringtheworld

Howdy Dave!

Nice to hear from you! Still diggin Gander?

We figured that AK roads might be a tad rougher than the TLH and Kim could throw the DR around more than the F650. So far, she finds it more maneuverable and flickable. It's somewhat lighter and has more suspension travel, so we'll see.

Our best to your family and everyone at RTR.

Mike and Kim

Verdict's still not in on Gander, still missing Labrador. :-)

Kim's Dad, is that Dick? How's his tib and fib after his last get off.

Our best to all you guys

Like Mike said post a link up on RTR too, I am sure the gang would like to see it.

[2touringtheworld]

Dave,

Yup, Dick is Kim's dad. His tib/fib healed well. He did a good amount of skiing this winter but I think he's decided that his turbo jet ski is the way to go for the summer time and the bike is out.

I gotta tell you, that turbo jet ski is a hoot. With Kim and I on it together at the same time, I saw 62 MPH on the speedo and it still had more to go.

I also threw a quick link up on RTR for the folks there.

Later,

Mike

[2touringtheworld]

So some of you may be wondering, why only one crate? Are you riding two up on a DR? Well if you know me, Kim is right sized for two up on a DR, but I'm afraid it isn't going to happen with Kim and me on it at the same time.

So what am I riding?

I present to you...



My new to me baby. A 2006 KTM 640 Adventure with ~600 miles on it courtesy of ADVer Arcticrdr who made a deal with me last summer, stored the bike for me all winter and is handling miscellaneous chores for me on his own time and energy. So Thanks Jason!!! It never ceases to amaze me the courtesy and comraderie of all of the folks on this website.

It will have panniers and other miscellaneous items (like a Renazco seat) installed prior to my arrival so both Kim and I should be all set when we show up in Anchorage.

[skibum69]

Nicely done on the new ride Mike! It will be funny when we finally meet up on the road-like twins. What are you putting on it for luggage? I'm just on my way out the door to go dig my bike out and try to find some icebergs.

[Dave Noel]

Where do you two store all your bikes. wow.

[2touringtheworld]

Well it decided to rain all weekend here and time is running out to complete the farkelization of Kim's DR. So I decided it was best to do it sooner than later. So today was the day.

The first thing to be done was to reinstall the cut down sidestand. We had set the suspension to its lowest factory setting and the stock sidestand left the bike virtually upright. So not being a welder, I took it to be cut down an inch and this was the result.



Installed the result was like so:



Now it was time to add the bash plate, case guards and rear brake guard:




So after a couple of hours of work, the end result was: Bash plate on...



Left side case guard...



Right side case guard...



... and the rear brake guard. That finished the last of the new accessories. But...

[2touringtheworld]

I alluded to the fact that we might go to a smaller top box and we did make that decision. So here is the smaller Jesse top box attached and ready to go. At least this way, there will be less weight high and hanging off the sides of Kim's bike.



Of course, it's an official ADV top box...



So what does it look like fully farkled? Right side shot...



Left side shot...



and most importantly, with the Boss' seal of approval...



Now that its fully farkled and fully approved, its time for the crate. So a little stencil work...





Now we're ready to load!

[skibum69]

Sweet! The decal inside Kim's top box is key, I need to get me one of them for sure! Getting closer..........

[2touringtheworld]

Originally Posted by skibum69

Sweet! The decal inside Kim's top box is key, I need to get me one of them for sure! Getting closer..........

Mike,

You should see the plate on my truck. Need I say more?

You gotta love NH.