Mountains, Moose, and Miles: a Montanan's Alcan Highway Story

[RUOK]

Hey great report and you took some fantastic photos, I especially liked the sunny ones of Alaska, most of my time there was overcast. Also cool seeing the central MT pics, my wife is from Lewistown and we've hunted a lot in Missouri breaks and around Winnefred and Hilger, pics make me want to go back. Good job

[MTrider16]

Originally Posted by IpponDuro

Nice Ride, Nice Report. I made a pretty similar ride a couple months before you with 2 other ADV'ers, Looks like the weather cooperated for you also.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by RUOK

Also cool seeing the central MT pics, my wife is from Lewistown and we've hunted a lot in Missouri breaks and around Winnefred and Hilger, pics make me want to go back.

Thanks, when people are nostalgic for the areas in my pics, I think I did a good job.

David

[Northstar Beemer]

I've done most of these roads and enjoyed revisiting these areas through your report.

[MTrider16]

Thanks for the kind comments Northstar Beemer. - David

[ks7877]

Originally Posted by MTrider16

Am I out of trouble yet?

Naw, ya never were in trouble. I knew you were just teasing. Besides, it really is true - if a chick on an overloaded scooter can do it, anyone can!

Honestly, my summer trip wasn't really that out of the ordinary; there are lots of long-distance scooter riders. We're just a little out-numbered by the ride-around-the-corner-to-get-a-latte riders.

Looking forward to more of your ride reports and maybe even seeing you out on the road again.

[MTrider16]

ks7877,

Yes, glad you had a good summer riding also. I'm starting to hole up for the winter and getting ready for next year.

David

[superfunkomatic]

I'm planning a similar trip next summer. Were those Continental TKC 80s that you used for tires? Two sets for the trip?
Also if I was to use a more roadworthy tire on my KLR and change to a more dirt-oriented tire at some point on the trip where does the pavement really end?

Great trip report.

[MTrider16]

Originally Posted by superfunkomatic

I'm planning a similar trip next summer. Were those Continental TKC 80s that you used for tires? Two sets for the trip?

Great trip report.

The rear TKC80 goes about 4000 miles on my F800GS, the front about 8,000 miles.

The Alcan is paved the entire way. Some of the side roads are gravel, Campbell Highway, Dalton Highway (Haul Road), Denali Highway, parts of the Cassiar Highway, Highway 40 from Hinton to Nordegg. My entire route could be done on tourances or similar 70(road)/30(dirt) dual purpose tires.

Glad you enjoyed the report.

David

[superfunkomatic]

Super. Thanks for the information. I'll be heading through Alaska (not all the way to Deadhorse, just the coast, Denali, etc.) then to Inuvik. I'll take a spare set of tires along just in case.

Originally Posted by MTrider16

The rear TKC80 goes about 4000 miles on my F800GS, the front about 8,000 miles.

The Alcan is paved the entire way. Some of the side roads are gravel, Campbell Highway, Dalton Highway (Haul Road), Denali Highway, parts of the Cassiar Highway, Highway 40 from Hinton to Nordegg. My entire route could be done on tourances or similar 70(road)/30(dirt) dual purpose tires.

Glad you enjoyed the report.

David

[MTrider16]

Originally Posted by superfunkomatic

Super. Thanks for the information. I'll be heading through Alaska (not all the way to Deadhorse, just the coast, Denali, etc.) then to Inuvik. I'll take a spare set of tires along just in case.

I paid as much for the TKC80 in Fairbanks as I do here. Also Alaksan Leather has good prices for tire (they don't do installs), just call them and ask them to reserve one for you on the day you go through Anchorage. UPS will hold packages at thier depot's for a small fee. There are other options to hauling the tires with you.

[DreadPirateKermit]

Just got done reading your RR David. Great report, wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing! You really got great mileage with the 800GS. My DL650 doesn't do any better, and you have a few more ponies.

I'm planning on going north next year - I've been to Hyder a few times, but really want to get to Inuvik, and maybe Deadhorse. Your report is a great inspiration, as well as a wealth of information. Thanks for posting it!

Ken

[lenny6753]

Great RR, I really enjoyed it. I plan on taking the same trip next summer and had a quick question if you don't mind answering it. I will be riding my KTM 990 for the trip which requires premium fuel. If I am not mistaken so does your 800. Did you use premium fuel the entire route and if so was it difficult to find? Thanks.

[MTrider16]

Originally Posted by lenny6753

Great RR, I really enjoyed it. I plan on taking the same trip next summer and had a quick question if you don't mind answering it. I will be riding my KTM 990 for the trip which requires premium fuel. If I am not mistaken so does your 800. Did you use premium fuel the entire route and if so was it difficult to find? Thanks.

I put premium fuel in when it was avalible. There were probably 15 times I fueled with less than 91 octane. The BMW manual hints at higher grades but I don't see that there is much problem with running less than that. Nothing I've seen so far anyway.

If you have to have premium fuel, I'd carry octane booster.

David

[1994klr250]

Great RR MTrider16. I'm really hoping to do this ride in the next year or so. What size gal rotopax did you have on your bike? I'm guessing 1 gal each? If so was 2 gallons of extra gas plenty for the F800GS for this trip?

[MTrider16]

I only had to use one gallon, 5 different times. Once was because I miscalculated a fuel stop and passed a gas station. In the data sheet at the end of the report, you can count how many times I went over 200 miles which is the effective range of the main tank.

David