[UPDATED] Leaving for Alaska and the Arctic Ocean... on an S2R

[rsoffar]

amazing 
blog bookmarked

[jaxduc]

godspeed

[sofadriver]

 

i'm curious what tires you have chosen. don't forget your hole plugger and air pump.

hope you're planning to take the Prudhoe tour bus because we need pics of you dipping your toes!
ride well ! 

[AKducati]

Good luck on your trip, you're in for one hell of a ride.
I work up in Deadhorse and have seen a few bikes make it up this summer, though they have all been enduro-esque bikes. No monsters yet. Keep in mind that the Dalton Hwy (Haul Rd) is maintained for tractors hauling big loads. There aren't many gas stations or places to crash for an evening. Definitely plan on bringing some extra fuel for the longer legs. It's gravel and this has been an exceptionally wet season so look forward to many pot holes that may sneak up on ya. Like DucPainter said, those tractors will fling lots of debris at you and rarely be looking out for motorcyclists, fortunately if you lose a headlight it wont be too critical this time of year as the sun doesn't set til close to midnight and even then it's just twilight til it comes back up. I'll be making the trip up to just south of Deadhorse from Anchorage tomorrow for a hunting trip. I'll be off the grid for roughly ten days, but when I get back I'll post the road conditions and quirks I notice.
Safe travels, guy.

[OT]

Friend did similar round trip from the Philadelphia PA area on his BMW GS with nobbies....try to find out as much about road conditions/distances as you can as the tires that get you to Alaska will not be the best to use once in Alaska.

Good luck - lots of bug spray!

[eric]

Thanks for all the input and encouragement, it wouldn't be quite the same without you guys  .

As for the equipment details, I have a Pirelli Scorpion Trail on the rear and will probably change the front to the same when I reach Seattle. I used to run Bridgestone BT-023's which were worse for off the pavement. But they took me through the Carrizo Plain, Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley floor, and other places they weren't meant to go so I think I'm somewhat better prepared this time.

I also have a headlight stone guard and oil cooler guard installed so hopefully that'll take care of the rocks.

An auxiliary light (brighter than the stock headlight actually), Barkbusters hand guards, 2 gallon Rotopax fuel jug, and Ventura rack for extra luggage round out the rest.

My room looks like a tornado hit it and all of that needs to go in the moving truck Thursday morning. But important things first, stickers!

[1.21GW]

My room looks like a tornado hit it and all of that needs to go in the moving truck Thursday morning. But important things first, stickers!

 +1 on priorities. 

[ab]

A trip that many of us wish we could do.  Be safe!

[seevtsaab]

Best of luck and safe travels! Hope you've picked the right tires. You got a charger / accessory outlet?

Looking forward to living vicariously.

[yamifixer]

Looking forward to living vicariously.

My thought exactly. Have a good ride. I hate my job more than ever......

[He Man]

This is nuts. Don't forget to bring spare parts!

[Triple J]

Good luck!   I'd love to do that trip sometime.

A friend here rode to Prudhoe Bay on his supersport 800.   Your Monster should be just fine.  

[Raux]

This is nuts. Don't forget to bring spare parts!

+2  lol

[captinRob]

Have fun, ride safe, would love to go with you. 

[akmnstr]

As a long time Alaskan I'd like to add a few tips.  I don't see any problems with your plans except for the Dalton Highway section.  If the road is dry and recently been attended to, you will have no problem.  I suspect those were the conditions under which the SS was able to make the ride.  If it rains the surface will turn to snot and you will have major traction problems.  Continental now makes knobby TKC 80s for street bikes.  You might be able to get a set mounted in Fairbanks.  They will help if it is wet.  But if conditions are very wet, raining for several days, you may just have to wait it out.  If the road is in poor (meaning rough after a long rain) condition it will also beat you up.  You could hit a hole and damage your exhaust.  I'm not saying that you can't do it on your monster.  I rode the Alaskan dirt roads for years but never felt comfortable on them on my Monster.  I had a BMW F650 for the gravel.  For some local advice ADVrider has a local Alaskan section.  Lots of local riders there that can give you some great advice.