I went on a trip to Inuvik and then on to Prudhoe Bay this June/July.
The Dempster Highway to Inuvik in Yukon and NWT was much rougher than the Dalton to Prudhoe.
I had read many stories of terror on the roads, trucks, gravel, and being eaten by bears. :)
I bought a used 2001 KLR for $2500...