Can an FJR1300 make it up the Dalton Highway?

[MotoStrap]

Can an FJR1300 make it up the Dalton Highway?

When I told people I was riding my motorcycle to alaska then up the dalton highway, I usually got "on that bike".......

"that bike" is my 2008 Yamaha FJR1300......not really made for ADV Riding, but I was going to give it a go anyway.

I started planning it about 59 days before my departure date of June 10, 2011. I started a tent space request thread on ADV and began keeping a blog at johnsalaska.blogspot.com.

I got a few people to offer up tent space and my first two days on the road were going to be with them. One in Fairfax, Vermont and one in Mericer Quebec Canada, where I would go and see the Formula 1 race.

Most of the ride reports are on my blog. So I'll add them to this thread about one per week.......

I also took a bunch of video and pictures. I have my smugmug account linked to my webpage where you can check out the pictures/video.

Video on youtube.com HERE

Let the fun begin!

 

[exskibum]

Many forum members have done so on their FJRs. In fact, one forumite who doesn't post very often, John Ryan, has the record from Prudhoe Bay to Key West -- set a couple years ago on his FJR. IIRC, it's right around 3 days. I believe he's done the Dalton several times.

Looking forward to your installment reports.

 

[eeksnake]

Absolutely! Just remember that whatever bike you take will NOT be the same bike when you return. (A quote I've heard from many who have made the trip.)

What an adventure! Please post up pics and updates... Maybe a ride report?

 

[Ryan]

Can an FJR1300 make it up the Dalton Highway?

Yes, and the FJR will do it at a speed and with a grace unmatched by any other motorcycle, including those European "adventure bikes". It's structured like a big sportbike, with very strong forks, a twin beam perimeter frame that connects the steering head to the swingarm pivot, a nearly perfect front/rear weight distribution, and well-centralized mass.

These things give the rider great feedback about what the tires are doing, allowing the bike to slide predictably and controllably in dirt, mud, gravel, and even some snow and ice. The FJR's basic structure also makes it easier to prevent the bike from sliding. If you're not comfortable doing that, just slow down.

You may be throwing a lot of gravel around, and will certainly have a lot thrown at you by the trucks using the road. Make sure your headlights, auxiliary lights, and radiator have guards installed. I also learned the hard way that a bash plate is important, after a rock kicked up from the front wheel and put a hole in the oil pan. A shop in Prudhoe Bay built the plate from sheet aluminum, we used heavy duty hose clamps to attach it to the exhaust, and it cost a fortune, like everything does up there. The fork tubes should be covered with boots (46mm?), to guard them from nicks that will destroy the fork seals.

A good suspension, with proper spring rates for your weight and load, will help tremendously. My bike was set up with fork springs and a shock from HyperPro, using custom progressive spring rates.

You will scrape the underside from time to time, but I never found that to be a major concern.

Stay away from the trucks, and out of their way, as much as possible. The Dalton was built for them to make a living, and you're a tourist.

Good luck, and stay safe! You may find that your confidence builds as you progress, don't let that bite you. Maintain a pace that is comfortable for your skills.

Best regards,

John Ryan

 

[Imp]

Can't wait to read your ride repport, will you post it there or at ADVrider ? :fans: .

 

[beemerdons]

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=118990&st=0 Bluestreek and MCML rode the Dalton Highway, their Ride Report is here. Our Esteemed John Ryan has given you some excellent and very useful tips for riding the Dalton Highway.

I worked in Alaska every Summer for five years in the mid-80's as a Union Pipefitter, riding my motorcycle up from the lower 48 as soon as the roads were clear and heading back when "termination dust" started falling from the sky!

I worked two years on Pump House Number Four, which is just North of the Atigun Pass in the Brooks Range. If the road is dry and I mean dry, the Dalton is easy; rode it on both a 1984 Harley-Davidson FLH and a 1986 BMW R80RT.

I had the advantage of the use of ALYESKA meteorologists, since I was a subcontractor through Viking of Seattle, I'd just ask the Weatherman to tell me about a clear three day window of opportunity. The Dalton wet is NASTY, NASTY!

 

[yamafitter]

The one item you need to guard against is plugging the rad with calcium if the road is wet on the north slope. They use calcium chloride on the road for dust control and this stuff when wet turns into cement and will block the rad. I rode the Dalton in 2006 on a rented 650 KLR and this became an issue. Also there are no car washes in Deadhorse and due to environmental regulations up on the tundra don't get caught washing the bike if you don't plan on collecting the waste water. Selling your FJR will not cover the fine. If the road is wet keeping the rad from plugging will be tough, not impossible, just tough.

The road was gravel basically from Coldfoot to Deadhorse in 2006 which includes the Atigun Pass over the Brooks Range. If I remember correctly it is 400 km with no fuel available. That is too close to the edge of the fuel range of my FJR for me to attempt without aux fuel on board. Remember, in that part of the world you are in grizzly country and you are no longer at the top of the food chain.

Mr Ryan's suggestion of a bash plate is also an excellent suggestion and should not be overlooked.

 

[beemerdons]

My Good Friend yamafitter-Bill F. made an outstanding point regarding the calcium chloride used on The Dalton Highway for dust control plugging up the radiator on your FJR.

These pictures are from Steve and Joseph and I highly recommend reading their fantastic AK Ride Report. https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=118990&st=0

 

[Bounce]

Just remember that whatever bike you take will NOT be the same bike when you return. (A quote I've heard from many who have made the trip.)

i've not heard those exact words but reading many a trip report from riders who took street bikes there and back, i concluded that i'd never take a bike i loved (and wanted to keep) up there unless i was willing to do a complete strip-and-clean when done (including a new paint job). the road material, when wet, gets into every bit of the bike and dries to concrete-like trouble. a guy i knew with an ST1100 did it and the story he shared had me shaking my head. it took him a VERY long time to get his bike sorted back out after he was done.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

You know it can. And in record time, in the rain, and at night. Have fun, send us some photos! :yahoo:

 

[Ryan]

The one item you need to guard against is plugging the rad with calcium if the road is wet on the north slope. They use calcium chloride on the road for dust control and this stuff when wet turns into cement and will block the rad.

Yes, thanks for the reminder, yamafitter!

You may want to have a putty knife in your tool kit to scrape that stuff off the radiator from time to time. When you see the temperature gauge start to climb, take a break, and clear the radiator.

John Ryan

 

[MotoStrap]

Day 1, Fairfax Vermont

Departed a little late today, around 0815. I remembered real fast that riding FAR is painful in the beginning on the rear end. After I got into the it, started to feel “normal”. Couple of quick hiccups at the start. First my SiriusXM radio stopped working, and when I say stopped working I mean I wasn't getting it for free anymore. I picked up the radio from Habitat for Humanity store for $25 and there was some subscription still left on it, I just didnt know when it was going to end. And apparently it ended today

Then I got an email from SPOT saying that my credit card didn’t go through and they were going to stop the service within a few days. I ended up stopping at a rest area in Vermont where they had free wifi. So I logged on and got the siriusXM re-activated in my name and paid the $37 SPOT bill. CRISIS averted!

I continued on for a bit and made my first gas stop in Vermont at around 200 miles. The FJR has a 6.6 gallon tank, but the low fuel light begins flashing when there is 2 gallons left. I was averaging about 42 miles per gallon. I stopped and refilled it with 4.8 gallons at $3.89 per gallon.

While stopped I spoke to several people who asked where I was going. They thought Americade in New York. When I told them Alaska, their eyes got a little big.....them......”from here?......me.....”yes from CT”......

I arrived at Larry and Loretta’s house in Fairfax, VT around 3pm. They entertained me, gave me beer, fed me a nice meal of chicken, salad, rice and brownies/ice cream for desert. They are both BIG TIME motorcycle travelers and are heading to Prudhoe Bay about 3-4 weeks after me.

I recorded a video which I should be putting up when I can. Picture this....I am sitting by a fire, wearing a mosquito net, and my head lamp on typing away on the computer.

Tomorrow, i am heading to Mercier, Quebec for my second night of tent space, then Sunday to Montreal for the F1 race.

Original Post HERE with pictures

 

[wheatonFJR]

I see that the question in post #1 wasn't really a question...more rhetorical...as he's already on his way.

Good luck to you. Stay safe and get back home in 1 piece.

 

[Ryan]

I continued on for a bit and made my first gas stop in Vermont at around 200 miles. The FJR has a 6.6 gallon tank, but the low fuel light begins flashing when there is 2 gallons left. I was averaging about 42 miles per gallon. I stopped and refilled it with 4.8 gallons at $3.89 per gallon.

Original Post HERE with pictures

Please do not start to ride past the start of the Alaskan Highway without carrying at least a gallon of extra gas. Stations can be few and very far between, and hardly any of them are open 24 hours.

Don't run out up there, it can sometimes be hours before you see another vehicle.

You may find $3.89 to be about the cheapest gas you'll buy on this trip. It will be at least double that price on the Alcan, and may be more than $10 in Prudhoe Bay. I think it was $8+ there two years ago.

John Ryan

 

[MotoStrap]

I continued on for a bit and made my first gas stop in Vermont at around 200 miles. The FJR has a 6.6 gallon tank, but the low fuel light begins flashing when there is 2 gallons left. I was averaging about 42 miles per gallon. I stopped and refilled it with 4.8 gallons at $3.89 per gallon.

Original Post HERE with pictures

Please do not start to ride past the start of the Alaskan Highway without carrying at least a gallon of extra gas. Stations can be few and very far between, and hardly any of them are open 24 hours.

Don't run out up there, it can sometimes be hours before you see another vehicle.

You may find $3.89 to be about the cheapest gas you'll buy on this trip. It will be at least double that price on the Alcan, and may be more than $10 in Prudhoe Bay. I think it was $8+ there two years ago.

John Ryan

maybe I did and maybe I didn't

 

[MotoStrap]

Can't wait to read your ride repport, will you post it there or at ADVrider ? :fans: .

its going top be posted in three places, here, ADV and my blog johnsalaska.blogspot.com

 

[MotoStrap]

Start of Day 2

Day 2: Woke up early around 0530 in Fairfax, Vermont. Went inside larry and loretta’s house and had coffee with them for a few hours, we just sat around and talked. Got all the gear together and headed out around 0830 am to fuel up before I jumped on the highway, about 2.6 gallons at 106 miles. Headed on Interstate 89 North and followed the GPS which routed me into New York where I picked up Interstate 87 north. Now the fun begins.....

I arrive at the US Customs booth on the north bound side of Interstate 87, which is closed on the weekends. I need them to sign a form for my shotgun which I am leaving the US with. So I see that on the other side of the highway is the US Customs south bound entry station. There is kind of a no mans land in between the US and Canadian borders. So I cut across the to the south bound side of highway and pull up to the US Customs BUSES ONLY section. I get yelled at by several agents

I try to explain that I need a form signed and that I am not re-entering the country, just that the other side was closed. The tell me to get in line. So I get in line and eventually make it to the booth. Several agents are there along with the one that yelled at me. They go through the procedure of me re-entering the the US and eventually have my pull over to the side, but they made sure I was not “marked for inspection”

I meet several agents on the side and explain that I need the form signed and blah blah blah. I go through the questions, of why and where I am going, why the gun....they take my keys to the bike.

I eventually make it inside with a female agent who is very nice and gets me through the process, check the serial number on the shotgun, which I have to unhook several bags to get too, and she sends me on my way. So now I have to go across the highway again to the north bound side to get into the Canadian Customs line.

and here we go again........

I get a female french customs agent. And I can’t speak french and she can’t speak very good english.......me.....”hello, I have a shotgun to declare”.......her (french accent) “ i cannot understand you”........me......”I have a SHOTGUN, here is my passport and the form I needed to fill out”......her.....”i have never seen this before”......she closes the window on the booth and makes a phone call.......her......”I have never seen this (form)before”.......really? you are a customs agent, its kind of important you know these things.....

After a minute, she asks me several questions, who, what, why, etc.....fills out a pink form, hands me back my passport and original firearms form, which I completed in triplicate.....because I read the directions.......her....”go to isle 1 and stop by the sop sign and an agent will meet you.

I drive up and am greeted by two female customs agents......

hello....her are my forms, I have a shotgun.....they question me, about who what and why......pocked face ugly female customs agent......french accent......”why are you bringing a shotgun?”.....me.....”wildlife protection, its checked off on the form”.....her....”you are going to a biker rally, so you are using it for protection from other bikers”......

“Noooooooo........I said wildlife protection......from the bears”.....

Cue the searching of the bike......so they take the keys and begin trying to open the top and side cases. As I watch the good looking agent, not the pocked marked one....she is trying to insert the wrong keys into the wrong locks.....me.....”uh....i can help you with that, you might break it if you put it in the wrong locks”.....her....”sure”......so I open the side and top cases........

Then I see her start using the motorcycle key as a pry bar to get the blue straps holding the bags down to loosen up......me.......again....”UH......I can help you with that.......!!!”

I they start going through the stuff.....ugly agent.....french accent.....”what do you do for a living?”.......me......”police officer”....her “oh you have a badge?”......me.....”yes”.....and cue the intense searching for the pistol, which I am not carrying.......

And apparently pepper spray is not allowed either........they take that..........

And the ugly one finds my folding pocket knife, which she starts flicking open......her.....”what is this a switch blade?”.......me......”no its not, it has a thumb knob on it”......her......as she continues to flick it open....”have you ever heard of a gravity knife?”......ok I’ll pay dumb.......”yes i have”.....her......”well this is a gravity knife”.....

Now I am getting a little bit uppity.......I hold up my hand, palm towards her......me.....”look, its not a gravity knife, if you say it is, then fine, take it, I don’t care”.....she is new, I can tell that she isn’t too knowledgeable on knives/guns.

Then I get from her....”do you have a permit to carry the shotgun from state to state in the USA?”........ok.......me.....”no you dont need one”.......

Finally after they are done going through my stuff, I am told that I can pick everything back up and come inside where I will finish the forms and pay my $25.

So inside I go....goto the counter, some guy is filling out the forms, explains that they are talking my spray, its not allowed, but since I declared it, no harm no foul.....then he hands me back my knife and says its not a gravity knife.....thank you

So now I get my passport and have to check in with immigration.....walk down the hallway...had it over to another agent....”wait for your name to be called”.......

I sit for a few minutes, and another agent walks out.....says “John Joseph”.....you are all set, go pay the cashier $25 for the permit.......walk down the hall....pay her $25....get a form that says my name is “Joseph Bunce”....which isn’t my correct name.

Go see the guy again who gave me back my knife, I sign the original forms I brought, three times. I show him the error they made on the form I got back after paying.......he briefly talks to another guy about it. They decide to cross out my name, write my correct name and then stamp it with some Canadian Stamp...he says i wrote my name and badge number on it if you have any problems.....

Really? you think I will have a problem?

So now I get a 4 digit code which I must enter when I leave the area where i parked my motorcycle.........get loaded up and now I can’t find my keys........

I eventually find them in my bag and get on the road.....time at both customs stations....about 1.5 hours......next stop....Mercier, Quebec.....

And it only gets better......... not really..........

 

[Bugnatr]

Wow, fun read. Better you than me with the custom agents, I'd have to brush up on my anger mangmt. classes before I head across the border. Keep the reports coming, it will be nice to follow your adventure north.

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Yeesh! This is why I don't do foreign travel! :lol: Nice report, looking forward to the coming installments! Hope your ride gets better.... it has to, right? :huh: