FJR to Prudhoe Bay Alaska

[Todd in LC]

Has anyone heard of or better yet seen proof that an FJR has made it to Prudhoe Bay Alaska? In the middle of planning a trip to Alaska this summer and was just wondering.

 

[markjenn]

Has anyone heard of or better yet seen proof that an FJR has made it to Prudhoe Bay Alaska? In the middle of planning a trip to Alaska this summer and was just wondering.

Wings have made it, so I'm sure FJRs have (or could). Any bike can make it if the weather is reasonable. The FJR would be far from ideal, but it would be fine if you can pick/choose a good time to go. It's just a long gravel road. It would come home pretty nicked up, but it would make it fine.

- Mark

 

[billy_037]

I have been to Prudoe Bay last summer, but not on a FJR. A FJR can do it for sure. But the road is real rough, and can be real slippery. If you take your time, you will find out for yourself. The first part, south of Coldfoot, is not that bad. North of Coldfoot, the fun really starts.

 

[Todd in LC]

Thanks for the feedback. I was considering renting a KLR in Fairbanks for the run up but where is the fun in a picture of a rental bike in Prudhoe Bay? I was viewing a website detailing someones run up on an ST1300 so I figured the FJR could make it. I know the wildcard is rain, if its wet I won't even consider it.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I have a little experience riding a streetbike on gravel since I rode a Yamaha Venture Royale up the Dempster Highway to Inuvik (and pulled a trailer). The wild card is the weather because if the road gets wet you might have to stop until it gets dry again. If you are worried about rock chips on your paint job, buy a roll of clear shelfing paper and stick it on all your leading edges. I did that before I left and it wasn't the best looking thing but after the bike got dirty you really couldn't see it anyway. I rode 7,500 miles on that trip and didn't get a single rock chip.

 

[hobarthogrider]

Might want to consider rad protection also.

 

[Fallen Jim Rides again]

Aww, I doubt that rad will bother him much in Alaska.

Sillynes aside, a radiator guard would be a real asset on a long haul on a deserted gravel road. Even a tiny leak could lead to severe discomfort.

 

[markjenn]

Thanks for the feedback. I was considering renting a KLR in Fairbanks for the run up but where is the fun in a picture of a rental bike in Prudhoe Bay? I was viewing a website detailing someones run up on an ST1300 so I figured the FJR could make it. I know the wildcard is rain, if its wet I won't even consider it.

If you're paying attention to weather and have some flexibility, you'll be fine. Our FJRs are not cherished heirlooms - they're mass-produced consumer goods, easily replaceable, and meant to be used doing cool things like this. When you're 80, you won't remember that you avoided rock chips on your FJR's paint, but you will remember your great ride to the Artic Circle and Prudhoe Bay on your FJR.

- Mark

 

[awryders]

I've been to Alaska,not on my FJR but on a BMW(R65LS).I agree 100% with mj and others---Just Do It !!!! When the time comes you'll look back and remember the great time you had,not a few blemishes on your bike.That being said the FJR holds up to gravel and less than ideal road conditions(mud,dust,snow) very well. I've got nearly 60,000 miles on mine and it still looks and runs great.

Joe

 

[Harvey55]

I rode my KLR650 to Prudhoe Bay in July of 2002. I met some Vulcan riders in Calgary and rode with them to Fairbanks. Rained 5 days out of the next 6. Some of them said they wouldn't ride their Vulcans back to Alaska. The main problems were the construction zones on the ALCAN. What stage of the construction that was occurring would determine the riding condictions. Could be fist size or larger river rock, gravel, dirt, watered dirt (mud like 2 inches of slime on hard pack) or fresh tar&gravel. Constrution could be a short distance or miles.

I rode alone to Deadhorse. It was about 50 degrees with a light rain when I left North Wood Lodge - cabins or camping just southwest out of Fairbanks. The temps dropped as I traveled north. Light rain off and on with about 2 inches of snow in Brooks Range. Dalton Hwy is not a street bike road in the wet. Not any fun on the KLR. Took me almost 14 hours to go the 500 miles. There was lots of construction sites on the way, too. I only did one long stop at Coldfoot. Eats and fuel. I took an extra gallon of gas so that was my only fuel stop. Fuel is also available at Yukon River. At the time no gas was availabe between Coldfoot and Deadhorse. I don't know if that has changed.

As soon as you get to Deadhorse go to the store/post office. They close at 9. get the lowdown on the area. Clerk told me where to stay for the best price. Artic Oilfield Hotel. Very few choices anyway. I did not take the oil field $37 bus tour.

I left the next day about 1 P.M. The rain had stopped sometime during the night(day). The trucks had the road well packed. I was running 80 and better in some

stretches. Any street bike could have traveled the Dalton that day. No dust

(which is a problem when it is dry) and very few flying rocks (another problem) when I met highballing trucks . I stopped and took pictures, did a little sight seeing, and visited 30 minutes or so with 2 gals (one English, one Australian) on a older GS and a German guy on an early model Wing. The trip back to North Wood took a little less than 12 hours.

Do a lot of research and talk to anyone who has gone. Buy a current issue of

The Milepost

If you want a full version of the Dalton trip let me know.

Sorry my post is so long, but it was a great trip.

Harvey

Just waiting for the dealer to call and tell me to come and get my '06.

 

[Rogue]

I rode my KLR650 to Prudhoe Bay in July of 2002. I met some Vulcan riders in Calgary and rode with them to Fairbanks. Rained 5 days out of the next 6. Some of them said they wouldn't ride their Vulcans back to Alaska. The main problems were the construction zones on the ALCAN. What stage of the construction that was occurring would determine the riding condictions. Could be fist size or larger river rock, gravel, dirt, watered dirt (mud like 2 inches of slime on hard pack) or fresh tar&gravel. Constrution could be a short distance or miles. I rode alone to Deadhorse. It was about 50 degrees with a light rain when I left North Wood Lodge - cabins or camping just southwest out of Fairbanks. The temps dropped as I traveled north. Light rain off and on with about 2 inches of snow in Brooks Range. Dalton Hwy is not a street bike road in the wet. Not any fun on the KLR. Took me almost 14 hours to go the 500 miles. There was lots of construction sites on the way, too. I only did one long stop at Coldfoot. Eats and fuel. I took an extra gallon of gas so that was my only fuel stop. Fuel is also available at Yukon River. At the time no gas was availabe between Coldfoot and Deadhorse. I don't know if that has changed.

As soon as you get to Deadhorse go to the store/post office. They close at 9. get the lowdown on the area. Clerk told me where to stay for the best price. Artic Oilfield Hotel. Very few choices anyway. I did not take the oil field $37 bus tour.

I left the next day about 1 P.M. The rain had stopped sometime during the night(day). The trucks had the road well packed. I was running 80 and better in some

stretches. Any street bike could have traveled the Dalton that day. No dust

(which is a problem when it is dry) and very few flying rocks (another problem) when I met highballing trucks . I stopped and took pictures, did a little sight seeing, and visited 30 minutes or so with 2 gals (one English, one Australian) on a older GS and a German guy on an early model Wing. The trip back to North Wood took a little less than 12 hours.

Do a lot of research and talk to anyone who has gone. Buy a current issue of

The Milepost

If you want a full version of the Dalton trip let me know.

Sorry my post is so long, but it was a great trip.

Harvey

Just waiting for the dealer to call and tell me to come and get my '06.

Nice write-up... and WELCOME to the asylum!

You will love your FJR (even though it won't be as nice as an 04' :bleh: :bleh: ).

 

[bikerskier]

I lived in Anchorage for 5 years in the early '80s and my business regularly took me to Prudhoe, usually by air but several times by road. We called it the "haul road" then and I think most locals still do. I also made a number of business related trips to Prudhoe in the 90's. Deadhorse is the actual name of the community which consists of 90+ percent transient oilfield related workers, from high salaried management and engineers to highly paid support staff in the camps. Very few people have a permanent residence here, most rotate in and out. My road trips were not by choice. Summer guaranteed mostly rough, potholed and dusty trips, even on a trip a few years ago. Winter was always the best time to go since the potholes were full of ice, the road was much smoother and there was no dust, just some blowing snow. And cold, real cold!

Having seen the road many times and travelled from Barrow in the West to Kaktovik in the East many more times, I think my FJR will stay south of the Artic Circle.

Happy to answer any questions you may have, tho!

Good luck.

 

[Longrider]

Been over the Alcan to Alaska on three trips, but not on my FJR. The biggest potential problem on the Haul Road is wet weather and mud packing under the front fender. It can pack hard enough to bring the wheel to a stop. Make sure you have tools to take off the fender and scrap it out.

Bikes go first in construction zones. Follow one of the BIG dump trucks, they pack the soft dirt very well and are usually driven by young ladies.

Main advice is to allow lots of time and take it real careful in the wet and mud.

Longrider

 

[radman]

Might want to consider rad protection also.

Suggested anti-rad outerwear. Oh jeez, I'm gurglin agin............ :blink:

 

[thegunslinger]

HeberGuy from these boards made the trip to Deahorse on his 05 FJR last summer. He stayed at my house before and after. He can give you lowdown on wet weather, road construction, tire changing and wheel bending. :lol: His Avatar is a piccy of his FJR at Deadhorse.

 

[Kurt2004FJR]

when are you heading up to Alaska?

 

[Harvey55]

I posted my full story on "Other Bike Discussions." It is just about my ride from Fairbanks to Prudhoe. I never got around to typing up a story about the complete trip. If you do go to Alaska allow lots of time. With our group of 7 bikes and a Blazer with trailer driven bya wife with two kids getting started in the mornings took awhile. It was great to have the chase vechicle, though. Road construction also slows you down. From Calagary to Fairbanks was a 6 day ride.

Harvey

 

[Todd in LC]

when are you heading up to Alaska?

Looking at late June or early July. My riding partner just found out yesterday that his wife has Thyroid cancer. So, not sure if it's gonna happen this year.

 

[mr.dhart]

I purchase my 07 FJR with an Alaska trip in mind. I'm planning on hitting the road about mid July. I would love to hear what routes you have considered.