Off to Alaska this summer, thoughts on planning?

[VRodPete]

For those of you that read my introductory thread, I'm new to the K1200LT community, just having purchased a 2001 model this week.

The reason for the purchase was that a friend of mine and I have been planning a trip to Alaska which will be taking place this summer. OBVIOUSLY, the K1200LT was the perfect platform for this advanture.

At the suggestion of another forum member, I'm starting this thread to get your input on things that should be:

* Considered (i.e. optional skidplates??? etc.)
* Taken along (repair kits, supplies, tires?)
* Staged (parts, tires?)
* Planned for (final drive kit?)

The current (and ever changing) plan is to trailer (SHIELDS UP, MR. SULU) from PA to Chicago, where we have a convenient place to leave a car/trailer and leave from there up to AK and back. A total of around 8500 miles based on the current plan. Before I get bashed too much for trailering, the thought process here was that the drive from PA to IL is about as boring as there is anywhere, and we just want to book it out to get past the wandering hoardes and on our way. Of course if the weather's nice and we're so inclined, it's likely that at least one of our bikes will be off-trailer some of the time.

Roads going to Alaska and within Alaska can be pretty rough on vehicles. Think school bus sized pot-holes, pavement ends without warning, washboard gravel, large rocks - you name it it's probably there. Average speeds are definitely not interstate, and we're looking at averaging somewhere around 300-375 miles per day. It's going to be a rain/snow/wind/shine event every day, and we can't afford many days of downtime. Also, there are many places where premium fuel is just plain not available, so suggestions on whether to "run what they got" to "carry your own go-juice enhancer" are appreciated as well.

We're thinking right now that we'd have one well stocked tool kit with us, along with a tire repair kit. We will start with fresh rubber, and carry one set of tires (probably what came off to get fresh rubber) along with us as emergency spares. We have also considered lining up a oil/filter and possibly a tire change in Fairbanks or Anchorage (both have BMW dealers I believe). A set of shift linkage parts is on our list, and another member has suggested having a final drive kit available with someone who can ship it out if needed.

So the real question is, what have we not considered, and what might be overkill?

Thank in advance

VRP

[mwnahas]

I would ride the LT to Alaska then rent a GSA to explore Alaska. :D

[hwread]

The roads that are PAVED aren't as bad as you picture them. They ARE much worse than the roads in the lower 48. Don't go up the Haul Road, or the Dempster.
Other advise: Get a copy of the "Milepost", use it each night to get a reservation for the Next night, and to learn about what to see and expect the next day. Your daily miles figure is ambitios but do-able. Have a great ride.

[dougholck]

OBVIOUSLY[/COLOR], the K1200LT was the perfect platform for this adventure.
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Wrong bike for Alaska. Lots of road repair due to frost heaving equals lots of loose sand/gravel and if wet very slippery. Many have made it on RT's, LT's and GW's but the GS is "THE" Alaska adventure bike and thats why I bought one for my 07 trip and going again this May.
Find some gravel roads and pratice to see if you can do it. The LT just does not give good feedback thru the handlebars when on loose surfaces and next thing you know its headed the wrong way and hard to correct. That said I have ridden in snow (crashed), sand thru the Monument Valley loop (crashed), hard packed gravel (so far so good) but not much muddy/sandy/gravel like you'll find in Alaska. Be prepared and learn how to pick the LT up after it takes a tumble.
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A total of around 8500 miles based on the current plan.
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Start with new rubber and you should be good for the entire trip.
I would not carry tires, but they are expensive up there and shipping can be slow thru Canada, so if you are worried, ship ahead by 45 days. Carry spare FD or parts. ____________________________________________________


Roads going to Alaska and within Alaska can be pretty rough on vehicles. Think school bus sized pot-holes, pavement ends without warning, washboard gravel, large rocks - you name it it's probably there. Average speeds are definitely not interstate, and we're looking at averaging somewhere around 300-375 miles per day.

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Lots to stop and see, we did 9500 miles in 28 days for a 330 miles/day average but there were a couple 500+ mile days.
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Get as many pratice miles as you can on bad roads in bad weather before departing and hope for good weather.

No matter what happens its worth the effort, but the best is off the pavement and TKC nobbies on a GS is perfect.

[GBarnes]

Pete,
Welcome to the list!

I've been to Alaska twice; one time all the way to Deadhorse, (the Dalton), the other to Homer, both ridden from the lower 48 and both times on the Iron Butt Rally, (when making good time was critical). The roads are not as bad as most people here have indicated. Yes, there will be construction zones that can be a challenge, (gravel, etc), but I've encountered those in almost every lower 48 state. Also, the weather up there, in the summer, is not necessarily any worse than it can be down here, (I've ridden through some of the worst rain in my life in Pennsalvania and Florida).

Unless you have some sort of unusual damage, doing the entire 8,500 miles on a set of tires is certainly possible. Even if you have excessive wear, it isn't going to show up until you are on your way back, when you will be in Canada or the upper US states, all of which have cities with bike shops, (you don't need BMW specific shops, but it does help).

Having a spare rear drive "somewwhere where it can be shipped to you" already exists; they're called dealers. Sure, if yours goes out on a weekend, you mave to wait for it till Wednesday, but those are the kind of adventures that make life worth living. If you have it stashed at a friends, chances are he will have to wait till Monday to ship it, and many dealers are open on Mondays now.

Relax and have a good trip!

GB

[mljmd7]

Alaska = GS or GSA.

[jims22]

I was 68 when I rode my '99 RT to Alaska by myself in 2006. I took Highway 37 instead of the Alaska Highway because of the rider journals I had read and the fact that most people enjoyed that route the best. In '06 the highway was all paved except appox. 10%, no problem at all.Stewart - Hyder is a must stop. I took Highway 2 north from Whitehorse, through Dawson and Chicken, don't miss it. In Fairbanks I met a man from Ottawa on a Goldwing, and he invited me to ride to the Arctic Circle with him. It was up and back in one day, just like a ride in the park.

Don't get caught up with taking extra tires and stuff, keep the load light as possible. I now have an '03 LT and would ride it up there in a NY Minute. I saw about every type of bike in Alaska, so ride what you have and have a safe trip.

[VRodPete]

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback. I'm glad there are a few here that have actually done this, that perspective helps a lot.


A few notes:

I already have the MILEPOST, so we're good to go for trip planning.

I'm glad to hear that a set of tires will last 8500 miles. When I visited a BMW dealer earlier this year looking at new LTs, the salesperson indicated that tires last closer to 6K miles. I guess I should have known better listening to a salesperson.

Good to hear that the roads aren't as bad as I pictured - that did have me a little concerned. Also we are planning an arctic circle run (day trip out and back) as well, so we will be seeing some gravel. We are also planning on running out to Homer and also to see Dalton and Chicken - glad to hear that these are recommended things.

If you come across any other things that are good to know, please pass them along.

Pete

[rcalli]

I rode up there in 06 and 08. Did around 11,500 the first time, and a little less the second. Started each trip with new tires, and had no problem. I changed my oil in a rest area the first trip. Just left the filter in place. On the second trip I did not change the oil at all. I am using Mobile 1, synthetic, and the oil was fine for the 11,000 second trip. I know some will disagree with this, but I don't think it hurt anything at all. I've been using this stuff for the last 150,00 miles or so. Dawson City is cool, as is the top of the world highway. I could manage around 30 MPH on it. The worst roads last year were on the Alaska hwy. from the border back south for the first couple of hundred miles. They were really BAD. Lots of deep loose gravel, really tough going. Have fun.