Since last status report I’ve ordered an AltRider heavy
aluminum back luggage rack which will replace the plastic OEM rack. This gives
a much stronger base for securing my baggage plus this is where I will mount my
spare gasoline jug. Speaking of which I have also ordered a 1 Gallon gasoline
RotoPax and locking mount. They are both due in on 1 Apr. The RotoPax system is
the premier way to mount spare gasoline onto motorcycles, ATVs, etc. I will
only carry gasoline in the bottle while in Alaska and on the ALCAN back to
British Columbia. I don’t feel comfortable with a plastic jug of gasoline
strapped to the back of my bike while doing 70+ mph on the interslab even
though the advertisement shows a car driving over the jug with no problem. One of the rack picture shows the OEM plastic rack on top of the AltRider rack.
I recently sold my Harley Davidson to my son and this
included some of the gear I had expected to take on the trip. Primarily the
light weight rain suit I used last trip. I usually ride in full gear which
includes FirstGear armored jacket and pants; both of which double as heavy
weight rain protection. This works great up North and in the mountains but
crossing the mid-west in June is hot and I will have to get a light weight suit
before I leave. It must pack up small since space is always a consideration.
Another area of focus is the helmet to take on the trip.
During AK1 I used a ¾ open faced helmet with drop down clear shield with an
integral CB headset and mic. I would use a neoprene face cover in the cold
areas. I have at least 10 helmets including small summer half helmets and a
full coverage modular version. I like the modular helmet during the winter but
it will be way too hot during the run across the prairie. In addition it
restricts my peripheral vision while in heavy city traffic. The half helmet
doesn’t provide enough protection or warmth. The main reason I like the ¾
helmet is it does not fog up in high humidity or rain. I could spring for
around $500+ for a Shoei modular helmet that is not supposed to fog but I still
don’t like the vision restriction of the full helmet. My only issue with the ¾
is the wind noise. I have already mounted my CB headset in the ¾ helmet I used
last trip but will probably not be totally decided on which helmet to use until
the day I leave.
This month I will start to do practice loading to determine
what I will take and what I will leave behind. My Tenere has tubeless tires so
I have a tubeless tire repair kit and a manual foot pump. I hate taking the bulky
foot pump and they make light weight battery powered air pumps but I want to be
free of having to depend on battery power if possible. I still need to get tire
irons just in case I have to take off a tire and put on an internal patch or
even install a tube (which I will also take). This all may seem to be overkill
but there are several good forums on the internet talking about what to take on
adventure bike trips to Alaska. Help can be a long way off and very expensive.
Flats are all too common on the gravel roads and better to be prepared to fix a
flat than wait for hours or days for a tow truck at $1500 minimum charge.
I still have
a few more items to get for the bike then hope I’m done:
1 Headlight Lens protector – either
clear plastic or metal mesh
2 Front fender mud guard – to keep
Dalton Hwy mud off front of engine and headers
3 Front fork guards – to keep Dalton
Hwy mud off front fork and protect seals
4 K-60 front and rear tires – to be
mounted in Seattle WA prior to ferry to AK
That’s it
for now, 64 days and counting!
