AK2 Status 04-23-14

38 days to go. Finally finished with all the upgrades I wanted to make to the bike. Here is the total list:

1. Replaced Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM - Yamaha in this case) skid plate with heavy duty AltRider plate

2. Installed AltRider Crash Bars (much more protection than OEM version)

3. Installed OEM hard-shell bags

4. Replaced OEM back luggage plate with bigger and more robust AltRider plate that includes storage under the plate

5. Replaced small OEM windshield with tall CalSci windshield (with quick disconnect knobs)

6. Installed OEM side wind deflectors

7. Installed metal screen headlight protector

8. Installed front fender mud guard extension

9. Installed gas tank side and top rubber protection

10. Installed 1 gallon auxiliary gas tank and locking mount (RotoPax) on top of back luggage plate

11. Installed ThrottleMaster lock

12. Installed Garmin Nuvi 665 GPS Quick Disconnect mount, power and external Antenna

13. Installed mount for SPOT Satellite tracker

14. Installed mount for Midland Citizen Band (CB) radio with power and remote push to talk

15. Installed mount for GoPro Hero2 camera

16. Installed cup holder (have to have my morning coffee)

17. Installed AltRider large side kick stand pad

18. Shipped new Heidenau K60 (semi-knobby) tires to friends in Tumwater, WA (will have them installed prior to ferry to Anchorage, AK)

I’ve put 2250 miles on the Yamaha Super Tenere XT1200Z since I got it 4 months ago. I’ve taken a couple of 400 to 600 mile trips and so far I’m very happy with the way it rides on the highway even with a load of bags on the back. Not as comfortable as my Harley Davidson Ultra Classic that I used on AK1 but pretty close. It sure is easier to handle at slower speeds where the HD is like riding a cantankerous old bull especially when it is loaded down.

Just to rehash my reasons for changing bikes; it was primarily due to what I learned on AK1. Although the great majority of the 8,000+ mile ride will be on paved roads, the 500 mile roundtrip ride up and beyond the Arctic Circle on the Dalton Highway (Ice Road Truckers Haul Rode) can be treacherous. Very likely that we will run into wet/muddy roads, loose/deep gravel and big trucks running at high speed. In addition, I’ve already seen what can happen on the Alaska Highway (ALCAN 1400 miles) with wash-outs and the temporary fixes they use to keep the traffic moving. I decided I wanted a bike made for those conditions rather than try to get the HD over miles of mud and gravel. I lucked out and bought a bike that does them both very well. I’ve ridden the Tenere on deep loose gravel at 50+ mph and it never feels like it will go down. Even rode through mud and water crossing. The HD would have been down for sure (with me riding it anyway). Jim will still be riding his HD Limited but he is a few years younger than I am and wouldn’t be caught riding anything but an HD. It will be interesting to see how the bikes compare after this trip.

I’ve completed an AK2 checklist of the items I plan on taking with me on the bike. It is much shorter than the AK1 list and I am still trimming it down. Heavy gear and tools will go in the side hard-shell bags. I will use several waterproof bags on the back passenger seat/luggage rack. These bags are made by Watershed and we use them on our rafting trips out West. I’ve proven they can be underwater for over an hour and not leak. My 400 mile trip two weeks ago to NW Arkansas let me find the best way to tie the bags on the back using quick release straps. I’ve got a friend that had a serious crash when a strap came loose and jammed in the rear wheel so I’m pretty paranoid about doing this right.

Still have to do some administrative tasks. I have to get a Canadian endorsement on my motorcycle insurance (they check at the border!). We are making some hotel reservations in Fairbanks because we will stage there until the weather is good for the run to the Arctic Circle. Make appointments at dealers in Olympia, WA to service bikes and install my new tires (Harley Davidson and Yamaha dealers).

More later.

AK2 Status 14 Apr 2014

 

47 days to go. Installed a few more items on the bike; AltRider rear rack, RotoPax 1 gallon fuel tank with locking mount and headlight protector. Have ordered front fender mud guard extender (due in any day). That should be the last items I will install prior to leaving. I’ve ordered new knobby tires (K60’s) to be shipped to my friends in Tumwater, WA where we will stay for two days prior to catching the ferry to AK. Both Jim and I will have our bikes serviced there and I will have the new tires mounted.

I had recently received a recall notice on the Yamaha Super Tenere for a faulty headlight harness that could cause a fire. After leaving the bike in the garage for several weeks while the Yamaha dealer ordered and received the part I finally was told to bring it to Searcy to be installed (dealer where I bought the bike). I also had enrolled in a raft swift water rescue (SWR) class that was being held on the Kings River in Northwest AR this past weekend. I combined the two events by taking vacation on Friday and riding to Searcy for the Yamaha fix then continuing on to the Kings River for the SWR class. We spent Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday morning either in class or up to our necks in cold water in the Kings River swimming in swift current, rescuing swimmers and flipping rafts. Forecast for Sunday afternoon was for up to 3 inches of rain in the NW AR area so I decided to return to Little Rock ahead of the storm. 420 miles round trip and I got to try out different techniques of loading the bike and securing the waterproof bags I will use on the AK2 trip.

Bike rode great even with several heavy bags tied to the rear rack. The wind was brutal with the coming storm but the Tenere cut through the gusts and didn’t get blown off line to much. It certainly will out run my Harley Davidson and acceleration is exceptional for passing slow cagers (motorcycle jargon for cars). I have been concerned about not having an electric cruise control (HD has it and it is great) but the Throttle Master lock I installed does a good job of letting me rest my right arm and hand so feel it will be acceptable.

I did determine that I must practice packing the bike because the side hard-shell bags are not accessible once I tie on the soft bags on the rack. Although I can get the soft bags off quickly it is still a pain. I need to have the items I will use regularly so I can get to them; i.e. windshield cleaner, different gloves, hat, sunscreen, maps, etc. I have a medium size tank bag I used on the past trip but it isn’t waterproof and fills up quickly. Have to work that one out.

Finally, I rode for 243 miles going up and 177 miles on the return trip. These are very light days compared to what we will do on the AK2 ride (400 to 700 miles a day and maybe go for the 1000 mile Iron Butt). My butt did get tired and my right hand would sometimes start to tingle (caused by pinched nerves from setting too long in same position) but I was able to get into several different positions that helped. My experience from AK1 was that it takes a few days to get in the long haul mode but when you do the miles start to melt away, especially where you have great scenic views.

I’m ready to get going!!