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!!