Arlington, WA to Alaska & D2D on an XR650L

Well I wasn't interested in Alaska until I spending the evening going through your RR. Wow. Maybe I'll have to reconsider.

Thanks for the great RR and awesome pics. My wife and I were up there from June 17th to July 9th 2011. We did the trip backward from you two. We took the ferry back from Haines to Prince Rupert.
If you like you can read my RR in the link below.
Here is my wife by the Road King. We are north bound in the Yukon.

We took the ferry to Juneau for 1 day. Here is the Mendenhall Glacier.

And here is another pic of the little island.

So let me get this straight, you had the trip of a lifetime at only 25, you had no major mechanical problems except for a few tire changes, you saw more wild animals on that trip than most people will ever see in their lifetime and that would even count if they went to a zoo, and the best part, your wife came along for some of the trip, enjoyed herself and of all the pictures I saw of her, she was smiling! I have only one question, can I have her and you can have mine, what do you think?!! Sounds to me like someone is already livin' the dream! Right on!

Awesome report! One day soon me and my daughter will get to experience an Alaska trip on bikes.

Good job, great pics. I didn't see where you had any bike problems, those BRP's just keep on going. In retrospect, do you regret not having rigged some saddlebags to lower the weight distro instead of carrying all that weight up high? And, did you carry bear spray? That mama grizz with cub would have turned me around quicker than it did you.

PS, many years ago I went to the EAA fly-in at Arlington, the best I've ever been to.

thanks... If I went again I wouldnt change a thing... I dont like hard bags on dirt bikes.. still not a problem with the xr... up to 37k mi. no bear spray .




great shots orbiker...

Great trip,ride report and pictures. Really enjoyed it,thanks for posting.

Great pictures! I hope one day I can find the time to get up to Alaska!

Great pictures!

I like you are travelling as a couple.

Good work!

Thanks! When my baby daughter gets a few years older I hope to do this trip again 3-up, thinking a Ural or something

Nice RR. I've been to AK twice but never D2D so am planning a trip there in 2013 on my Wee. Two quick questions though: one, did you use the 2m/70cm radio? I carried a 2m with me on one of my trips, never could find anyone on any of the repeaters, used it for weather only. And two: $1200 each for the ferry?? I took it from Skagway to Bellingham in 1994 and I know it has gone up but $1200? I just checked and found from Haines to Prince Rupert for $345 (counting my 65+ discount.) Think that's the way I'll come back.

PS, I was 50 when I made my first AK MC ride, just twice your age. I applaud you for doing it while you were young AND taking your wife along. Super photos too, I might have to invest in a digitial SLR!

Haines to Prince Rupert on the ferry was great for us last year. A few days off the bike was strange, but was enjoyed it. We get a state room, but the back of the ship under the solarium would have worked. There are lockers to put your stuff in and a bathroom with a shower.



My wife is talking to the captain of the ship on the bridge. We got a special tour.


Enjoy your trip. KEN

Thanks for this. Riding the bike you did is primitive, personal and well, just old school awesomeness. Riding a Beemer or farkled KTM would be nice, but out and about on the Honda is just priceless.

My bucket list is a solo ride there.

Huba huba!

Thanks.. I used the Yaesu for weather, otherwise I didn't bother to check any repeaters. The ferry was $1200 for the two of us, Bellingham to Haines. It was worth it to see all the great coastline.

Great report & pics. Never wanted to go to Alaska but after seeing your ride it may make the bucket list. Any pics with both of you and all the gear on the bike, it must have been cozy.

I need to get on the ball.
I have one foot in the grave, and the other on a banana peel.

Great trip report.
How are the tents anchored while set up on the ferry deck?

WoW that had to be some of the best pictures I have seen of Alaska. Can you advise on your camera set up?
Special Kudos to your wife for hanging for part of the ride. Very few ladies would have any part of that!