2 up to Alaska on a wee, who has done it?

[sect8dr]

I am starting to think of a trip to take next summer and a friend of mine and inmate on here mentioned doing an Alaska trip. I am all for it and i am even planning on trading my "last" streetbike for a very low milage like new DL650 next week. Just looking for pointers from anyone who has done a trip up north on one. It will have the factory Suzuki side bags and i am looking into the biggest top box that happy trails sells (58L i think). Just wondering if this setup would take us on a three week trip 2 up the whole way. Anything in particular to watch or service on this bike? I figure it will be a solid 9-10,000 mile trip. What would be the best tire to use on the way up and back? Should i use a knobby once i get to Alaska? I am still sifting through ride reports and the Vstrom index but any help would be great.

[pluric]

Well, single up on a V. Enough shit on it to count for a passenger.

As I recall I ran tourances with no need for more tread. Did a fair amount of off
pavement.
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196720

[No False Enthusiasm]

Visit with jglow... here's his excellent report: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=668295

Two on a Wee from Texas to Alaska and back.

NFE

[Jamie Z]

FWIW the first generation factory cases on the DL aren't rated very highly among owners.

I've only known two people to have them, and both of them bought something different within a year. They work, but there are better, cheaper options.

You mentioned the bike being used, so I suspect it already has the cases. If they're in good shape, you can remove them and sell them for decent money and buy better stuff.

Jamie

[sect8dr]

Originally Posted by Jamie Z

FWIW the first generation factory cases on the DL aren't rated very highly among owners.

I've only known two people to have them, and both of them bought something different within a year. They work, but there are better, cheaper options.

You mentioned the bike being used, so I suspect it already has the cases. If they're in good shape, you can remove them and sell them for decent money and buy better stuff.

Jamie

It is a 2011 with about 1500 miles on it. The side cases are on there as well as a top box. Still not sure if i would like to keep the plastic boxes on it, just for the fear of dropping it and busting one wide open. I will look more closely at luggage options after i get the bike

[vtwin]

Contact Sandiegoland, he went in '07 about the same time I did.

[sect8dr]

picked up a new 2011 strom on tuesday. No luggage at all so i am going to order everything from happy trails. I have a long list of stuff i am going to bolt onto this bike before the trip and as always i would love some tips from anyone who has done this kind of trip with this bike. Let me know what works.

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by sect8dr

picked up a new 2011 strom on tuesday. No luggage at all so i am going to order everything from happy trails. I have a long list of stuff i am going to bolt onto this bike before the trip and as always i would love some tips from anyone who has done this kind of trip with this bike. Let me know what works.

Congrats, the wee will do just fine 2 up to AK.

You may have to snap down a gear or two for a quick pass, but the bike is definitely up to the task.

I haven't done this trip via moto, but I have to say, "Don't miss the Bugaboos."

[Baron650]

Congrats on the new bike!
Maybe consider Pelican or Seahorse for cases. If the aluminum ones don't leak before the drop, they sure will after.
This is my buddy's Alaska thread from this summer-
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=816164
He was on the 1000, but the wee is just as big.
Happy planning!!

[cbxtc6]

I rode to AK and back with a friend who rode his wee up there in '08. Solo, with luggage, his rear shock blew on the Alcan (frost heave). You may want to consider upgrading the shock, especially 2-up w/luggage.

[eemsreno]

Sorry but I am not a big fan of riding a Wee to Alaska, There are a lot better bikes built just for that.

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by eemsreno

Sorry but I am not a big fan of riding a Wee to Alaska, There are a lot better bikes built just for that.

Please enlighten us, which bike is built specifically for "riding to Alaska?" Perhaps he doesn't want to pay $16,000 for a 600 pound behemoth.

[eemsreno]

A Wee is a fake adventure bike ,,,,,,, It's a Street bike, Track bike, commuter bike,
Outright dangerous on gravel.
If there ever was a study made on how many guys have been hurt or killed trying to ride V Stroms to Alaska the Canadian government would probable make them turn around at the boarder.

[swimmer]

Originally Posted by eemsreno

A Wee is a fake adventure bike , Street bike, Track bike, commuter bike,
Outright dangerous on gravel.
If there ever was a study made on how many guys have been hurt or killed trying to ride V Stroms to Alaska the Canadian government would probable make them turn around at the boarder.

Wow, I didn't know one post could contain so much bullshit.

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by eemsreno

A Wee is a fake adventure bike , Street bike, Track bike, commuter bike,
Outright dangerous on gravel.
If there ever was a study made on how many guys have been hurt or killed trying to ride V Stroms to Alaska the Canadian government would probable make them turn around at the boarder.

Originally Posted by eemsreno

I'm not trying to start anything here, I have a Wee that I ride to work everyday. Might be the best commuter bike ever, Just last year when we were on the Alaska trip I know of 4 V Strom riders crashed bad enough that 3 had to be flowen out and one was dead on the Dempster. Think what you want. I have a 990R KTM [son's] and a Tenere and the Wee that I can ride any time and there is so much differance that the Wee should not even be mentioned in the same paragraph. Do what you want to.

In your first post you state that the vStrom is a "fake adventure bike , Street bike, Track bike, commuter bike." In your next post, you say it's one of the best commuter bikes ever. Is this due to poor English skills, hyperbole, trolling or BPD?

Anybody that cannot ride a vStrom down a 2wd gravel road has some serious technique problems, this trip (Al-Can to Prudhoe Bay) has been made on Goldwings/scooters/cruisers for heavens sake! Do consider any other ADV marketed bikes to be literal death traps on 2wd gravel roads or do you simply hate your vStrom?

Also, to what do attribute this insta-deathtrap type handling? Geometry, suspension clearance, balance?

If you had hoped to make the point that the vStrom was not nearly as good on gravel as other bikes you've ridden, you might consider not spewing such outlandish bullshit!