Cheryl & Leslie's Triumph Tiger 800XC ADV to Alaska

Roger that and I am not trying to muck up the thread with useless stuff! Ride safe and I'm looking forward to the next installment. Back to reading more and posting less!

I was also going to ride the Dempster last week, but made the decision based on the weather reports to not do so. I had gone all the way to Prudhoe Bay on Dalton, mostely in bad weather, and between the wet roads due to rain and the soft wet road due to areas of construction it was really tough, lots of rain, some snow, and dense fog in Atigun pass and up towards Deadhorse. I spent many hours at 20 MPH on the Dalton where I just could not see let alone find the best line to avoid the deeper gravel & potholes.

I am guessing that the Dempster is about the same when the weather & the construction crews are not being your friend

Back at the dorms I chatted with a rider with broken ribs & a totaled bike from a crash on the Dalton. At Adventure Cycleworks I saw a bike that had gone over a sizable bank on the Dalton. The rider was doing well but flew home. The bike had to be trucked back to Fairbanks.

These roads are worth our respect and not to be ridden on lightly especially when the weather is wet. I honor you guys for having the courage to draw the line for your own safety and enjoyment when it feels right to do so.

Ladies, Loving the report! I especially love the Dawson City part. It always seems that you meet such interesting people in off the beaten path places and ADV riding takes us. Keep up the great work and i am so jealous.... I would love to take a month off work and just ride. Take care and be safe.

Yay that your mechanical issue is cured! I forgot to mention in my post last night that I had asked at The Motorcycle Shop in Anchorage (had to go there anyway for something) if they might have any ideas as to what the issue could be. They basically scratched their heads and said they'd really need to have a look at the bikes; they've had no reported problems from others about the bike. Anyway good to hear it's a non issue now.


Kathy

Boy, i like that. I think ill get them.

Did you have to install them, or did Triumph just toss them in with the bikes?

I went to the website. Its an incredibly easy install. You do not have to remove the wheel. Its a simple wrap system.

I'm not blaming anyone either but... it's pretty easy to get the alignment correct so someone either didn't know what they were doing or was very sloppy with their work.
Of course both of you know how to adjust your bike's chains yourselves, right? I'd think with the amount or riding and mileage you're putting on these bikes you'd be adjusting them at least every week if not sooner.
At least the mystery's solved and it's something that should not happen again now that you know what to look for.

Happy Trails,
dc

Good luck with the Dempster!

Will post an update another night but let me tell you this...a rider lost his life yesterday on the Dempster. Today we rode in piss pouring rain from about 40 KM outside Eagle Plains and skated all the way down. This road is so beautiful in the nice weather but it is the most technically challenged riding we have ever done for almost 350 KM. We made it, no dumps and in one piece. Would I do it again..? Maybe not. Was it worth it? Yes.....but seriously this is not a road to screw around with in the rain.

Soph, the large piles of gravel just outside Dawson City are from the old dredging days when they were looking for GOLD! They would get this stone out of the rivers.

Funny I was just told that...and they are making sub-divisions in and around them. Thanks for the info.

No install just wrap them around your forks....they are amazing and take them off, rinse them and put them back on. Just like that. Simple, cheap and piece of mind. They look good too, that is always a plus!

I just ordered a set for mine.

you should let them know you learned about them from our ride....just saying

Great RR and your pictures are spectacular!

Sad to hear someone lost their life on the Dempster. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
I am glad you guys made it through without issue.<o></o>
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On a lighter note:<o></o>
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If you were in the market for a new 800cc adventure bike and didn't already own the BMW. Which would you buy now?<o></o>
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Triumph or BMW?????????????????????????<o></o>
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I am really on the fence on which bike to get and since you seem to be in a very good position to evaluate both bikes your opinion would be greatly appreciated.<o></o>
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Bet you didn't think you were going to be a motorcycle critic when you started this adventure.<o></o>
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Best regards and safe travels.<o></o>
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Tug<o></o>
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No basis for comparison. Our ladies were on F650GS thumpers on their last adventure.

??? They were not on thumpers last year.

Excuse me Sir, you are correct.