Feul Alaska Highway
 

Planning a trip up north this summer/fall. Just wonder about fuel once past Fort Nelson BC. Should one be considering taking extra fuel? Any help or info about the alaska highway around the BC Yukon boarder would be great thanks

The only concern for fuel would be if you´re going to Deadhorse.
Coming back down the Cassiar, if you´re doing that route, fill before so that your next stop is Deese Lake, which has all basic facilities.

Fuel
 

In the summer they have fuel about every 50/60 mikes, so will be no problem!
Only problem is count on the stations opening at 8.00Am and closing at 9 00Pm
And I mean 9.00, we pulled into a station at 9.03 and the woman running the place was having the driver of a rider truck sign the credit card, as she walked past us she said "hope you have enough gas for the next station". We said "no"
She kept walking and shut all the lights off as we sat there. This was in the Yukon and the only problem we had on four trips up there.
Norm

Yukon/BC border
 

Don't miss the Liard hot springs. The other long distances between gas is on the campbell highway that takes off at watson lake. 230 miles to ross river and well worth the ride. Also if you go up the dempster to Inuvik there is another 230 mile stretch between gas. The problem with the stations closing so soon in the evening is that it doesn't get dark in june and some of the best ridding is when the motorhomes and slow tourists park at 6PM. You probably already have a copy of milepost if not check it out.

No problem finding fuel from Dawson Creek to the Alaska border. Consider filling up each time you see a station. Our ride has a 20 ltr tank, and never came close to running out of gas.

Pick up a copy of The Milepost. Wonderful resource, and notes service stations along the way.

Road surface to Inuvik.
 

I understand that the Dempster (500 miles?) is gravel. Is it bad enough that 1000 miles round trip will likely eat up tires. I'm a little concerned about changing flats in the middle of nowhere on an 800 lb. bike. Haven't figured out the petrol problem either.

Tires and gas
 

Yes the dempster is gravel. The main problem is if it rains and turns to slippery mud and if you want to go really fast when it is dry. The mud is normaly a matter of waiting a day or two. The speed problem is controllable by the throttle hand. Just because your bike will go 85mph on the gravel doesn't mean you need to go that fast. The tire wear problems I have had get much worse over 55mph. I first rode the Dempster in 1979 when they used to use sharp shale to surface portions of the road. I have rode it several times since and made the 25th anniversary in 2004. As far as fixing flats it is the same as a flat tire on any other lonely road, learn how before you leave home and chances are you won't have a problem. The gas scarcity is solved by strapping on a extra gas can if you don't have the range to go 230 miles. The service station at eagle plains had a row of gas cans left there by travelers. The Dempster is still one of the great rides in north america.