london to anchorage
 

Looks like I am going to be ablke to take a break from work as of July for around 6 months.
I want to spend around 4 month on my bike in North America

Was thinking of starting in Anchorage and working down through Yukon and BC into the rest of the US prior to shipping out of the East Coast.

Questions:

Are shipping costs to Anchorage prohibitive? would I be better off shipping to Vancover?

From reading the site it appears that I won't need a Carnet or International Driving permit - but would these smoooth the way at customs?

Bike question ? I'm on a modified 1200GS ( modified as I have one arm and leg) and its currently running on alloys and road tires. Would it be better to switch to spokes and off road tires - not really looking to spend much time off road - but am unsure of the state of the roads in the far north


Any hints apreciated

Cheers


Mac

Sounds like a good trip. I have ridden quite a bit on roads in alaska and northern canada on bikes with mags and even honda comstars. No problem with the wheels and I am sure BMW wheels are much stronger:-). I also have run street tires, you can ride on pavement from alaska to the states if you want...To bad you can't ship your bike to the shop where I work we have a freight company right next door. And a day ride away are yellowstone park and glacier park.

Try calling Lynden Transport 907-276-4800.

Many trucks leave Alaska to go back to the lower 48 empty. Sometimes you can get good deals on shipping things south.

A better idea would be to tour the Rockies hit Alaska then take the Alaska Marine Highway back to Bellingham WA from Haines Alaska. That would probably cost about $1000 with a bike. Do a search for the Alaska Marine Highway.

If you are in the UK then go to www.globebusters.com they are supposed to ship some Brits bikes over here in July or August to Anchorage to start a guided tour. They should be able to help you. On your bike, the wheels will be OK as long as you don't let your pressure down too much. I ran into a Brit on a Tiger on the Alaska Hwy 2 years ago and he was doing well with only one arm. I was impressed. If you are not planning on going to Prudoe Bay, the roads are great except for the contruction areas, but that is where ever you go anymore.

Have fun and Bien Viaje

Couple of things. We think shipping into USA is better than Canada, as there is definitely no carnet requirement in USA. When we have shipped direct to Canada before Customs asked us for one (and luckily we had one) - not sure what would have happened if we did not. Did hear from the BMW Vancouver dealer that one chap took best part of a week getting his bike from Customs without carnet.

Think about taking a RORO ferry from Southampton to Seattle (about £700). Contact Richard at Karman Shipping. www.karmanshipping.com. Alternatively look at www.motorcycleexpress.com for flights. Shipping / flying direct to Anchorage is more costly and if you have time and are going to keep your ride in North America, then Seattle could be viable alternative. You can then ride up through BC, Yukon, Alaska, taking Stewart Cassiar route and then head back south and east, using Alaska Highway.

[This message has been edited by GlobeBusters (edited 24 May 2005).]

[This message has been edited by GlobeBusters (edited 24 May 2005).]