Daytona 1200 suitable for Trans Canadian ?

[Big Dave UK]

Hi all,

I am new to HU and have currently got a thread running in the North American section of the HUBB with general questions about my intended trans candian (and maybe bit of alaska too) trip. I have posted here for specific queries about my bike. The bike i hope to use is my beloved black 1997 Triumph Daytona 1200, only 15,000 miles on the clock, just about to go in for service and durable touring tyre change and preperation for trip.

I dont have hard luggage but intended to use durable waterproof soft luggage for the trip that i am familar with, and will keep the weight down. The route i hope to follow is to begin in anchorage then via vancouver to finish in ottowa! I am a tarmac\pavement rider only (obvious i guess) I intend to fit heated grips, scottoiler and fender extender, is there anything else i should do to the bike to prepare for the journey? Also does anybody have any knowledge of sport a touring tyre that will give my rear tyre a life of more than 4000 miles preventing me from having to get a new tyre when in Canada?

Will taking a big heavy bike like mine hamper my ability to sight see on my quest from west to east? My original intention was to follow the path of the trans canadian highway, but I have been advised by those in the know that this isn't best for sight seeing (a bit like riding up the M1 expecting to know what the UK is like i suppose) so like i say will my big tona 12 be a liability if i stray off onto minor roads. I have toyed with the idea of changing to a tiger of similar vintage but i am attached to my Daytona and have that familiarity 'comfort' factor with my bike having already used it for touring in the UK and a bit of neighbouring europe.

I intend to probably do an oil change at some point on the road, but what would be a good package of spares or tools to take should i need to performany roadside or campsite repairs? Are Hinkley trumpet spares an issue in Canada?

Thankyou for taking the trouble to read this. I appreciate that those of you who are longer served members of this site may have seen such a query before but any feedback or help or emails would be genuinely appreciated, remember what it was like when you planned your first big foreign trip.

[Dodger]

Hi, If you have travelled extensively in Europe on that bike ,then you'll be fine over here .It might be a good idea to fit some higher bars [ the roads are much straighter and longer ] Tyres are relatively cheap in Canada so I wouldn't worry too much about them but a tread pattern like the Avon Distanzia might be a good idea .Triumph dealers are few and far between and only in the major cities ,but parts can be shipped easily to wherever you happen to be ,I don't know whether the Daytona 1200 was imported into Canada so model specific parts might be hard to get .
You could email dealers before you cross the pond to find out what stock they carry .
You'll find that your bike won't feel so big and heavy compared to the big full dress tourers that some people call bikes .
Side roads [paved -or tarmac!] will be a doddle ,higher bars will help on gravel sections too .
There are oil change franchises everywhere but I should bring your own filter and shop for oil at a Canadiantire store .
If you need bike clothing ,it will be cheaper here as well .
All the best for a great trip .

Dodger

[Riq]

Dave,

I think your bike will be great for your trip. I ride a Trophy 1200 that probably has a few pounds on yours and have yet to have a problem. lucky for me my wife has a strong back for the one occasion when I dropped it in a parking lot.

Parts for my bike if not on hand can be had in a couple of days.

I fear you think that you are coming to an barren empty land. While we do have some spots of that we also have a fairly well established civilization that should be able to meet all of your motorcycle needs. Even oil filter will be available at the triumph dealers.

Fear not. We will neither let the bears eat you or force you to burn your tires on the shoulder of the road to keep warm.

Rick

[Big Dave UK]

Cheers for your replies guys, I am already kitted out for suitable bike clothing (used to lots of rain in the UK) but i will look into the higher bars idea, and also possibly a touring screen from UK company sprint manufacturing to ease the neck strain.

I wasn't under the impression that Cananda is a barren wasteland but thanks for the reassurance about the bears, i will leave the shotgun at home then Always a shock for UK riders when visiting Northern America as the distances are so vast.

Cheers, Dave.

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