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Which bike for alaska/tdf??? Which bike for alaska/tdf???
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 7 Dec 2007
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Which bike for alaska/tdf???
For more than a year I was looking for the perfect bike for my trip from alaska to tierra del fuego.
Because the idea is go for the speed record, I want to travel very light and after some research that are my selected bikes:

.- Triumph tiger (good price, reliable but not too much dealer down there)
.- KTM 990 adventure (looks like previous problems are fixed, very light weight)
.- BMW k1200GS (a classic but too expensive!)
.- Suzuki DL1000 Vstrom (I have now a 650, very reliable, easy to repair on road, a lot of dealer down there and cheap)

Thanks you in advance!
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  #2  
Old 7 Dec 2007
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What speed record AND why the hell is there a speed record?

ANd how the hell will you deal with Compton traffic on the Ventura freeway with a GS? Ever tried? Ha!

Not trying to piss on your corn flakes/oatmeal Garrobito...
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  #3  
Old 7 Dec 2007
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1) Record actually is a little more than 27 days. You can check here 34 for 40 - Benefitting the Pat Tillman Foundation.
2) I don't have idea even where is ventura highway.. LA area maybe?
Anyway GS is a little pricey for me... almost discart... any other idea/
Best regard and again thank you in advance!
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  #4  
Old 8 Dec 2007
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#1 They no longer recognize these events
#2 Dick Fish bested the "effort" set by the "34 for 40" less than 2 weeks after the 27 day benchmark was set. Dick Fish pulled it off in 21 days, 2 hours. 14,400 miles.

14,000+ miles, at least 12 border crossings, shipping bike & yourself from Panama to Columbia, requisite maintenance, a ferry crossing, etc are some of the items you'll need to contend with. And contend with quickly.

Sit down and crunch the time numbers. When you realize the impossible pace Dick Fish pulled off, you'll consider an easier task.....such as World Peace.

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  #5  
Old 8 Dec 2007
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..I already did.. for more than a year.. Actually.. I think I can do in less than 20 days if my logistic and route is the right one..
I know a big part of that route.. specially between colombia and argentina... I don't think is easy... but is a challenge.. why you want to do?? because is there...
Thanks you for your input, see you in the road
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  #6  
Old 8 Dec 2007
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dam thats fast
Well if you need the speed the KTM looks good to me or get a DL 1000 and change out then mill for a SV 1000 there about the same but the SV will be faster.

Then agen running supper light you may well be able to use gust a street bike. Change out the springs, rear shock, some on/off rode rubber and a cange of clothing (dam little else) in a small form fitting backpack. Tuck down so you dont get to tired.

Dont stop long for food or gas and stay on it. Bribe your past police all the way down and across borders. You are still looking at 720 miles a day. At 45mph thats 16 Hr. a day all day. Add 1 hr. for food a day + 2 gas stops 30 min. or so. About 18 Hr. a day. Its doable... but dam
Better have it all set up like your flight over to colombia. Bike parts and tiers at shops.
Traffic in the USA will be the lest of the problims (I5 down to Mexico is doable in a day). Fatigue and running your bike that long will be the problim.

To get ready try a iron butt first IBA - World's Toughest Motorcycle Riders
and help is here
IBA - World's Toughest Motorcycle Riders.

have fun on the trip. (no dont have fun it will eat up to much time)
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  #7  
Old 8 Dec 2007
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..Actually I have a 1500 double saddle sore and one 50 cc challenge done from IBA.
But your're damm right.. I need speed.. down therem, in mexico for exemple, have part whit really good for speed.. again.. speed.. for days.. plus your own tired.. bad combination..
A ktm supermoto? a bandit 1250 whit different suspension?? I don't know yet...
The worst part is alaska.. almost 1500 miles in mud, gravel, maybe ice and rain.. no good scenario for speed.
If I take a ktm adventure I need 19" tires whit good rubber. Later, change at 17" like the good dunlop scorpion ex... ufff...
Yesterday night I was thinking for broke the record in less than 20 days you need constant assistance on road...
I don't think is impossible, but I think is hard... and alone... more harder yet..
In the other hand.. you pass very fast incredible places than maybe you don't have opportunity to back in your life.
My girlfriend told me better go slow, maybe take one month (that is pretty fast) but visit some good places in central america..)
Let's keep thinking...
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  #8  
Old 13 Jan 2008
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my bike for that trip is a klr 650
they ae cheap as chips in the usa ,like less than $5000 new ,mine was $1700 and it is going strong with a 100,000 km on the clock ,reliable ,low maintianence ,blah blah blah
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  #9  
Old 4 Jul 2008
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Alaska to Ushuaia
Just saw the post. I am the guy that made the trip in 27 days. Starting to ponder my next ride. Would love to talk to you about your attempt. 21 days can be broken. Believe it or not, it isn't about riding or speed - it is all about logistics.

Drop me an email. dave@34for40.org

Dave
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  #10  
Old 4 Jul 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garrobito View Post
..
The worst part is alaska.. almost 1500 miles in mud, gravel, maybe ice and rain.. no good scenario for speed.
I don't really have any substantial opinions on any of this....except that if you're planning for "1500 miles in mud, gravel" in Alaska you need to check your sources of information.

Good luck and safe journeys!

Mark
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