Wow...awsome idea. We will for sure keep in touch for the strategery as we get closer. Company, if only for the ride back to the east coast. I know we will all get along infamously!!!!!! I get a good vibe from this place.

RK - Your bike looks like a new one in that pic.



You never want either of them completely broke in and you want them both a little dirty.

I have read ad's on some HD's for sale and one of thier selling points is "never seen the rain". Really? wow, how does one do that? I suppose if you lived in a desert. I think the dirty bike pic is cool... whomever that person is in lenny's post, he is dedicated. He ain't worried about getting wet, hot, or dirty. He's just riding. That's what it's all about... at least in my little world.

The idea sounds cool. It's difficult to predict that far into the future for me. I think your RK will make it anywhere. The new technology is modern, but the older tech like your RK is proven and I think would take you anywhere a modern RK will take you. You take good care of your bike, I would trust it to go anywhere.

BI: What is your final destination in Alaska?

THANKS!!

She's a pretty girl alright - She might look new from a far - BUT - She's far from new...

I feel the same - many have taken older bikes farther. She's a good old girl.

Kickstand you have a good point there!

I guarantee you both would change your minds about old and needing to be reliable if you found yourself and your sig other thousands of miles from home and in the middle of no where. Or at the very least what can you switchout and upgrade prior to leaving.

Albeit I rode a 9 year old bike to San Diego and back no problem. However I went thru it like a muther biotch. Up graded stator,upgraded cam tensioner,new battery,all new cables,new rubber and anything else I could think of to replace. Change out all fluids and filters. Front end seal relacements. Also having bought the bike used it only had 10,000 miles on it (was in 2 serious wrecks though prior to my purchase of it). The upgrades served me fairly well in many more long multi day/week rides. I did however start having issues with the increase in the ethanol in most gas stations and needed to always at every fill up hit it with a splash of star tron.

Anticipating my ride in 2014 I struggled with either go with the old,reliable and faithfull or new. Looking at the especially long and barren stretch from Dawson Creek,BC to Tok,AK, key words being long and barren I reluctantly went with new. I miss my sidecar bike, I'm not gonna lie. The 2001 Purple Ultra was dialed in but that Magnelli Morelli EFI is suspect to this day.

I guess the consulation of the afore mentioned trade is that once past the low speed front end wobble I love my 2012 more then any bike I ever owned. Its the color I always wanted. I can never say enough of the value of a 6 gallon gas tank. And factory oil cooler? Wow. Its yet to be proven/tested and I only have under 10,000 miles on it so we'll see.

No dispute - If I had your money, not only would I burn mine but I'd be riding brand new too.
But- I have only what I have and that's just going to have to do it.

I have faith in my equipment - my abilities - my tools - and the good man above. Factoring in Mr. Murphy that all means squat!!

I can stay home and safe - or - ride and take those chances. Even brand new ships sink.

Yepper..you buy your ticket and take your chances. Sometimes your the windshield some days you're the fly.

I say that because as riders we all know the risk. And there is never one time or one day when I start my day on my bike whether to work or whether out and about for weeks that the paranoia of the day ahead does not bear down on me at least initially. And what a relief and joy at the end of said day to have survived yet another enjoyable ride.

So very true!!

I had one friend that bought a sporty rode it twice and then wanted to sell it.
I asked him why? - His answer: he was so scared that something was going to happen he couldn't relax and enjoy it. In his words " I fell like a fighter pilot going off to fight the enemy ace - out gunned and out matched - its not if I get killed - but when." I offered to take him out and get him some practice sessions... the bike was sold a week later.

He did however ask for me to take him on my bike - he trusted me?!? What??? I was younger than him and only had my bike less than a year at that time. I did take on a couple rides so he could at least get acclimated to the sensations of being on the bike but he never did muster the confidence to ride again on his own.

I get that same sense of mortality each time I put on my boots before a ride - Is this the last time I suit up?... I think we all have that moment - in the quiet time when the mind wanders - over coming it and not letting fear dictate our actions. I/you have many years of successful rides under our belts but it is that knot that keeps the rope of focus tight and that focus is what keeps us safe.

I have had a reoccurring night mare (many years) - seeing myself under a big rig on the freeway I travel to get home from most of my rides. I do take extra precautions on that stretch especially when the big trucks are around. I also know that the future changes with ever action we make, I try to make the right decisions. I always tell myself that I'm going to be an old man with many tales of bravery and adventure - you can't do that sitting huddled in fear on the sofa. I ride - to free myself of those fears and make the reflection in the mirror someone I admire. He may be getting old and wrinkled - but he is someone I will always be proud of. Practice and experience is what keeps me safe - even with the knowledge that this is a very dangerous activity. I will always do my best to get home safely - but sometimes - like you said, we might just be the fly that day. Ride safe my friends - tomorrow is never guaranteed.