Dempster highway

[anic]

I am planning a trip next summer from victoria to Inuvik along the legendary Dempster highway. If some of you have done it, please give me some advise.

[yardsale]

Anic,

I just did the Dempster in late June. Some of the most amazing scenery I've ever laid my eyes on and worth the effort to get there. The first 550 km to Fort McPherson was easy riding but the last 200 km to Inuvik was a white knuckle ride due to the loose gravel formed into ruts from the larger vehicles. You just have to get used to the fact that the bike will want to do a constant front-back wobble that whole last section. They use a chemical on the road to keep the dust down which works great when it's dry but when the road gets wet it turns into a soupy mess that can be a challenge. That stuff also adheres to any bare metal like nothing else. Your bike will never look quite the same.

I did the trip on an 08 KLR which I thought was pretty appropriate for the terrain. I would havelikeda bigger bike on the main roads getting there but not so much when the terrain got challenging. Having said that we met some seasoned Dempster riders that do it all the time, one two-up on a 1000 Strom with street tires. That would require some talent or bravado for the final leg but would be just fine for the rest.

You need a minimum fuel range of 380 km. I was able to do it with a stock KLR tank but had to hit every available fuel stop. I was carrying 5L extra fuel just in case and decided to push it on the way back and found with that extra fuel I was close to 500 km range fully loaded. 55 km on reserve and another 7 from leaning the bike to the left all the way.

A mosquito head net was my best purchase for the trip. They are voracious at the arctic circle. Dry bags from MEC were excellent for gear that won't go in saddle bags.

Anything else you want to know? Fire away or send me a PM. Dave

[vanmixman]

What did the strom do to make that kind of range? Mine will only do 300 at the best of times.

[Dr650 dreadnought]

Did this trip a few years ago. Time was short so I shipped from Kamloops to Whitehorse with Byers.($250?) I got a crate from the Honda dealer (free) and modded it to fit the Dr. Flew one way to Whitehorse. The scenery was unreal. I need two gallons packed in the topcase to make the 350? km fuel gap. The best parts of the trip were:Inuvik (goal),the Arctic Circle monument,Eagle River(Oasis),Mackenzie River,Dawson City, Top of the World Hwy to AK.

Cons: Seat not sorted on Dr, mental lapses on long dronesAK hwy.,mosqitoes

My adviceis to Ferry up to AK or Prince Rupert at least one way to lessen long days and give you a break on the way home.I rode home but getting the bike to Whitehorse and flying saved me 3 days of travel. The AK hwy is really GS, Vstrom fun butwasboring on a 650 single. North of Whitehorse is where the ADV begins. I got advice to keep your pressure up (I did) on the Dempster to avoid flats on sharp shale. It worked, less control but no flats.

I'll pike to the Yukon again no doubt. http://www.dualsportbc.com/photogallery/data/720/31621-med.jpg (http://www.dualsportbc.com/photogallery/showphoto.php?photo=11900&size=big&sort=1&cat=500)

[michelangelu]

If you still planing the trip and you need somebody to ride with, let my know!
All the best!!!!!!
Bogdan

i did the trip this past june. Was the best part of my whole alaska trip. Its around 750km of gravel, mud, and dirt. On the way up it took 16hrs to reach inuvik. The last ferry of the last river crossing ends at 1am..

Get your certificate for crossing the artic circle at the visitor center in inuvik. Dont worry about those scary made up stories of sharp shale just waiting to punture your tire.....sure you may get a flat, but the road gravel is no different than the backroads here. Just deeper. Half way is eagle plains, which provides hotel,camping, gas and food.

excellent fishing along the way, and lots of wildlife.

have fun

here is a link to my picture. Im still in the process of editing this new site
http://www.mytripjournal.com/backroadsandbeyond

[deuce]

My wife and I are planning the same trip. We are leaving the end of June via the ferry to Bella Coola. Riding two KTM 950's. There are lots of good ride reports on www.advrider.com Check 'em out. :tup:

[trialslord]

The girlfriend and I are planning the same trip. we are now looking for a more appropriate bike for two up riding!!!...wouldn't be much fun on a DR 650!!

:hb:

James

[Leafster]

trialslord wrote:
The girlfriend and I are planning the same trip. we are now looking for a more appropriate bike for two up riding!!!...wouldn't be much fun on a DR 650!!

:hb:

James


unapologetic for sale bump

http://www.dualsportbc.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=7241&forum_id=12

[deuce]

trialslord wrote:

The girlfriend and I are planningÂ* the same trip. we are now looking for a more appropriate bike for two up riding!!!...wouldn't be much fun on a DR 650!!

:hb:

James


Lots of nice used 950's for sale south of the border. They are quite comfy 2 up and have lots of storage capacity. The suspension is awesome too. I picked mine up for $8500 U.S. when the Cdn$ was at 0.96 U.S.

[donbcivil]

deuce wrote:
trialslord wrote:

The girlfriend and I are planning the same trip. we are now looking for a more appropriate bike for two up riding!!!...wouldn't be much fun on a DR 650!!

:hb:

James


Lots of nice used 950's for sale south of the border. They are quite comfy 2 up and have lots of storage capacity. The suspension is awesome too. I picked mine up for $8500 U.S. when the Cdn$ was at 0.96 U.S.

KTM 950? A co-worker got one this year and reported good deals on maybe 2007s still new at the dealer. I'd be glad to ask where if it'd help. Possibly I-90 Motorsports in Issaquah...they'regood folks.



Edit: this place has a new 2006:
http://www.motoplex.net/pages/newvehicles/viewlines/31/KTM_Lines.aspx

(I've never shopped there)