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  • #1

    xs1100sg...adventure?

    I'm going to Alaska in 2010, which is cool all by itself, but I will be riding with a group of KLRs for at least some of it. While I do have bikes that are pretty off-road capable, I've been thinking about taking my special anyway.

    I don't expect to keep up with the KLRs, I know a dedicated dual-sport with a good rider (and they are more than good) will be better on dirt than anything I can do with my special, but I would like to be able to at least follow them, so I am looking at some mods and looking for advice.

    Shocks - I already have springs in the front, and need to replace the rears anyway. I was going to get heavy-duty ones, but advice is good

    Handlebars - I'm looking for something wider and straighter, both for off-road and to allow better hand guards to be fitted. Anyone have pull-back/rise numbers for something that works?

    Rear Wheel - For whatever rear you can't get a good dual-sport tire for the special, there are some for the R17 standard, and since I'm planning on the final drive mod anyway want to fit a 17inch rear wheel. I've read all the posts here about it, and just want to confirm the parts I need - 1J7-25319-01-00 SEAL, HUB DUST 2H7-25371-00-00 PLATE, TORQUE STOPPER, is there anything else (Other than the rim, of course. I have one of those).

    Sump guard - I want something to protect my oil pan, has anyone ever made something, and is there a pattern? Otherwise I'll just have to make up something.

    of course, there are 200 other little things. Something to protect the headlight, crash bars front and rear (I have those, just need to put them on), maybe find some rubber mounted turn signals, etc. I'm sure people here will have other thoughts on the matter, which is why I'm posting it. And at some point I'll stop riding it and work on all this stuff too

    (Or I might come to my senses, I mean I have a perfectly good Ural, and a tt600 I had got for the trip, a small quiet voice in my head is screaming WHY!!!!!! Good things its small and quiet)
    I've been in more than one Hemisphere, and I wrote a book to help you do it too (or just prepare better for that week long road trip). Going Small, not just for the little guys.
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  • #2
    Alaska

    Have you read about Dan Miers trip to alaska ? I think the Ural is your best bet why screw up a good Special . But its your bike good luck no matter what you decide
    Doug
    Doug Mitchell
    82 XJ1100 sold
    2006 Suzuki C90 SE 1500 CC Cruiser sold
    2007 Stratoliner 1900 sold
    1999 Honda Valkyrie interstate
    47 years riding and still learning, does that make me a slow learner?

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    • #3
      No, and I just went looking and didn't find it. Do you have a link? Or a hint?

      Yeah, taking the Ural would be the smart thing to do...it really would. Almost feels like cheating, though, and I really enjoy my special...
      I've been in more than one Hemisphere, and I wrote a book to help you do it too (or just prepare better for that week long road trip). Going Small, not just for the little guys.

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      • #4
        Sounds like an interesting trip. Couple observations - assuming your planning on taking the alcan highway. I'm sure the road has improved a lot in the last 50 years, but it is still termed an "adventure road". Used to be 2000 miles of gravel, but I understand many sections are now paved. They used to strap plywood to the bottom of cars to keep the undercarriages from being beaten to death. Probably do a real number on your header pipes.

        Don't know about yours, but my standard doesn't care for gravel. The road is actually better in the winter than in the warmer months. If you run into places that aren't passable a dual purpose bike would probably work better. Be a real drag to get part way up there and have to turn around and come back.

        Plan for bugs. There are mosquitos up there that will pick you up and carry you away.
        I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

        '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

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        • #5
          wow
          i ride both a xs11e and a dt400
          when i bought my xs11 i lived on a dirt road, and during spring it would get muddy.
          the xs is not in any form a dual purpose bike.
          just too heavy, go into a slide and put your foot out,
          well it just won't do much good
          but hey try it
          you will have a good time either way
          http://home.securespeed.us/~xswilly/
          78E main ride, since birth the "good"
          78E Parts, the "bad" fixing up now
          78E Parts the "ugly" maybe next year
          79F Parts
          80G Parts
          75 DT 400B enduro

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          • #6
            Most of the Alcan highway is paved now. The Alaska portion is all paved. Other than frost heaves, or the occasional spot under repair, I don't think you'll have any difficulty.

            There are gravel stretches, but they have a tar base, and dust is more prevalent than mud.

            Gas is available, on avg, every 50 miles, but stations are not open early or late at night.

            T
            Nice day, if it doesn't rain...

            '05 ST1300
            '83 502/502 Monte Carlo for sale/trade

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            • #7
              Daniel Meyer's Alaska Trip

              Here's a link to Daniel's site
              Ken Talbot

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