Want to do an Adventure Ride?

[iridefar]

I am planning a trip for 2007 and figured I would open up the invitation to a few people who would like to take a true adventure ride. No mass produced travel guides; no mile-by-mile directions available; just a few riders and what promises to be some pretty rough conditions.

For that reason, I am putting out the following requirements to join me on this trip:

Your bike must:
- have at least a 300 mile range
- be capable of going several hundred miles off-road

You must:
- be willing/able to ride in below freezing temps for multiple days
- have dirt riding experience
- be able to do 600 mile days on pavement
- have camping gear suitable for below freezing temps
- be able to change your own tires, do routine maint, etc. and have the tools necessary to do so

I will be taking my R1200GS, so I have some mods to do to get to a 300 mile range, but there is at least one stretch of 300 miles between available gas stops (still doing some research on this).

I expect the trip to take around 2 weeks and start in April pending me getting my vacation approved. The mileage should be somewhere around 6,000 miles.

I normally travel solo, so this would be my first long trip (more than 1000 miles) with other riders.

[Ritten]

Cool!!! Is this going to be along the trans-america trail or something of that sort? Sounds like it's going to be one hell of an adventure.....remember pictures!

[Bayou Boy]

I would research this gas stop thing. I'm pretty sure there aren't but a couple of stretches of road in North America without gas for 300 miles.

And they are probably in far north Canada.

[iridefar]

Cool!!! Is this going to be along the trans-america trail or something of that sort? Sounds like it's going to be one hell of an adventure.....remember pictures!

No, this is my attempt to stear away from the "touristy" adventure rides and find something a little different before there are no "different" places left. I think most of this gravel road is scheduled to be paved by the end of 2008, so I figured I had better jump on this one.

I like to just look at the map and pick out little towns that I think it would be a challenge to get to. This one's been calling my name for over a year now. I know it's a good plan when the road info starts with "WARNING...". For me, there has to be at least a 15% chance that you will not make it back alive to qualify as an adventure ride.

If you weren't headed to Alaska, this would be a good one for you. It has two things that I think you like: cold and dirty.

Hey, you reminded me of something I forgot. This one will take place north of the border, so a passport would be good to have.

[Bayou Boy]

I would research this gas stop thing. I'm pretty sure there aren't but a couple of stretches of road in North America without gas for 300 miles.

And they are probably in far north Canada.



After thinking about it those places in north Canada are probably exactly where you're going.

[iridefar]

After thinking about it those places in north Canada are probably exactly where you're going.

Yea, I have to do some more research on that. I have conflicting info on the gas stop thing. There is suppose to be a town, but one guy on the web said that the town was torn down by the mining company that employed all of the residents.

If there is a gas stop where I think there might be, it will only be 185 miles. Very bad news, though, if it is not there because it is another 110 miles to the next town.

[Rocky]

Don't you people have jobs? Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang "peeonu" WORK

[Ritten]

I know it will depend greatly on the terrain, but at 60-65mph on smooth pavement you should have no problem getting 250 miles out of a 12GS tank if you've drilled the neck and can fill her all the way up. You could always carry a 2 gallon gas can strapped to the back for that last 50 miles. However, if this is an offroad or gravel section, then look at your milage dropping a good bit.

Steve, you're thinking of installing an Adventure tank?

[iridefar]

Don't you people have jobs? Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang "peeonu" WORK

Yes, and unfortunately it all starts back TOMORROW Head Bang Head Bang

[iridefar]

I know it will depend greatly on the terrain, but at 60-65mph on smooth pavement you should have no problem getting 250 miles out of a 12GS tank if you've drilled the neck and can fill her all the way up. You could always carry a 2 gallon gas can strapped to the back for that last 50 miles. However, if this is an offroad or gravel section, then look at your milage dropping a good bit.

Steve, you're thinking of installing an Adventure tank?

I must admit I was little disappointed in the bike's range. I have not drilled the neck, but the rubber piece is out. I also overfill the tank and then shake the bike to get the air out. On my trip out west the light would come on at 180 miles and say I had about 38 miles remaining. In a strong headwind the light came on at 150 miles.

That is a good point, though. I need to drill the filler neck and see what that does for me.

Yes, I am looking at the Adventure tank. I have put together the parts list with prices and it looks like it will run me about $1500. It was a tough choice between that and the new Wilbers.

[nickatnite]

Yes, I am looking at the Adventure tank. I have put together the parts list with prices and it looks like it will run me about $1500. It was a tough choice between that and the new Wilbers.

Here ya go: Clikc
(http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130903&highlight=tank)


Also scroll down to the bottom and look in the "hall of wisdom" and you can download the .pdf of the install WITH ENTIRE PARTS LIST!!

Hammersly BMW sells the entire set-up.

[iridefar]

Thanks, Nick. That looks like the same info I was seeing on the www.R1200GS.info web site. It looks like Hammersley is offering a better price than Max BMW. I priced all of the parts individually from Max, but it would be sweet if I can order the whole kit for a couple of hundred dollars cheaper. I will have to call to see if they are still offering that deal.