
Florida to Alaska 2019
Forum rules
This is the place to plan a ride or let others know about upcoming rides. Please post stories and/or pictures of the ride once it happens in the "Ride Reports" section. Please put the city and state of the rally or start of the ride so folks can attend.
This is the place to plan a ride or let others know about upcoming rides. Please post stories and/or pictures of the ride once it happens in the "Ride Reports" section. Please put the city and state of the rally or start of the ride so folks can attend.
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- New Member
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:01 pm
Florida to Alaska 2019
Taking the new Ural from Florida to Alaska, Anyone here done that? Suggestions? Recommendations? Advice? I have been riding for 25 years and ridden around the country. This will be my first trip in a Ural and a long one. June 15th departure, returning to Florida mid September 

"Live the Life you Love and Love the Life you Live"
1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]

1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]
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- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:05 pm
- Location: Camano Island, WA
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
Where in Alaska are you heading? I went to Fairbanks a couple years ago on my BMW R1200GS with Expedition sidecar. Outstanding trip!! I was gone 1 month from NW Washington State.
I suggest you carry extra fuel as, at times, either stations are out or closed when you want it. I only had to use my extra can 1 time as I had planned pretty well and never missed a chance to fuel up when it was available.
Please keep us apprised of your progress and if you are in NW Washington State let me know. Be safe!
I suggest you carry extra fuel as, at times, either stations are out or closed when you want it. I only had to use my extra can 1 time as I had planned pretty well and never missed a chance to fuel up when it was available.
Please keep us apprised of your progress and if you are in NW Washington State let me know. Be safe!
Keith Birkhofer
Marine By Choice
2018 Gear Up
Former Bikes:
1947 Cushman Motor Scooter
1958 Cushman Motor Scooter
1964 Yamaguchi
1965 Honda 250
1968 KZ100
1960 Honda 55 (2 of them)
2002 Honda Gold Wing
2006 Ural Patrol
2005 BMW GS1200
2018 Ural Gear Up
Marine By Choice
2018 Gear Up
Former Bikes:
1947 Cushman Motor Scooter
1958 Cushman Motor Scooter
1964 Yamaguchi
1965 Honda 250
1968 KZ100
1960 Honda 55 (2 of them)
2002 Honda Gold Wing
2006 Ural Patrol
2005 BMW GS1200
2018 Ural Gear Up
- Lofty
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 1219
- Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:17 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
Best of luck as your departure date approaches.
With your accumulated riding and cross country experience, you could likely offer suggestions and such to some of the members here.
Anyway, having done a bit of interstate touring myself, there's a few universal thoughts that come to mind:
-Don't pass up the opportunity to refuel the bike, or yourself.
-Heated grips and Gore-Tex riding gear have no practical substitutes, full stop.
-How you begin each day, mentally, will affect how each day concludes.
-The ability to be your own mechanic, nurse and muse may, in the end, be the only thing that allows you to complete The Trip. Know at least a little bit of everything. Specialization is for insects.
And, of course:
-Pictures, or it never happened.
Be safe. Be healthy.
With your accumulated riding and cross country experience, you could likely offer suggestions and such to some of the members here.

Anyway, having done a bit of interstate touring myself, there's a few universal thoughts that come to mind:
-Don't pass up the opportunity to refuel the bike, or yourself.
-Heated grips and Gore-Tex riding gear have no practical substitutes, full stop.
-How you begin each day, mentally, will affect how each day concludes.
-The ability to be your own mechanic, nurse and muse may, in the end, be the only thing that allows you to complete The Trip. Know at least a little bit of everything. Specialization is for insects.
And, of course:
-Pictures, or it never happened.

Be safe. Be healthy.
Inventory:
2018 Ural Gear Up
2015 Suzuki DR650
1991 Bianchi Osprey
1952 Columbia RX-5 ('87, NOS)
2018 Ural Gear Up
2015 Suzuki DR650
1991 Bianchi Osprey
1952 Columbia RX-5 ('87, NOS)
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- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:05 pm
- Location: Camano Island, WA
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
When I went I went in August missed the majority of the mosquitoes! They can be ferocious, so please plan ahead. Also the "no see ums" aren't too fun. I used a mosquito head net, which turned out to be the best money ever spent!!
There are 4 motorcycle dealers in Fairbanks. The BMW dealer changed out a tire and did a service for me. I took the spare tire for the pusher. Don't know that you will need anything more than the spare that comes with your bike, but having one and not needing it is certainly better than needing one and not having it!!!
There are 4 motorcycle dealers in Fairbanks. The BMW dealer changed out a tire and did a service for me. I took the spare tire for the pusher. Don't know that you will need anything more than the spare that comes with your bike, but having one and not needing it is certainly better than needing one and not having it!!!
Keith Birkhofer
Marine By Choice
2018 Gear Up
Former Bikes:
1947 Cushman Motor Scooter
1958 Cushman Motor Scooter
1964 Yamaguchi
1965 Honda 250
1968 KZ100
1960 Honda 55 (2 of them)
2002 Honda Gold Wing
2006 Ural Patrol
2005 BMW GS1200
2018 Ural Gear Up
Marine By Choice
2018 Gear Up
Former Bikes:
1947 Cushman Motor Scooter
1958 Cushman Motor Scooter
1964 Yamaguchi
1965 Honda 250
1968 KZ100
1960 Honda 55 (2 of them)
2002 Honda Gold Wing
2006 Ural Patrol
2005 BMW GS1200
2018 Ural Gear Up
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- New Member
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:01 pm
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
Thank you, yes I plan on taking extra fuel (5gal) .Marine Corps Codu wrote: ↑Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:46 pmWhere in Alaska are you heading? I went to Fairbanks a couple years ago on my BMW R1200GS with Expedition sidecar. Outstanding trip!! I was gone 1 month from NW Washington State.
I suggest you carry extra fuel as, at times, either stations are out or closed when you want it. I only had to use my extra can 1 time as I had planned pretty well and never missed a chance to fuel up when it was available.
Please keep us apprised of your progress and if you are in NW Washington State let me know. Be safe!
I'll be going into Anchorage, Kenai and Homer. My route includes a pit stop through Washington.
Yes I heard the mosquitoes are no fun. We have the no-see-ums here as well... I will have a full face helmet plus the net.
"Live the Life you Love and Love the Life you Live"
1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]

1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]
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- New Member
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:01 pm
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
Thank you Lofty, I actually plan on doing a youtube channel this time. All those years of riding and never filmed it. Saved it for the big event. There will be lots of pictures and videos.Lofty wrote: ↑Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:51 pmBest of luck as your departure date approaches.
With your accumulated riding and cross country experience, you could likely offer suggestions and such to some of the members here.![]()
Anyway, having done a bit of interstate touring myself, there's a few universal thoughts that come to mind:
-Don't pass up the opportunity to refuel the bike, or yourself.
-Heated grips and Gore-Tex riding gear have no practical substitutes, full stop.
-How you begin each day, mentally, will affect how each day concludes.
-The ability to be your own mechanic, nurse and muse may, in the end, be the only thing that allows you to complete The Trip. Know at least a little bit of everything. Specialization is for insects.
And, of course:
-Pictures, or it never happened.![]()
Be safe. Be healthy.
"Live the Life you Love and Love the Life you Live"
1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]

1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]
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- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:05 pm
- Location: Camano Island, WA
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
I might suggest you consider the headlight and driving light mesh protectors from https://www.hemisphereoffroad.com/products. I also covered mine with plexiglass to keep the dang bugs off as plexiglass is MUCH easier to clean.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Keith Birkhofer
Marine By Choice
2018 Gear Up
Former Bikes:
1947 Cushman Motor Scooter
1958 Cushman Motor Scooter
1964 Yamaguchi
1965 Honda 250
1968 KZ100
1960 Honda 55 (2 of them)
2002 Honda Gold Wing
2006 Ural Patrol
2005 BMW GS1200
2018 Ural Gear Up
Marine By Choice
2018 Gear Up
Former Bikes:
1947 Cushman Motor Scooter
1958 Cushman Motor Scooter
1964 Yamaguchi
1965 Honda 250
1968 KZ100
1960 Honda 55 (2 of them)
2002 Honda Gold Wing
2006 Ural Patrol
2005 BMW GS1200
2018 Ural Gear Up
-
- New Member
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:01 pm
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
And of course they are on vacation so I wouldn't be able to get anything on time anyways.
"Live the Life you Love and Love the Life you Live"
1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]

1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
CC Jon did the ride from Key West to Prudhoe Bay Alaska back in 2010. Find his post, I’m sure you’ll find a lot of very interesting information there.
2011 Gear Up - "Erika"
Yorktown, VA
Mains: 127, Idle: 40, Needle: 1 shim
MKIII air filter
100,000 km and counting
Yorktown, VA
Mains: 127, Idle: 40, Needle: 1 shim
MKIII air filter
100,000 km and counting
-
- New Member
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:01 pm
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
I think I saw his youtube slide show.
"Live the Life you Love and Love the Life you Live"
1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]

1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]
- davek
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2018 10:04 pm
- Location: Brookings, OR
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
Best of luck. Sounds like fun, but I'd probably be too paranoid to do it alone
Did anyone mention bear spray? I remember coming back from Hyderseek in 2003 and stopping to see a sign that said something to the effect "in case of bears stay in vehicle". I thought to myself, yeah, I'll do that.

Did anyone mention bear spray? I remember coming back from Hyderseek in 2003 and stopping to see a sign that said something to the effect "in case of bears stay in vehicle". I thought to myself, yeah, I'll do that.
dkollen
Brookings, OR
Current rides:
2017 Gear-up "Honey Badger"
w/ off-road package, Givi windshield,
and black, ceramic-coated high-rise exhaust
1972 Suzuki GT550 (being restored)
Previous rides
2005 Goldwing, 2000 Kawasaki W-650
200x BMW R1200C, 2002 BMW K1200
2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, 1974 Kawasaki KZ400
1974 Kawasaki KZ750, 1973 Honda CL450
1972 Suzuki GT550 (not the same one as above)
(2) 1972 Suzuki TS250,
1971 Yamaha RT 360, 196x Honda 50 "pasture rider"
Brookings, OR
Current rides:
2017 Gear-up "Honey Badger"
w/ off-road package, Givi windshield,
and black, ceramic-coated high-rise exhaust
1972 Suzuki GT550 (being restored)
Previous rides
2005 Goldwing, 2000 Kawasaki W-650
200x BMW R1200C, 2002 BMW K1200
2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, 1974 Kawasaki KZ400
1974 Kawasaki KZ750, 1973 Honda CL450
1972 Suzuki GT550 (not the same one as above)
(2) 1972 Suzuki TS250,
1971 Yamaha RT 360, 196x Honda 50 "pasture rider"
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- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2019
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:05 pm
- Location: Camano Island, WA
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
Taking bear spray over the border? - Canadian Rockies ...
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g ... spray_over...
Apr 19, 2012 · I took my bear spray over the border from Canada into the US in October 2009 and then back into Canada. I didn't volunteer any information about having it, and the border guards never asked. The information I had googled in advance was similar to what C_W said - in Canada, it has to be labelled as bear deterrent.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g ... spray_over...
Apr 19, 2012 · I took my bear spray over the border from Canada into the US in October 2009 and then back into Canada. I didn't volunteer any information about having it, and the border guards never asked. The information I had googled in advance was similar to what C_W said - in Canada, it has to be labelled as bear deterrent.
Keith Birkhofer
Marine By Choice
2018 Gear Up
Former Bikes:
1947 Cushman Motor Scooter
1958 Cushman Motor Scooter
1964 Yamaguchi
1965 Honda 250
1968 KZ100
1960 Honda 55 (2 of them)
2002 Honda Gold Wing
2006 Ural Patrol
2005 BMW GS1200
2018 Ural Gear Up
Marine By Choice
2018 Gear Up
Former Bikes:
1947 Cushman Motor Scooter
1958 Cushman Motor Scooter
1964 Yamaguchi
1965 Honda 250
1968 KZ100
1960 Honda 55 (2 of them)
2002 Honda Gold Wing
2006 Ural Patrol
2005 BMW GS1200
2018 Ural Gear Up
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
CCjon had about four different post about his trip. Here’s one of them.
He had a blog at the time, which he may still have, where he posted the day-to-day trip.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=27249&p=325554&hili ... ay#p325554
He had a blog at the time, which he may still have, where he posted the day-to-day trip.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=27249&p=325554&hili ... ay#p325554
2011 Gear Up - "Erika"
Yorktown, VA
Mains: 127, Idle: 40, Needle: 1 shim
MKIII air filter
100,000 km and counting
Yorktown, VA
Mains: 127, Idle: 40, Needle: 1 shim
MKIII air filter
100,000 km and counting
-
- New Member
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:01 pm
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
Yup, plan on having bear spray. It's legal to take it across as long as it doesn't say pepper spray. Bear spray are half the potency of the human defense OC spray.
"Live the Life you Love and Love the Life you Live"
1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]

1995 Honda Magna
1999 Kawasaki Ninja 750
1994 Honda Magna
2001 Honda CBR 929RR
1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100
2000 Kawasaki KZ1000 Retire Portland Police
2013 Harley RoadGlide
2018 Ural Gear Up
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYK5CP ... X0YHIurtjQ[/youtube]
Re: Florida to Alaska 2019
So, if we ever make the trip, I can take my shotgun so long as I have Bear Deterrent engraved on the stock. Got it!
We have considered a Georgia to Alaska run for some time now, the problem is getting enough contiguous time free to make it. I envy your trip, good luck and be careful.

We have considered a Georgia to Alaska run for some time now, the problem is getting enough contiguous time free to make it. I envy your trip, good luck and be careful.
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2017 - cT - "Georgia" My wife's rig.
2017 - M70/Retro, Sigmund. My wife's other rig.
Robert
http://HabitatForBats.org - Give a bat a home!
2017 - cT - "Georgia" My wife's rig.
2017 - M70/Retro, Sigmund. My wife's other rig.
Robert
http://HabitatForBats.org - Give a bat a home!