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Question - Has anyone ridden a Spyder to Prudhoe Bay?
The ALCAN highway and the Cassier are no problem.
I've been as far north as Coldfoot on a V-strom and got stopped by a blizzard. The haul road's dust, mud, slickum, detours, and changing weather is always challenge. The low clearance of my Sea to Sky has me wondering about the possibilities of successfully making the run.
Comments?
I have ridden to the Arctic Circle as you have. Also, to Dawson City and to Yellowknife. Granted on a Harley and not on a Spyder. Have gone through some rough construction areas that I am convinced the Spyder low clearance would get hung up. The front fenders to tires clearances could pose a problem if the road crews put down the chloride treatment making a slim that is tough.
Many miles of loose pebble roadways may compromise the drive belt. I am thinking like you that the biggest problem will be ground clearance. I had been thinking about a third trip to Alaska but the Spyder does have some restrictions that two wheelers do not have for a trip like that but others have made it at least to Alaska and not up Haul Road and somebody has to be first... Only limitations is what we perceive ourselves.
Last I heard, Prudhoe Bay was not a tourist destination. You had to stop at a certain point and take specialized transportation in.
Dodging semi's and rocky roads await you, but it will certainly be an interesting trip. I would say similar to the roads you have already encountered.
In my almost 20 years in AK, I never did the haul roads or more on my Spyders. But, I am considered a disabled rider. A breakdown of any kind would have not been good for me. :bowdown:
I rode my 2020 RTL up to Alaska last year. I had intentions of riding to the Arctic Circle but after a dusty and tiring ride over the Top of the World Highway, I decided to forgo the Arctic Circle. The TOTWH wasn't too bad for a dirt/gravel road but the combination of dust, dirt, rocks and fatigue from staying on point to Chicken and Tok wore me out. Instead of the AC I went to Chena Hot Springs and enjoyed a day off.
I sometimes regret not riding up to the AC but I knew there were no Spyder dealer/repair shops in Alaska. I hoped the old dealer in Eagle Plains would be helpful if I needed them but I had no guarantee. So, I played it safe and kept the machine's welfare in mind.
The only Spyder rider I know that made it to Deadhorse is "Yazz". She rode up to Deadhorse several years ago on her Spyder while her husband was on two wheels. She documented her travels here on Spyderlovers so do a search and you'll find her.
We also had the pleasure of meeting Yazz and her husband. Around 2011 or so. We shared some of the local sights with them when they visited.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotts8826
Another group "North to Alaska" also came and visited us. We had a great time with them for a couple days and then they went North. I believe one of their destinations was Prudhoe Bay.
Here is a link to our going away party for them. This happened in 2015.
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...p?albumid=3932
I rode to Prudhoe Bay on my '09 GS. The post office didn't have it's sign up, so we got a picture at the gas pump. The trick to doing it is the time of year...
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ht=Yazz+Alaska
We were part of the North to Alaska trip, and a few of us did go to Prudhoe Bay. I did not want to risk the Spyder, so I contacted a tour company that flew us up there from Fairbanks. They arranged a place to stay, where we could eat, a bus tour to the ocean (you're not allowed to go there without an oil field escort). They then drove us back to Fairbanks with a stop in Coldfoot and a tour of an off-the-grid community. The driver was a schoolteacher, and this was her summer job. There wasn't a question asked that she didn't know. It was for me the highlight of an amazing trip.
Thanks for the feedback. You all observed what I saw on past rides and have convinced me that the "Haul Road" is best ridden on something other than a Spyder.
It took two hours of scrubbing my V-Strom to get the calcium carbide mud off of it after 500 miles.
I may have to repeat the run to Dawson City for the "Dust to Dawson" get-together and re-ride the Top of the World Highway to Chicken. I loved the last trip. A photo at the Arctic Circle sign will be a bonus.
John
Have you given some thoughts on a Ryker Ralley? It appears to be more for off roading. Has driveshaft, beefier, meant for riding on gravel, has skid plate, etc.
IMHO, Spyders do *not* like dirt roads. My wife managed to get stuck in a dirt driveway, for goodness sake.