I have a couple of trips to Anchorage in May and planning on going to the non-rally in Dawson City known as D2D (Dust 2 Dawson) on the Top of the World Hwy just before the Summer Solstice. I am thinking about just continuing to make my way slowly down towards Montana. We have a family reunion in Oregon in the middle of July and a wedding in northern California near the beginning of August. Other than that, no plans.
I had asked Chris from Everyday Riding and Dom from Redleg's Rides about my sanity in taking the Ural on a road trip. Chris' answer was
"I think it may be asking for trouble"and Dom's was
"do you want the rig to break down in the wilds of BC where there's not much for miles?"Both are excellent (confidence inspiring) statements and provoked a lot of thought over the last few months.
My original plan was to take the Beemer sans sidecar down and leave it in Oregon to be used on future road trips. But after the Ural lifter failure last January, I like the idea of having a spare sidecar rig in Fairbanks. Plus, there is only about four months left on the extended warranty and I'm thinking that I may want to put on as many miles as possible during that time. Plus, I don't have many time constraints on this trip.
I'll see how it goes on the trips in May. The second trip is down to Talkeetna over Memorial Day weekend for the United Sidecar Association campout.
Richard, I guess you'd do fine taking the Ural for traveling, and there is so much space in the side car in for necessary spares, plus you are a good mechanic if needed and the road gods will protect moto travellers, like yourself. Go for it! It will be a great adventure.
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of what I've been thinking. It's made it this far without falling apart and has already made the lower-48 to Alaska trip once before. Most of the bugs should be worked out...
DeleteLike SonjaM said, not a lot you can't fix on the URAL given the required parts....just travel with a means to communicate for help when cellphone coverage is out. Besides, if you can get the engine to blow up within the warranty period, you get a "new" engine.
ReplyDeleteYou say you'll have no time constraints so you can ride it at Ural speed or lower....
That's kind of what I'm thinking. Just have some spare for things that do wear out like the rubber coupler on the drive shaft, compliance fitting, maybe a hall sensor, plugs, fuses, some bulbs and filters.
Delete50mph is a comfortable speed and I'll be traveling light.
Hmmm if you want to keep the BMW in Fairbanks, you might just have to buy a local Oregon bike to keep when in town. Or just borrow one of ours, they are at your disposal.
ReplyDeleteI think touring on a Ural is doable for you, like others have said, you are mechanically inclined and could probably fix what went wrong. You might just want to map our the Ural dealers along your route and have their numbers programmed in your phone for overnighting parts to your motel if necessary. Raceway is always a phone call away. (provided you have cell service)
Motel? This is a bargain basement trip all the way. I plan on camping out and eating in. (Is that the right phrase?)
DeleteHmmm, any theories as to why the sidecar studs were the most worn?
ReplyDeleteI think that when I apply the rear brake, the sidecar wheel may occasionally lock up and slide. There really isn't much weight on it and the brake is the same as the rear wheel on the bike.
DeleteI think the odds are in your favor if you really travel light, and so few people do, which is the best way to avoid problems combined with relatively low speeds. Plus you have run the bike in well.
ReplyDeleteI think the real trick is to unjinx the bike by being able to keep a serene frame of mind and not be bothered by breakdowns. I have found remote break downs to be not a very big deal as in remote places people help out. Its in suburbia that you can feel most isolated (and the help will cost $$$).
I think you are right on about traveling light and slow. Stick to the little black lines on the map. In Alaska, the Yukon Territory and northern BC, it's easy as the speed limit is mostly 50 mph. I find it very relaxing though others are annoyed that they can't get in 1000 mile days...
DeleteRichard;
ReplyDeleteDon't let the naysayers get to you. I tried touring on a schedule specific places to stay. And found that I didn't really like doing that. It's all about enjoying the ride anyway.
Looking forward to seeing you in Talkeetna, is Bridgett coming with you?
That's the plan. No real schedule. Plus there are all these places that I've wanted to stop and see but never had the time...
DeleteAnd yes, Bridget is planning on coming down to Talkeetna.
That was me
ReplyDelete