DRZ to the Arctic circle

[bucket list]

Another one off the list before i kick it.

7,700 kms up through North western BC into the Yukon territories Canada. As far north as the Arctic circle, about 500 kms or so from the Arctic ocean.

The trip was all i expected and more, beautiful scenery, great mountain passes, vast untouched wilderness, lots of wild animals, long boring stretches of road and nasty weather. And i enjoyed it all, even after running out of songs to sing in my helmut and losing too many times to myself playing "rock, paper, scissors".

The "and more" was the huge number of people i met from all around the world, with a wide variety of vehicles traveling to the arctic. A small sample of some that i met.

This couple from France, drove this "thing" from the tip of South America and were almost at their goal of the Arctic ocean when i met them at the Arctic circle.

These two guys and one Brazilian beauty, all from different country's in South America, randomly met on the way up, were now traveling together. Then on the Dempster hwy met a Mexican guy who joined their possy.

Guy from Germany driving his Mercedes 4x4 camper around the world.

Texas couple in their Vanagon have been places.

Swen is going places.

There was a Japanese fella on a loaded up XT250 doing the "America's" and pair big BMW's with New Zealand plates on them.

I loved the diversity and talking with all different people, like the prospector who had been working a claim near Dawson City for 40 years in the summer, would travel home to NYC and spend the winters in Arizona, doing a big triangle every year.

The highlight of the trip was Dawson City, a gold mining town from the late 1800's that's been restored as is was, with dirt streets, wood sidewalks, gambling/show halls, houses of ill repute and higher worship.

And the Dempster hwy which goes from Dawson City to the Arctic ocean and Tuktiuctuk.

My only adversity, if you could call it that, was a very sore neck, that made rest for a day in a little town in northern BC. But even that turned into a blessing as i discovered the coolest museum next to the campground i was in. Being a motorhead myself, i was in my glory.

And of course, i always enjoy getting back to the lake for the summer with family.

Again the DRZ was the star of the ride, as comfortable and reliable as ever. I thought as i passed the hundreds of big adventure bikes going up and coming down, mostly big BMW's, KTM's and African twins, am i missing something here?

[The Inquisitor]

AWESOME dude and nice to read and know you are home!

I remember the pics of your place and IMO truly inspiring adventure my friend regardless of the bike and I love my DRZ but not something I plan on doing on it anytime soon ?

 

[Augoose]

That is amazing! You completed something others (like me) only dream of. That motivates me to try a trip like that on my E model. Love the pictures too.

Thanks for sharing!

[Daleslad]

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us & well done!! Brilliant …

[johned]

My wife and I did this trip three summers ago, albeit taking a different route up the Cassiar Highway. The highlight of my riding life. She was on an f650 and I rode my 30 year old K75.  A trip not without it's challenges, but that's what made it so memorable.  Seeing your excellent post makes me want to get up there again.  Thanks so much for sharing this.  It's an adventure for sure and the people you met really made it even sweeter. Good for you!

[bucket list]

My wife and I did this trip three summers ago, albeit taking a different route up the Cassiar Highway. The highlight of my riding life. She was on an f650 and I rode my 30 year old K75.  A trip not without it's challenges, but that's what made it so memorable.  Seeing your excellent post makes me want to get up there again.  Thanks so much for sharing this.  It's an adventure for sure and the people you met really made it even sweeter. Good for you!

Thanks guys, i was inspired, reading and watching others adventure's up to the Arctic, so i hope to inspire one or two of you.
And yes John i went up the Cassiar hwy, did a little of shout to Hyder Alaska through the glacier hwy.

Also, before i got to the Cassiar, came up the Frasier Canyon between Lillooet and Williams lake.

[Q-B]

15 hours ago, bucket list said:

This couple from France, drove this "thing" from the tip of South America and were almost at their goal of the Arctic ocean when i met them at the Arctic circle.

Excellent, Bucket List. That's a trip. Well done.

But: in the picture there that's not a "thing", that's a Citroen 2CV Fourgonnette AKS (with some mods obviously). 

[Daleslad]

Wonderful simple & reliable machines. Used to run a Dolly 2 CV, utilitarian but unique …

[joebradley]

I've been riding for 54 years, and have done some crazy rides, but YOURS, was a true inspiration! THANKS for sharing.

[bweighmaster]

Really nice ,  glad you had a good time .....   Nice pics .....

[Scottg07]

What a cool trip! Just curious how much of it was at speeds above 60? Its especially inspiring how you use the drz as a touring machine and how it has performed so well!

[bucket list]

What a cool trip! Just curious how much of it was at speeds above 60? Its especially inspiring how you use the drz as a touring machine and how it has performed so well!

Well Scott, i'm kind of suprised too, i cruise at around 105 kph(65mph) it's a real smooth spot in the rev's, just below 6,000 rpm with 16/41 gears and with the SeatConcepts seat and rally fairing, honestly i'm comfortable doing some 11 hour 7 to 800 km days. That's why i'm wondering, what am i missing not riding a big adv. bike like everyone else? Even passing semi's and motorhomes is easy, as my 434 all loaded still accelerate's to 125 kph quick enough.
The fuel mileage varies a ton though. At that 105kph i would only get 180 kms before the stock tank was completely empty. I was concerned doing the Dempster, because there was 400 kms between gas stops. So i hooked up with these two BMW guys who had extra gas and they where only putting along at 75 kph, so i got 300 kms out of my stock tank.

[bucket list]

What a cool trip! Just curious how much of it was at speeds above 60? Its especially inspiring how you use the drz as a touring machine and how it has performed so well!

Sorry Scott, about 2/3 - 3/4 of the trip was at 65 mph , but i just accepted the fact that to get where i wanted to go i'd have to do a lot of slabbing.
I looked into Alaska ferries from Bellingham to Skagway, but it was going to be 3,000 dollar US (4,000) canadian, plus they were on strike this summer.
Mybe on an other trip when i have more time and do more of Akaska

[RevyRoamer]

Bucket, you are like my non-caped super hero.

Thanks for sharing this adventure with us who are sitting on the couch reading about it.

[Tripilot]

Well done!

[roleyrev]

On ‎8‎/‎26‎/‎2019 at 6:50 PM, bucket list said:

Well Scott, i'm kind of suprised too, i cruise at around 105 kph(65mph) it's a real smooth spot in the rev's, just below 6,000 rpm with 16/41 gears and with the SeatConcepts seat and rally fairing, honestly i'm comfortable doing some 11 hour 7 to 800 km days. That's why i'm wondering, what am i missing not riding a big adv. bike like everyone else? Even passing semi's and motorhomes is easy, as my 434 all loaded still accelerate's to 125 kph quick enough.
The fuel mileage varies a ton though. At that 105kph i would only get 180 kms before the stock tank was completely empty. I was concerned doing the Dempster, because there was 400 kms between gas stops. So i hooked up with these two BMW guys who had extra gas and they where only putting along at 75 kph, so i got 300 kms out of my stock tank.
 

That's a pretty decent speed.  I have some hopes pinned on a ACT gear set on the 462 that's currently under construction.  I'm hoping that will allow the same highway cruising but with a little lower 1st and second.  Some of the high country tracks around here a pretty steep and knarly. I find the standard SM gearing that I run a bit to tall for some stuff. 300kms from a tank is also very good. I can get 240km from the 10 litre tinny and about 400 odd from the 17 litre Safari tank.  Your trip looks absolutely  awesome!

[bucket list]

Definitely interested in how yours turns out, especially how you find the gear spacing and what kind of mileage you get out of the powerhouse motor.It could be that won't get the huge difference in range going fast or slow. I think one of the reasons I got 300 kms out of the stock tank, besides going 75 kph, was we had a tale wind. On the way back I got a little cocky, upped my speed a little, had that head wind and almost didn't make the 400 kms back to Dawson city, using all my extra gas.

[bucket list]

12 hours ago, roleyrev said:

That's a pretty decent speed.  I have some hopes pinned on a ACT gear set on the 462 that's currently under construction.  I'm hoping that will allow the same highway cruising but with a little lower 1st and second.  Some of the high country tracks around here a pretty steep and knarly. I find the standard SM gearing that I run a bit to tall for some stuff. 300kms from a tank is also very good. I can get 240km from the 10 litre tinny and about 400 odd from the 17 litre Safari tank.  Your trip looks absolutely  awesome!

ment to quote you.