Alaska on a 1150R

[swamper]

Has anyone taken a trip up to Alaska on a 1150 R??????? I'm planning a trip probably a year or so out and have been thinking on taking the R. The biggest draw back is the fuel tank problem. My light comes on at about 180, I then can get to 200 before I'm out. Fill up is at the most 4.4-4.5 at the 200 miles, I usually fill at 175-180 and take 4 gallons so I'm getting the normal mileage. Just thinking 180 miles isn't enough miles on a tank up in Alaska. Any thoughts.

[R100CS]

My light comes on at about 230km (143mi) but that's partly city traffic.
I've heard there are options for having an extra tank connected to the vacuum of the original tank.
But you need to have the extra space for that, like no ABS.
Also it is an extra thing that can go wrong.
You could get a jerrycan and carry that with you.
To do that you probably need real paniers to get all other stuff in too.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25656#p223366

[bransan]

Yes You are going to have a fuel issue. Mostly stopping for fuel more often. My "R" get's the usual 45mpg, unless I'm loaded for a trip to the mountains with all My camping gear, etc. Then I average 37-38 mpg. I too have pondered the thought of taking the "R" to Alaska, and I think it can be done. I want to find a good way to haul an extra gas can. I might also fit some dual purpose tires for that trip, with a spare.

Alaska on a R1150R? No problem!?!?!?!?

[riceburner]

You can add appsox 2 litres to your in-tank capacity by drilling some holes in the internal filler-neck (there's a write up somewhere on this forum). It's an easy mod and will get you another 20 miles or so of range.

I'm guessing that I ride a bit harder than you as I can get 160-175 before the light comes on, then there's about 40-45 miles 'on reserve'. So I can get 210 - 225 miles total from the tank.

Then of course there's the extra mile or so that gets caught in the left side of the tank 'saddle' - easily accessed by laying the bike down onto the right cylinder head then allowing it to tip 'over-top'. This obviously means the fuel flows over into the right side of the saddle so the pump can access it. Easier and quicker than pushing the bike that extra mile...

[sjbmw]

Video: Arctic circle on a RT.

http://vimeo.com/7780879

[pebmr]

I second Mundobravo's trip on his RT-run what you brung he says... He went to the arctic circle. I have thought about Alaska, and would take my R, and find a way to take more gas(Rotopax or a $5 2 gal gas can from WalMart...). My fuel light works only when it wants to, so I finally taped over it and use my tripmeter, it runs out of gas at 189 miles...

[bransan]

I second Mundobravo's trip on his RT-run what you brung he says... He went to the arctic circle. I have thought about Alaska, and would take my R, and find a way to take more gas(Rotopax or a $5 2 gal gas can from WalMart...). My fuel light works only when it wants to, so I finally taped over it and use my tripmeter, it runs out of gas at 189 miles...

pebmr, You had better rethink Your strategy. I can tell You from 60,000mi of riding My 04' R1150R, fuel mileage varies. Luggage, wind, speed all play a role in fuel mileage. I can get 180 mi before the gas light comes on and continue on to 200 mi easily with out running out. This is when I am the sole rider with no luggage and riding at 60- 70mph. Traveling across North Dakota on I 94 @ 85-95 mph, fully loaded with camping gear, I was getting 150mi before the gas light came on. These are just 2 examples, and your results will vary accordingly.

I experience the same thing on My snowmobile, 18 mpg when riding normal, 12-15 when getting after it or loaded down with luggage. The odometer is not a reliable tool for telling how much gas you have left. My philosophy is stop when gas is available.

[pebmr]

Bransan, My Alaska trip has no strategy at this time, just fleeting thoughts in my head... I would definitely bring additional fuel with on a trip like this, plan on about 40 mpg, and fill up before issues. I have run out twice at about 190, so look for gas at 160. Unfortunately, the trip odometer is the only tool my bike has since the light is pyschotic which is why it is not dark. My R consistently gets low 40's per gallon even when loaded down with camping gear at a good pace. Actually, I would take the new-to-me 650GS Twin, but I would not hesitate to take the R on a trip like that also. The R is a great all around bike, and I've ended up on many miles of gravel road lately with it.

[swamper]

I just am hesitant to have a plastic gas can strapped on as a reserve. It just looks like an unsafe way to carry fuel.

[pebmr]

Swamper:

There are more secure ways to carry fuel-check out the Rotopax/Kolpin or other brands which comes in 1-3 gal sizes or more, can be bolted down/mounted to various back racks, Pelican top cases, ..., or carried in cases. Some swear you don't need the additional fuel until the north end of the Haul Road, but I would personally want to take some the rest of the way. The liter MSR/similar fuel bottles can easily be carried in cases/bags/strapped in, you would just need more of them.

[swamper]

I think I'd at least want about another 50 mile cushion, so maybe have something around an extra 1.25 gallon. Also I realize the MPH vs MPG scale. A couple of long hauls out in the Nevada desert (Rachel, 375), I went 200 miles at 55-60 MPH, does make for a much longer ride but we made it with 52 MPG.

[Rider Rick]

You shouldn't have any real problems as long as you grab gas at every opportunity . I was supposed to take my R to the Circle in 2011 but life intruded. We'd mapped out our trip exhaustively, and also had the latest Mileposts and had called along the route to get reads on fuel availability. One of the bikes that did go was a 2001 Drifter, with a smallish tank, needed gas about every 120 or so. He only needed some extra one time, and it was because he was young and didn't think he'd run out of gas, lol, so he didn't fill up at a prudent time. We were all fixed up with two Kolpin 1-gal containers per bike, they fit inside the BMW luggage well, plus they would strap to about anything with the leak-proof spouts, etc. There are others you can find.

If you know your route (ours was up through North Dakota and on over on the AlCAN, through TOK into Alaska, then up the Haul Rd and first Circle point), you can plan fuel stops with some accuracy. Good luck, I still want to do it! Do yourself a favor and pack light as possible to incrementally improve your mileage, lol.

You may have more problem knowing when to stop and find lodging unless you reserve every day along a convervative miles-per-day route. My friends told me they would be riding along suddenly realize it was 10-11 PM and places shut down there at different times than in the US, lol.

[Lee Davis]

I have been to Alaska twice on my bikes (First time a Heritage Softtail, 2nd a 2004 R1150rt). You will not have any problems with gas. I even did the Cassiar highway (goes up along the BC coast from Prince Rupert) and didn't have any problems. My buddy at the time was riding a Honda Shadow, and I think he got maybe 150 miles max between refills. Never starved for gas... although close once. The Alaska highway is much more populated than you would imagine... the Cassiar is really the lonesome road. Also did the Mackenzie to Hay River, NWT with no trouble, and that is a road that has an arrow straight stretch for 900 miles! Gas should be the least of your concerns to Alaska. Lee Davis, New Mexico

[Lee Davis]

Alaska is no problem, unless you ride a sporster, and then you should fill up at every place you see. I did the Cassiar highway with a buddy that was riding a Honda Shadow (150 mile tops), and we made it without incident. The Alaska Highway is much more populated and has gas everywhere. Lee Davis

[Lee Davis]

A few more thoughts... The Alaska Highway is pavement the entire way, with many gas stations and restaurants along the way, sometimes every 20-50 miles. There is no need to carry extra containers of gas, ever. Now, rain is often an issue. I did the first 350 miles after Whitehorse in a hard constant rain. Good raingear saved me. The Cassiar (up the BC coast) is lots of gravel, but not really a problem. Plenty of gas. Good place to see bears too! The Mackenzie highway up to Great Slave lake and Hay River used to be a problem in the 70's for gas (and had a 950 mile straight as an arrow stretch on gravel), but I am figuring that it is much different now, although I have not done it since the 70's. On the Cassiar we were stopped at an overlook when a semi pulled up and said that a motorcycle was stopped with a flat tire about 10 miles further up the highway. We hurried up and sure enough, a fellow was alongside the road looking forlorn, with a flat on his R1150r. He had broken the tire from the rim on the rough gravel road and was completely flat. I pulled up and stopped without saying a word as I pulled my can of fix-a-flat out of my bags... then said "We have brought this can all the way from New Mexico for you... I hope you appreciate the trouble". He was flabbergasted! On his way in 20 minutes. Part of any repair kit on a bike should be a length of 1/4" rope with loops at each end the length of the circumference of the tire, so that with a stick inserted and twisted it acts as a tourniquet. We jerry rigged one so we could squeeze the tire to the rim so that the fix-a-flat would get some pressure started. Lee Davis R1150rt

[riceburner]

. Part of any repair kit on a bike should be a length of 1/4" rope with loops at each end the length of the circumference of the tire, so that with a stick inserted and twisted it acts as a tourniquet. We jerry rigged one so we could squeeze the tire to the rim so that the fix-a-flat would get some pressure started.

Now THAT is a damned good idea.

[SDMAX]

Last month did Alaska Port of Whittier to Seward, Seward to Anchorage to Tok to Border to Dawson YT; down the Yukon, down the Cassiar through BC to Seattle. Was on my 2007 R1200R; I had a larger windshield, Givi top case and side bags; dry bag across pillion; I didn't carry extra fuel although I had a siphon hose.

I don't see any reason to carry extra fuel. Anyway you do it you are going to be adding considerable weight. Weight needs to be kept down low. I took a lot of stuff out of the top case and put it in the dry bag to get the weight forward and lower. Take half of what you think you need.

I stopped for gas often; even if I had only gone 75 miles; it's good to take a quick break and just stay topped up. Getting gas just was not a problem. Weight is the problem. I did the Top of the World Hwy out of Tok on the Dust to Dawson and I had excellent weather which made it doable as I am NOT the big dual sport kind of rider.

I slowed down on the gravel and I took it easy; a couple of others crashed; cause in both was pressure from oncoming high speed opposite direction vehicles crowding the bike rider. Hey you can be right and you can be dead right; I could see someone coming and if it looked to be a threat I moved over to the right gravel rut or moved right and stopped. Auto tires cause two gravel ruts in each direction; the area between and the shoulder to the right are deeper gravel and dangerous.

Go do it. Get it done...This is amazing territory. I elected the Cassiar rather than the Alaskan Hwy across and down through Alberta/Calgary because of flooding and also because the Alaskan Hwy is their equivalent of big slab. Cassiar way more the way it used to be. Awesome.

[Lee Davis]

"Cassiar way more the way it used to be. Awesome."

I sure second that! Having done both the Alaska highway and the Cassiar, I would do the Cassiar again without hesitation. In one 100 mile stretch we saw 11 bears. Also, there is a sea cruise involved... A ferry over to Vancouver Island, up the length of the Island to Port Hardy, then the ferry to Prince Rupert, the start of the Cassiar. What an adventure! I have entered Alaska 6 times, but have never driven a car there... Twice, I entered by canoe, once on my sailboat at Kodiak Island, Once by power boat from Seattle to Sitka, and twice by motorcycle. The trip on the 1150rt up the Cassiar remains as the most memorable trip of them all. Lee Davis