Alaska
 

Hi,
just in the process of trying to plan a visit/trip to Alaska.
I am based in central England and intend to hire a Bike in the Vancouver area and spend 3 weeks touring Alaska,would anyone have any knowledge of routes or the best time of year to do this type of trip.
I've also considered freighting my own bike over there, i am fortunate to have the choice of a 1200 GS or Honda Goldwing but i'm not sure what type of bike will fit the bill. ANY IDEA'S?

If you are going to want to explore some of the dirt highways you'd be making life a lot easier for yourself if you used the GS in my view...

The Goldwing would cope with the dirt highways and the areas of construction that you are bound to encounter - but the GS may just have the edge.

If you are staying on tarmac - could be a different story...

As far as hire companies - if you want to tour Alaska I'd hire in Alaska !! Gives you more time in the heart of what you want to see...

The best to contact would be Motoquest Tours based in Anchorage. Motorcycle Tours Around the World | MotoQuest Tours They are happy to hire bikes to individuals without you having to join a tour. Having said that the tours are good too... And, unlike the others in Alaska like Edelweiss they are happy for you to take the bikes off road. Edelweiss won't allow you to ride the Dalton for example.

Many thanks, Mel

Depending on how far north you intend to go, the best time for traveling Alaska/Northwest Canada is June-August. I've have seen snow and 31 deg. F on July 30th, north of Brooks Mountain Range (Dalton Hwy)

Can only agree with above advice. I bought a bike from Motoquest and I know they are happy to hire them out and they are all in good working order.. Check out there website.

You will need at least 10 days to give Alaksa justice, and it would take 7 + days to get down to Vancouver. I'd consider (if you only have 3 weeks) to just "do" Alaska.

when are you thinking of doing the trip?

Still trying to get some feedback on the best time of year from a weather point of view, but my thoughts are june/july 2011.

Perfect...

Anywhere between June and September is good general timing but if I had to narrow it down to two months I would say July and August. Now if I had to pick 3 weeks within those two months, it would be a bit of a crapshoot as to which month would be better in any given year.

Last week of June thru August will work temperature wise. But I believe you get into the rainy season towards late July. Temps should be fine. Temps swings are normal up that way. Don;t use the wing if you plan to take some gravel roads. But if most all travel will be on tarmac, it should do fine.

I'm heading up that way in late June of 2012. Will be taking a GS Adventure. I will be going up to Prudhoe Bay. Will hit Alaska sometime in late 1st week f July to early 2nd week. Seems to work best for me.