Daytona 1200 suitable for Trans Canadian ?

[Big Dave UK]

Hi all,

I am new to HU and have currently got a thread running in the North American section of the HUBB with general questions about my intended trans candian (and maybe bit of alaska too) trip. I have posted here for specific queries about my bike. The bike i hope to use is my beloved black 1997 Triumph Daytona 1200, only 15,000 miles on the clock, just about to go in for service and durable touring tyre change and preperation for trip.

I dont have hard luggage but intended to use durable waterproof soft luggage for the trip that i am familar with, and will keep the weight down. The route i hope to follow is to begin in anchorage then via vancouver to finish in ottowa! I am a tarmac\pavement rider only (obvious i guess) I intend to fit heated grips, scottoiler and fender extender, is there anything else i should do to the bike to prepare for the journey? Also does anybody have any knowledge of sport a touring tyre that will give my rear tyre a life of more than 4000 miles preventing me from having to get a new tyre when in Canada?

Will taking a big heavy bike like mine hamper my ability to sight see on my quest from west to east? My original intention was to follow the path of the trans canadian highway, but I have been advised by those in the know that this isn't best for sight seeing (a bit like riding up the M1 expecting to know what the UK is like i suppose) so like i say will my big tona 12 be a liability if i stray off onto minor roads. I have toyed with the idea of changing to a tiger of similar vintage but i am attached to my Daytona and have that familiarity 'comfort' factor with my bike having already used it for touring in the UK and a bit of neighbouring europe.

I intend to probably do an oil change at some point on the road, but what would be a good package of spares or tools to take should i need to performany roadside or campsite repairs? Are Hinkley trumpet spares an issue in Canada?

Thankyou for taking the trouble to read this. I appreciate that those of you who are longer served members of this site may have seen such a query before but any feedback or help or emails would be genuinely appreciated, remember what it was like when you planned your first big foreign trip.