This, afterall, a motorcycle trip, so what about the bike?

In 2004 I did a 7000+ mile trip to the Pacific Northwest, down the Pacific coast to Southern California, then back across the mid section of the country to my then home in Michigan. My two wheeled companion on that trip was a 2004 BMW R1150RT. The RT was, and is, a wonderful way to cover big miles in comfort, especially on major highways. I got just shy of 50 mpg on that trip and had no mechanical issues whatsoever. The knock, if there is one, against the RT is that it's a bit of a handful for someone of my (shall we say) "modest" stature. At 5' 7", 155 pounds and a 29" inseam I could usually manage the RT just fine but I never quite felt that I lived up to the model of Teutonic manhood that BMW had in mind for RT riders. Much of the time since that trip has been spent looking for a scooter that could somehow magically combine the on-road prowess of the RT with a modicum of off/unpaved road capability and do these things at a mass that I felt I could better manage. As I searched, I was also formulating a plan for this upcoming trip to Alaska. I knew I needed a bike that, when it inevitably got dropped over in some muddy truckstop in the Yukon, I would have some hope of picking it back up myself. Tempting alternatives were explored, then set aside for one reason or another. One bike that kept me coming back was the Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. However, for reasons that even I don't understand, I never quite got to the point of writing a check. Then, late in 2007 BMW announced the impending arrival of a new F800GS. Based on BMW's newer vertical twin engine , with features like chain drive and the usual BMW amenities (heated grips, ABS), and at an advertised weight some 100 lbs lighter than my RT, the F800GS called to me. Big Time! Around Christmas time of 08 I made a special trip the the Cycle World International Cycle Show in New York, primarily to see and throw a leg over a new F800GS. Sadly that same old bugaboo raised it's head. The F800 was clearly designed around 6 footers! Worse yet, BMW had announced that there would be a lower ride height version of the bike, named the F650GS, but (at the time) they indicated that it would not be available in the US. Crestfallen, I went back back to being confused. Then in June of last year I went on an Edelweiss Tour in the Alps and had the chance to actually ride one of the new European market F650GS' and it was everything I hoped it would. With sharp edged handling, light weight, and just the right size the F650 was as perfect for me as I had imagined. Carving the twisties in the Italian Alps brought unsurpassed grins to my face and the bike was equally solid on gravelly, wet and sometime snowy surfaces. I wanted one. Badly! Shortly after I returned from Europe my miracle happened - BMW announced that they would bring the F650GS to the US after all and they would begin arriving in September. Suffice to say I was spring loaded for action. I spec'd out a unit with the optional trip computer, Tire pressure monitoring, heated grips, ABS, center stand, the BMW side and topcase luggage system, the so-called tall windscreen, and hand protectors. I brought my new baby home on October 14, 2008. Clever timing, I'd have to say as, by the end of October we were embroiled in one of the crappiest winter and spring seasons in several years. Nonetheless I abided by the recommended breakin procedures and had the 600 mile initial service done in January. The bike now has about 1200 miles on it but in 7 weeks it should have 11 or 12,000!
Nary a problem so far and I hope to keep it that way. I have resisted the temptation to dress the bike up with too many farkles and, though I may come to regret the decision, I have forgone the temptation to equip it with engine crash bars and skid plates. If I was planning to make a run for Prudhoe Bay or the Arctic Circle on this trip I would probably have done so but the vast majority of my planned trip is on "paved" roads. At this point I'd rather keep it light. The only other items I've added are the Hepco & Becker wire mesh headlamp protector (there are LOTS of trucks on the Alaska highway tossing rocks at you.) and a Wolfman Rainier Tank Bag. I chose the Wolfman bag over the BMW factory accessory bag because it installs very easy and is not so tall and intrusive as the BMW unit. On thing I have given some thought to is tires. The original equipment Bridgestone Battle Wings seem good enough in the miles I've done to date, but I anticipate possibly having to replace tires sometime during the trip. Lately I've become enamored of the Michelin Anakees on my wife's 650GS Thumper and I'm gonna give them a good luck when the time comes. That's my bike story so far. Stay tuned to see how we make out over the next few weeks. Thanks for stopping by.
Jack

The 2009 Ride to Alaska for the Austin Hatcher Foundation is supported by
RevZilla Motorsports at RevZilla.com and by Hermy's Cycles in Port Clinton, PA