Man has yet to build the perfect machine that wont fail, it doesn't exist. If you go by that one failure, then you will never have a machine that will be 100% trustable to make a long distance journey. I too have owned over 40 bikes throughout my riding career. Everything from BMW, two Honda Goldwings, Moto Guzzi, several Triumps and a plethora of bikes from the Japanese big four. Some had issues right off the showroom floor, others had issues a year or two after purchase, but none of them were perfect. Even one of the most reliable two wheelers made, one of my Goldwing GL 1800's had a complete ECU failure within the first year, that was replaced under warranty. That was an $1800 repair. They are machines, they will break.
Agree 100%! All to often we let our tools/vehicles, whatever dictate our quality of life, and what we can do! If this were a car, you'd get it fixed, pack the trunk and go. Get the repair taken care of, pack the bike and go. Have a good roadside package and VISA. Worst case is bike stays where it fails, you fly home, get trailer and go pick it up.
Head to Alaska, Dawson City. Very few places to get anything up there. Our trip in 2019 to Dawson City from Victoria was uneventful, but there were lots of people who had RV, vehicle issues in the middle of nowhere. 7 days was not unheard of for a fix, sometimes a round trip of some 400 Kms just to pick up parts, and you did the work yourself. When we did the trip on my ex-1500, Sonya asked about a breakdown and what I was going to do about it. I mentioned that I had serviced the 1500 as much as I could and if it broke down, had a good roadside package and VISA. Took additional communications such as a Garmin Explorer, can always get in touch with someone.
In 2017 headed to Big Sur Park in California on my '85 Goldwing Limited Edition from Victoria BC for one night of camping to meet some of the fellows I corresponded with on a forum. Went over the '85 with a fine tooth comb, and it was mentioned by some on the forum that I did more maintenance/work to the '85 for this trip then some ever did on their Goldwing. Sonya was flying into LA and we were going to travel back up the coast for a nice tour. The issue here was the same, if the bike failed, roadside package and VISA, but I did everything necessary and within reason to ensure nothing would happen when Sonya and I headed north from LA. If the pillion is not happy, makes for a frosty Friday evening so to speak. Trouble free riding home.
Bought an '85 Goldwing Limited Edition in 2017 after it sat in the back forty of this fellows home in Ontario. The following June went back to northern Ontario to my brother's place, did 2 weeks work/maintenance, packed up and headed cross Canada to home in Victoria. Same deal again. Great trip, saw friends and family and had a great time.
People will travel 10,000 miles a year in their local area without a mishap, but mention to them to go for a trip with the same vehicle and the fear factor sets in. If your Spyder starts to act up, turn around and go home, at least you tried.
Great sounding trip, don't want to years from now say coulda, woulda, shoulda. At the end of the day, it's not those that have the most toys that win, but those who have the least regrets. Don't let this be one of your regrets.
Just a thought. Go on your trip, enjoy.
