Ive been looking at :spyder2: RT or a Goldwing. I really would like the :spyder2: but some of the trip's I would like to do are Alaska and ridding the continental divide. There will be a few rock and dirt roads { maybe allot }. Will I just be asking for trouble on the:spyder2: Can the belt be inclosed some how? Maybe a sprocket and chain kit for :spyder2: on these trips or just chose second best :sour: the Goldwing?
What do you mean by "riding the continental divide?" If you are referring to the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route," which was described by Clement Salvadori of Rider magazine as the greatest ride he'd ever taken in North America, neither a Gold Wing or Spyder is appropriate. As the name implies, this route was created by mountain bikers but the great majority of it can also be ridden by dirt worthy motorcycles. It's about 85% two track, 5-10% single track, and 5-10% paved. It stretches between Banff, Alberta and Antelope Wells, NM, on the US-Mexico border. Some of it could be ridden by a GW or Spyder but most of it would be difficult and not enjoyable on either of these machines, and some of the Route would be dangerous and neerly impossible (such as Lava Mountain Trail and Fleecer Ridge, in Montana). Even a larger dual sport/adventure bike, such as the R1200GS Bmw, has a difficult time on some of the terrain on this Route.
I own a Spyder, two dual sport bikes, and a dirt bike, and once owned a GW, and am an experienced dirt bike rider. I have ridden all of the Great Divide Route except Colorado, and the few stretches elsewhere that are off limits to motorized vehicles. Given that background my advice would be don't even think about doing the Great Divide Route on either a GW or Spyder, it that is what you were referring to as the continental divide.
My wife and I love our Spyder RT for two up touring but IMHO it is not a good off-pavement vehicle. It has very little ground clearance or suspension travel, and surprisingly poor traction, especially when attempting to climb on gravel or dirt. Certainly it can be gotten down a maintained gravel road without difficulty, but anything more difficult than that is not pleasant, at least as I see it.
I have never ridden from the lower 48 to Alaska, but I don't know of any reason this could not be enjoyably done on a Spyder, and in fact my wife and I are considering doing that some day. My understanding is that the highway is fully paved except for construction zones which can be fairly numerous because all repair work must be done over a short summer season.
Hope this is of some help. If you are referring to some other continental divide route I'm not familiar with it, and the comments above may not apply.
Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net
