$2500 Versys 650 to the Arctic - ep2 Tuktoyaktuk

In this video I ride my $2500 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 past the Arctic Circle to Tuktoyaktuk at the top of Northwest Territories Canada and on the Arctic Ocean. Along the way, I stop at Dawson City to replace my front tire with a Continental TKC 80 to ease my way up the Dempster Highway and then ride the Alaska Highway home.

[@searlearnold2867]

A $2500 bike, 1 stolen jacket, 2 loose bolts, 1 leaky fork seal and a priceless bunch of memories. Great adventure !

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks for watching! Great comment, I appreciate that! 👍🏻

[@richarde3435]

Thanks for allowing an old man to go on this adventure with you vicariously! Just discovered you today and will continue to view your videos. The Bible references make it an even better blessing.

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much I really appreciate that! And thank you for blessing me with your viewing and commenting 👍🏻

[@richardmourdock2719]

Excellent video. In 2016, after eight years of riding, I rode up the Dempster as far as the Arctic Circle. This brought back some great memories. I visited the Arctic Circle on the summer solstice. The mosquitos were the biggest and meanest I have ever seen. I did the ride on a Goldwing at age 66 and made it to Eagle Plains without adding gas. Goldwings are great bikes.. I've been riding a Super Tenere since 2018 and would love to do it again, all the way to Tuk.. but now at age 72, it probably won't happen. Still a great adventure though. One that deserves respect and caution but rewards the rider with a lifetime of great memories. Prayer was a key to our safety and success, I think.

[@onemilemore541]

Nice, that’s great to hear! My dad has a Goldwing and yes, they are great bikes. I’d like to try out a Super Tenere someday. I think prayer is important for every day 👍🏻

[@andrewbozhozr]

You are never alone or helpless, the Force that guides the stars guides you to.

[@onemilemore541]

Amen brother! 👍🏻

[@MotoHikes]

Another great video! You're gonna blow up. Thoroughly loved seeing your journey to Tuktoyuktuk. And as a Versys 650 owner, thank you for showcasing what these much maligned machines can do!

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much! I’ve had many bikes and the Versys 650 is probably my favorite

[@papertiger795]

Thanks! That was fantastic. I'm probably going to watch it again tomorrow. You're way too good at this KZbin thing to stay a "small fry" for long. Just saying...

[@onemilemore541]

Wow, thank you so much! You’re the first person to give me a “super thanks”. I really appreciate it! And thanks for the encouragement. 👍🏻

[@papertiger795]

​@@onemilemore541hey, it's an investment in a gallon or two of fuel for your next adventure.

[@onemilemore541]

@@papertiger795 thank you again, that’s very cool of you!

[@smoberdeen]

Thank you for making and posting this video. This is the first video I've found of someone actually touring (bike camping) using the Versus 650. I bike camped on a bicycle with a trailer and just purchased a new 2023 Versus 650 LT ABS and looking forward to some touring.

[@onemilemore541]

@@smoberdeen so you’re one of those hard-core bicycle guys 😁 All the best with your touring. I found the Versys 650 to be a really fun bike. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@orionswitness]

12700km on the 23 model Versys , no issues , make sure you never replace a bent front brake lever with a non original copy. My front brake seized on a road at low speed after a mechanic replaced my bent lever.😮

[@onemilemore541]

@@orionswitness holy smokes! Almost 79,000 miles in a year?! You’re hard-core! Also speaks well for your Versys! Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻

[@tombeespoke9384]

Really enjoying your content, whilst I live in a very big country we have nothing that compares to North America. Tom, Sydney AUS.

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Tom! I love to hear from Australia as I have a soft spot for your country having spent seven months there. I would love to explore it by motorcycle someday.

[@Onewithsausage]

Great video. Low life's everywhere, stealing whatever they can. Sucks that some people never learn.

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks! Yeah, we live in an imperfect world… Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@druegeme]

so well made and narrated. You are truly blessed with the best sounding versys650 ever!

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks so much, and thanks for watching!

[@kurtvandoran8852]

Friend, I'm here to listen to someone say, "the Lord willing,..." as much as I am about watching a guy ride to somewhere I'll never go.

[@onemilemore541]

Not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Either way, I wish you blessings and thanks for watching and commenting. 👍🏻

[@canuckslions3439]

Great job on the videos, great work on the Versys!

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks, I sure appreciate it. And thanks for watching!

[@trashpandatrailadv]

Great vid, dude! I really appreciate your choice in bikes to, and giving one a second lease on life, keep at it, so I can keep consuming the content! haha

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much! I’ll do what I can. And thanks for watching and commenting!

[@sipeb7543]

Very enjoyable video. I appreciated that you used an ordinary motorbike anybody could buy.

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@johnmacdonald1878]

Very nice, I enjoyed it. You don't need a fancy ride. I rode up to Tuktoyaktuk June 23. For a coffee, a quick splash and a rock. I'm watching your film because I didn't film my ride. I did take lots of pictures with my phone. a few short clips when I was stopped. Definitely a trip worth taking. Next, I don't know, I haven't been across the continent yet. Maybe I will go get a rock from the Atlantic to add to my collection? Good luck with your channel.

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching and commenting!

[@furculitza1]

Proud to be among the first 1000 subs, when you’ll have millions, please remember us😁 Great video, I totally enjoyed it

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much, you are much appreciated!

[@ggillie250]

The best video so far, leaving next week, very encouraging, excellent thanks

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you and all the best on your trip! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@brentbutikofer9055]

What an excellent video of your adventure. This is one of the best Tuktoyaktuk videos I've seen. Thank you for sharing your trip with us!!!!

[@onemilemore541]

@@brentbutikofer9055 thank you for watching and commenting, I sure appreciate it!

[@geekcycle9368]

I did a run from Indiana up to Alaska in 2022. I loved Dawson City, honestly, I enjoyed the Yukon more than Alaska. That dirt road construction was the same way in '22 as well. Hopefully you didn't wait long for the pilot cars, I averaged about a half hour but heard of folks waiting longer. Great video! Really enjoyed it!

[@onemilemore541]

Yeah, the Yukon and British Columbia are pretty amazing! I was to the top of Alaska in 2017 and I’d like to get back there and explore some more someday. Thanks again for watching and commenting!

[@subspeciez]

What a pleasant surprise to find another upload of yours. Congratulations on hitting 1k. Here’s to 100k more!

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks for watching, and commenting!

[@Loger01]

This series will surely bring you an additional 10.000 subscribers at least. Best of luck, I'll be watching.

[@onemilemore541]

Wow, thank you! That many subscribers would certainly be handy 👍🏻 thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@SteTiernan-ns9dd]

Great video, rode up there in 2021 and 2023 from Ontario. Looks like you had an amazing trip !!!

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks so much! Yeah, I am already looking forward to going there again someday. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@deanfehr9445]

I’m in the research stage of doing the Dempster and your video is so well done and entertaining. It’s really the most informative I’ve come across. And I appreciate you putting your faith out there. Keep up the good work

[@onemilemore541]

Good for you, sometimes the research and anticipation is half the fun. I hope you get a chance to actually do the trip, it’s a great experience! Thanks so much for the kind words, I really appreciate it. It inspires me to keep making videos. I’ve gotten mixed feedback on including my faith in the video but the majority of it has been positive which is really encouraging. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! And God bless you on your trip!

[@weaver_1911]

What an amazing adventure! Beautifully captured, edited, and narrated as well. Keep the videos coming!!

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that!

[@weaver_1911]

@@onemilemore541 This video series inspired me to mount some bags and heated grips on my 2014 Versys 650. I doubt I'll ever travel as far as you did, but I'm definitely going somewhere!

[@onemilemore541]

@@weaver_1911 I love to hear about how my videos inspire other people. I didn’t go this far at first either. The short rides are where it starts 👍🏻😁

[@dougdoris8622]

I really enjoyed this video. Great photography and wonderful story.

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! Nice to hear that people might still be watching it. It took a lot of work… Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@joem5110]

Riding up there in two months. Can't wait.

[@onemilemore541]

Excellent, ride safe 👍🏻 And thanks for watching!

[@Rickmac22]

Congratulations! Great video, with a excellent narrative, on Versys 650 no less! Just rode Versys 650 on the PCH, but broke down and bought a Africa Twin for Alaskan run next summer. Thanks for the insight of the road, living quarters options, wildlife, and sharing the sights. Your drone footage really adds to your video.

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you! Blessings on your Alaska trip 👍🏻 Thanks for watching, and commenting!

[@JTinGA]

Nice ride -- glad you posted on the forum too 👍🏻

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks for watching and commenting, it’s much appreciated!

[@allenantonio4389]

Wonderful travels Brother ...

[@onemilemore541]

@@allenantonio4389 thanks man, I appreciate that and thank you for watching and commenting!

[@Avensur]

Inspiring indeed my friend! You just proved again to this moto world that the sky is the limit. Where a $30k 600 pnd bike can take you, a descent good torque and HP 650cc will take you beyond the limit. Dedication, trust, and perseverance!

[@onemilemore541]

Wow, thank you sir, I appreciate it! And thanks for watching!

[@donaldmaclean4842]

Really good video, I can say that I really enjoyed it.

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching and commenting!

[@derekandleonie5636]

Awesome adventure and video Thanks from Oz ✌

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you I sure appreciate it! I love hearing from Australians! 👍🏻

[@user-jt4de7di5f]

Great bike, trip & video… Thanks for having us long for the ride, I enjoyed it (+ I’ll tune in for the next one) God Bless you on your travels.

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much! And thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻

[@gungho6798]

Awesome. This video prompted me to go . This June.

[@onemilemore541]

That’s great to hear! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻

[@jamesspurling]

Another amazing video! I’m so happy to see how it all went for you!

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks so much, and thanks for watching!

[@Tired_wirey_brandy_look.]

Enjoyed both those videos. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you so much, that’s great to hear! And thank you for watching and commenting!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

I feel your pain on all levels. KZbin is a fickle place that sometimes seems like it’s run by Muppets.. But I almost think Kermit could do as good a job 🐸 I’m liking what you’re doing and envy you and your journey. I have three bikes myself (Two 2020 Honda Monkeys and a 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan, I know two Honda Monkeys actually make one full size bike) that I want desperately to do a long journey on.. So from one KZbinr/adventurer to another, you’re doing a fine job!! Willie

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks so much, Willie! Lord willing, one of my next adventures is going to be on something pretty similar to your Honda Monkeys. It didn’t make the video, but I also saw a couple riding across Canada on Groms. If you want to do an adventure on a Honda Monkey, then by all means, go for it! I think that sounds like a great idea 👍🏻

[@matthewdittrich2976]

Very cool that you did this on a Versys 650. I had one and I traded it for a Versys X 300. The X 300 is a surprisingly fantastic motorcycle. I love both o those Versys. Good for you for taking on all that terrain with the 17" front tire. I had a front tire tuck on my on the Versys 650 in a deep gravel corner that I did not have enough skill to keep the bike rubber side down, but I was oh so close to saving it. Very amazing adventure you have here and your filming, editing and narration are excellent.

[@papertiger795]

I like my x300 more today than I did the day I bought it 15 months ago. There isn't much it isn't adequate for. I'm taking it on a long trip in June, from South Florida to upstate New York, and back. I'm sure it's up to the task.

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks so much! Sorry to hear about your tire tuck. That kind of stuff can really shake a guy up all the best on your future rides. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@strvenoconnell4061]

You have great videos, nice motorcycle, looks like you had fun

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you, I did! And thanks for watching!

[@Coolbuilds-tj4cp]

I love your videos

[@onemilemore541]

@@Coolbuilds-tj4cp thanks so much! I’m guessing you’re one of the guys I met at the Iola Car Show who were riding those cool e-bikes. Nice meeting you and thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Coolbuilds-tj4cp]

@@onemilemore541 your welcom

[@CLP2102]

another epic video!!!! completely under rated channel.

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you, I really appreciate that! And thanks for watching!

[@guydwyer1645]

Great video thank you

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@RedStarMotoworks]

Loving the new series! Also, congrats on the 1k subs! Your videos and editing are beyond par compared to the other creators I watch. Canada looks great and very scenic. Looking forward to the next video already.

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that! And thanks for watching and commenting!

[@medic001465]

Well done, great video.

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks, I appreciate that! And thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ubertalldude]

Awesome adventure loving the videos. Congrats on 1000 subs

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks so much, and thanks for watching and commenting!

[@misfitfarm1937]

Glad I found your channel

[@onemilemore541]

I’m glad you did too. Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍🏻

[@vanveen8472]

great video and nicely put together story, thank you, I had a Versys for 10 years and they are comfortable touring machines and economical

[@onemilemore541]

I’ve had many bikes in the past but think this Versys might be my favorite. It just seems to be a playful bike with just enough power. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@bobnboof397]

Thanks for the great videos. Just amazing country. Cherrs from Victoria Australia

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks for watching and commenting! And hello Australia!! 👍🏻

[@alharris1508]

Good morning from South Africa 🇿🇦. I enjoy your videos tremendously. May I ask what is that little jack-stand thingy called, you used when you changed your front tire? Safe journey & looking forward to your next upload.. God Bless

[@onemilemore541]

Well, good morning South Africa! Great to hear from you! I’m just about to go to bed 😁 I don’t recall the exact name of the jackstand thing that I have. But it’s a knock off of what I remember being called a “pack jack”. I haven’t looked recently, but I’m sure there’s lots of different styles. One detail that I left out of the bike build video is that I drilled a hole in my skid plate to allow me to use that pack jack for the front wheel. Without the skid plate, I’m not sure what I would do. Thanks for watching and commenting! And God bless you as well 👍🏻

[@AllenSpeck]

So glad I found your channel. Looks awesome.

[@onemilemore541]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@rickd9900]

Excellent!

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@flyovercounty1427]

What a great trip

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulcamino5034]

Your leaking fork seal maybe just the forks are binding on that axle when you changed the front tire, I always had luck just cleaning the seal like you did

[@onemilemore541]

Possibly. I kept cleaning the seals on the way and thought they weren’t leaking at all by the time I got home. But now after sitting, they’re definitely still leaking. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@skulijakobsson5116]

Much Enjoyment 👍😎

[@skulijakobsson5116]

I own a 2016 versys 650 here in Iceland. Want to get Shinko 705 tires for gravel fun. How did the front fender extender hold up? Is it a worthy add-on for gravel ?

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@adamperkins9490]

Love the video, love the narration. If you were to do it again, what would you change?

[@onemilemore541]

That’s a great question. I would definitely install neoprene fork gaitors to save my fork seals and then I would’ve continued riding into Alaska! Thanks for watching and commenting, I sure appreciate it.

[@scottfarraway34]

Love seeing God’s Word paired with motorcycle videos!

[@onemilemore541]

I feel some of my best times of worship are from the seat of my bike

[@scottfarraway34]

@@onemilemore541 Amen!

[@scottfarraway34]

He is risen!

[@onemilemore541]

@@scottfarraway34 He is risen indeed! 👍🏻

[@TheLRC]

Funny how similar northern America is to Norway 🙂

[@onemilemore541]

Interesting, I know my family settled in Wisconsin because it was supposed to be similar to Sweden. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@orionswitness]

Hi Great video , fantastic Versys advert😊…I admire your spirit and skills…that wheel lifter ? Who makes that? Would it lift a 218kg wet Versys ?

[@onemilemore541]

@@orionswitness thanks, I appreciate that! Yeah, the pack jack should handle that weight no problem. Here’s a link to the short video I made on the topic: kzbin.info8k4tLfTtSHk?si=dITPqzueWzHgT9gW Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@dougiverson4297]

I enjoyed the video and the work you did with all the cameras. How do you find operating the drone from on the bike? Do you just use simplistic controlling? Which drone is it? Lastly, the key about carrying fuel is the last 80 km up to Eagle Plains can get pretty bad. If you needed to turn back anywhere past your halfway fuel point, you may have no choice but to continue to Eagle Plains for fuel.

[@onemilemore541]

That’s a good point about knowing the halfway point in the range of the bike. To be honest, I’ve never actually ran it out but was pretty confident I had enough. That’s a good question as far as how I controlled the drone while riding. I have a quad lock mount for my phone and the same style mount on the back of the drone remote. You can see in the windy section of the video I have the controller mounted. However, it is still difficult to control smoothly. The drone is a DJI Mavic mini 2. I’m thinking I’ll do a short video on how I mounted it. Thanks for the question and for watching!

[@frostbitevinnie]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing! So what's the plan for '24?

[@onemilemore541]

One idea is to ride the last provinces of Canada I’ve yet to see on the eastern coast. As far east as I can go. I’ve also got an idea to ride a much smaller bike on a much smaller adventure that I think could be quite entertaining. There’s a few other ideas rattling around in my brain. We’ll see where the Lord guides me. Thanks for watching, and commenting!

[@frostbitevinnie]

@@onemilemore541 sounds good! I'm on the same track to small bike adventures. It's the Tdub for my trip east to west. He is risen!

[@onemilemore541]

@@frostbitevinnie sounds like a great idea! He has risen, indeed! 👍🏻

[@davechavis4275]

Going july 5th.

[@onemilemore541]

Good to hear, all the best on your trip! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@fred7705]

Awesome video and trip! What brand is that monopod tire change jack? I subbed! Cheers from Quebec city!

[@onemilemore541]

@@fred7705 kzbin.info8k4tLfTtSHk?si=vFXItzrF4JllU7hr

[@onemilemore541]

@@fred7705 thanks so much, I sure appreciate that! Here’s the link to a short I made about that jack. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@onemilemore541]

@@fred7705 a.co/d/0bEGWFXB

[@_Corsa]

Fantastic! What is the name of that drone intro composition @15:20?

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks! All my drone shots are with a DJI Mavic mini 2. Thanks for watching!

[@jimschiess2138]

Which rear tire were you running? Loved your vid.

[@onemilemore541]

Motoz tractionator GPS. Episode one goes through much more detail. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@onemilemore541]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJa9g31uirSNh5osi=hbvTVe4pit6vdwa7

[@madvince1337]

Congrats on your 1100subs! I like your channel and the way your videos are created. Especially the fact that you tend to be aware of your environment and don't try to be "the perfect rider" (=show your mistakes). The only thing that stands out as a huge negative point to me is religion. I don't care what your religion is and I honestly think religion and politics has no place in motorcycling. It's probably part of what you consider really important and identify with and I'll probably still enjoy your videos but whenever that topic comes up, it'd be weird to me.

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks! I appreciate your comment about mentioning religion. I understand it can be weird for people with different values. I definitely try not to push it onto anyone, but it’s part of who I am and will likely come up again. I definitely like to hear other peoples perspective and was curious what others thought about that. Thanks so much for bringing it up and watching and commenting!

[@madvince1337]

@@onemilemore541 From my experience, the motorcycle community as a whole is a really tolerant group where your income, politics, religion, colour or whatever don't really matter. That is why I don't find it particularly good to have that combined. I personally don't have any religion and I also don't want one. But especially religion and politics is always a highly problematic topic. It's your choice in the end, I still love your videos.

[@onemilemore541]

@@madvince1337 I agree, we motorcyclists seem to come together in spite of our differences because of our love for motorcycling. However, politics and religion are very controversial… Thanks again for your input 👍🏻

[@MontanaDirtRoads]

Looked like ya went through Mobridge south dakota then into baker mt

[@onemilemore541]

That sounds about right 👍🏻 thanks for watching!

[@MontanaDirtRoads]

@onemilemore541 sucks your jacket got jacked, I don't trust anyone so that kinda stuff goes with me everywhere unfortunately.

[@onemilemore541]

@@MontanaDirtRoads yeah, I’ve been overly trusting for many years and it finally bit me. I’ll be taking it with me now…

[@MontanaDirtRoads]

@onemilemore541 congrats on your 1k subs btw, been at this a while and just passed 500,doing what I do and not sharing locations to the places I go definitely hurts me but I'm fine with that knowing I'm not contributing to these areas demise lol

[@onemilemore541]

@@MontanaDirtRoads thank you sir, all the best with your channel as well 👍🏻

[@surlyfan]

How did you like that Bogota jacket?

[@onemilemore541]

I really like the jacket, just having a heckuva time finding the matching pants… They seem to be nowhere. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@surlyfan]

@@onemilemore541 thank you! It’s on the top of my list for a touring suit and my (hopefully) trip to Tuk next summer.

[@greentravelingmachine]

2500 for a 16 versys steal city

[@onemilemore541]

Yeah, I was pretty happy with that deal. Especially now 👍🏻 I definitely don’t do that well on all my purchases… Lost quite a bit of money on my KTM I had before the Versys.