Anyone interested in a James Bay Highway tour to Radisson/James Bay week of August 5?
- Thread starter Motorcycle Mike
- Start date
Motorcycle Mike
Well-known member
Actually it seems that he may have luck on his side.
I haven't talked to him yet so I don't know how much the truck driver charged him for the lift, but in R.N. he apparently just had to wait one day until the part came in and a shop fixed his bike. He sent me a text message yesterday saying he was in Radisson; so he ended up doing the trip on his own!
Jason Bourne
Well-known member
Did the guy on the Street Glide comment on the comfort of the bike after that long haul?
Motorcycle Mike
Well-known member
Everyone, with the exception of me, complained about the frost heaves and their suspension. Ask user cinner regarding that Harley.
I highly recommend taking a bike with taller suspension... the kawasaki zxr1100 developed serious axle problems likely due to bottoming out too many times on frost heaves. The V-strom had no issues at all, as I don't think it bottomed out at all.
Saying that though, the harley did surprisingly well. No issues keeping up, the best fuel range (made it over 400km/tank), and decent mileage. The only issues were the lid of one of the cases fell off on the washboard gravel leading to James Bay and the headlight got water inside and fogged up during our day of rain.
+1 one on the frost heave issue - gets old real fast.
Only bottomed the Burgman 650 once at speed but it stayed very stable in the sweeper and certainly jarred the rider rather severely. I can still see that damn turn.
There ARE some decent stretches but things will shake loose given the distance and sharp bumps.
Buddy down here on the Duc was having no issue with the minor frost heaves on PA6 and I was getting seriously annoyed.
VStrom or most any adventure bike an ideal ride for The James Bay Road.
http://www.jamesbayroad.com/
It's worth it .....once
Did you guys see any wildlife.??
Seeing the caribou running in the bush beside me was a highlight of the trip.
Buddy ahead on the VStrom going even faster floated over it. .....grr.
zrxter
Well-known member
i rode the ZRX from Radisson to Rouyn Noranda yesterday (904 km in 11.5 hrs). The frost heaves didn't cause the wheel bearing problem, they just revealed a weakness that was my fault. This is my 2nd season riding the ZRX and I've put more than 43 000 kms on it in that time. I should have changed the wheel bearings before the trip. Any well maintained street bike can easily make the trip if they are wary & respectful of the worst bumps. That said, I had the bike up to ....very high speeds ... on the nicest sections. I have the Twisted throttle dry bags and a Bags Connection tank bag (w rain cover) and have never had a leak. I wear Gore Tex pants and jacket from MEC over my bike gear, Sidi Canyon Gore Tex boots and Dainese Gore Tex light weight gloves and was completely dry riding in heavy rain yesterday. It was cold and long underwear and merino wool (from MEC) kept me warm. I also highly recommend the Michelin Pilot Road 3 tires. Their grip in the rain was amazing. i also highly recommend Clarity Defogit wipes for keeping the visor clear while riding in rain. Pics to follow after I get home. Oh yes...the transport truck driver (Dom Michaud) that picked me up.....he would have done it for free but gave him $100. for ride from km 235 on JB Road to Rouyn-Noranda where he set me up w Kawasaki dealer/ cab/ hotel. I was very lucky! Thanks Vince for waiting with me 'til I got help and lending me the 100$.
Last edited:
Re: Anyone interested in a James Bay Highway tour
Just curious was the final leg to coats gravel or not?
I think you are on a different road OR you really didn't get to the coast. Care to point out the gravel road to the coast on a map?
there is only one road out of Radisson towards James Bay and then it splits off to Chisisabi
There IS a fork on that road that might be what you are talking about but the road to Chissabi is paved - then there was available out of there another deep gravel ( at the time ) road that led to the coast.
The gravel was way too deep for a road bike to do the 12 km to the coast - maybe it was fresh or something.....and I'm not afraid of taking a road bike on dirt and gravel.
Has to be that fork off to the right as you are heading to Chisisabi
as it goes right out to the bay. At least on GoogleEarth that section is in high def - the rest of that road is blurry
Looks like that is the boat storage and launching area
Just curious was the final leg to coats gravel or not?
Motorcycle Mike
Well-known member
Re: Anyone interested in a James Bay Highway tour
There are, in fact, two routes to The James Bay up there... both start out by taking the road to Chisasabi.
One route, the route to Longe Point, involves riding over LG-1 and taking 40km of gravel to The James Bay. We were running late that day do to the break down so we didn't get a chance to check that route out. The beginning of that route looked rough though -- loose gravel and washboard.
The other route is the more common one were you pass by the south side of Chisasabi, turn left passed the fenced area, head towards the Fort George barge but take the left fork. It is about 15km of gravel, and when we were there was very rough... bad washboard along with loose gravel made for slow going.
There are, in fact, two routes to The James Bay up there... both start out by taking the road to Chisasabi.
One route, the route to Longe Point, involves riding over LG-1 and taking 40km of gravel to The James Bay. We were running late that day do to the break down so we didn't get a chance to check that route out. The beginning of that route looked rough though -- loose gravel and washboard.
The other route is the more common one were you pass by the south side of Chisasabi, turn left passed the fenced area, head towards the Fort George barge but take the left fork. It is about 15km of gravel, and when we were there was very rough... bad washboard along with loose gravel made for slow going.
Motorcycle Mike
Well-known member
Re: Anyone interested in a James Bay Highway tour
Not that I recall. I know I saw lots of old sleds in Radisson on front yards, but I don't think I saw any down by the shore.
Not that I recall. I know I saw lots of old sleds in Radisson on front yards, but I don't think I saw any down by the shore.
