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Our most frequent long trips are 600+ miles one way to see family.
Ideally that’s a 2-3-4 times a year thing.
With gas and quick fill-ups, it can comfortably be done in one day, but it’s pushing it.
30-45 minutes 3-4 times waiting for electric charging would possibly make this a 2 day trip.
Any car we spend money on must absolutely be able to make this trip. Also, any car we buy must also be well below $20k.
Electric just isn’t there yet.
Yea, the well below $20K is the part that makes this undoable. The 30-45 minutes 3-4 times doesn't need to be the case with some of the electric vehicles now unless there are no faster DC chargers on the route you'd take (what are the endpoint cities?) as there are electric vehicles where a single less than 30 minute stop possibly much less or two less than 15 minute stops can do it, but that's not available for well below $20K. That's going to have to be the used vehicle market something like a decade or so out. Less than $20K right now (like immediately) would be like a Nissan Leaf with tax credit or a used Leaf, used Bolt, or used Cooper SE and any of these three would be more along the lines of the time you stated for charging or more. The Leaf would be particularly hard because you may not even have sufficient CHAdeMO chargers along the way and used Leaves often have substantial battery degradation due to lack of active thermal management.
Does your household have more than one vehicle though? Perhaps all but one of them (to be used for long trips for the time being) can be replaced by an EV then provided you have a pathway to charging at home.
Yea, the well below $20K is the part that makes this undoable. The 30-45 minutes 3-4 times doesn't need to be the case with some of the electric vehicles now unless there are no faster DC chargers on the route you'd take (what are the endpoint cities?) as there are electric vehicles where a single less than 30 minute stop possibly much less or two less than 15 minute stops can do it, but that's not available for well below $20K. That's going to have to be the used vehicle market something like a decade or so out. Less than $20K right now (like immediately) would be like a Nissan Leaf with tax credit or a used Leaf, used Bolt, or used Cooper SE and any of these three would be more along the lines of the time you stated for charging or more. The Leaf would be particularly hard because you may not even have sufficient CHAdeMO chargers along the way and used Leaves often have substantial battery degradation due to lack of active thermal management.
Does your household have more than one vehicle though? Perhaps all but one of them (to be used for long trips for the time being) can be replaced by an EV then provided you have a pathway to charging at home.
If we had an electrical connection in our covered parking then a Nissan Leaf would be a perfect commuter vehicle for me and we would use my wife’s Hyundai Kona for trips. Wife rarely ever drives and my 2015 Elantra (bought new in early 2025) only has 52,000 miles. My round trip work commute is 18 miles with 19 traffic lights.
If we had an electrical connection in our covered parking then a Nissan Leaf would be a perfect commuter vehicle for me and we would use my wife’s Hyundai Kona for trips. Wife rarely ever drives and my 2015 Elantra (bought new in early 2025) only has 52,000 miles. My round trip work commute is 18 miles with 19 traffic lights.
Yea, the Leaf is a great strictly commuter park if you have a pathway to charge at home. Pretty spacious for its size and you can get one new or used for pretty cheap especially a used one with significant degradation--if the range after battery degradation is still within easy range of your commute though, it's a pretty decent choice since that also gets reflected in the purchase price. It's terrible for long distance trips, probably the worst of all currently produced EVs in the US given its use of CHAdeMO, but as you've noted, if you have another vehicle in the household for that, then you're all good.
My neighbor just bought a new Explorer, and a boat to tow with it. My son already has an F150 with V8 but just bought a 32' travel trailer. Not everyone is running off to buy a small car just because of gas prices. So far in 2022 the F150 is still #1 in sales, with the Toyota Highlander large SUV 4th.
If I had to commute while still have fun during a dry summer, a small automobile would be good, but nothing would beat a Campagna T-REX tricycle. It is powered by a motorcycle engine, although it probably costs a small fortune (maybe that's why they went out of business?). However, those who bought this vehicle in the '90s have somehow maintained them through the years. I see lots of parts for it on sale at eBay and other places. The price back then started at $65,000, I believe.
For now my cheap 2012 Corolla has been quite frugal on fuel and very reliable, so it will have to do.
A lot of Europeans ride motorcycles through Canada and Alaska. But the motorcycles they ride look like they are around 250cc or smaller. I saw several of them riding through Fairbanks this afternoon. I often see RVers from Europe driving in Alaska and Canada, but I have no idea about which ports in Canada they disembark from. Electric bikes should be fine for short trips within the city, I imagine, but they are uncommon over here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RetireinPA
europeans make do with far less cy-wise. they use graduated licenses over there...more training and TESTING to move up in displacement. I have been told by many people that by the time a european gets qualified for litre class...they can come to the states and win any motoGP in the states. 90-250cc are their bread and butter. (I just saw a couple brand new CT125s this elderly couple hauled to the campground...they set up the rv and explored the wilderness rec area at 70mpg...Id love to have a couple but the $4k base entry is, well, steep)
Quote:
Originally Posted by RayinAK
Yes, the 250cc motorcycles seem to be the most polar with long distance riders arriving to Alaska...
Does anyone know which 250cc bikes are common for Europeans to bring here to ride? Some are more powerful than some may think but I haven't looked at them in a long time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OutdoorLover
There are Chinese motorcycles available at a savings relative to the Hondas, but I imagine Honda gives you a better product, plus parts and service will be easy for Hondas - they are the global sales leader - maybe not so much for some small volume import.
I don't know what the quality of Chinese motorcycles are as I write this. Maybe 10 years ago I read a report on one of them by one of the motorcycle magazines. The valve stem bent after only several hundred miles.
I don't know how prominent Chinese bikes are within China but I think many people in less developed countries are more inclined to buy a used 90cc Honda or something like that.
Our most frequent long trips are 600+ miles one way to see family.
Ideally that’s a 2-3-4 times a year thing.
With gas and quick fill-ups, it can comfortably be done in one day, but it’s pushing it.
30-45 minutes 3-4 times waiting for electric charging would possibly make this a 2 day trip.
Any car we spend money on must absolutely be able to make this trip. Also, any car we buy must also be well below $20k.
Electric just isn’t there yet.
If you want to do that with a single stop for charging, then
2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range MSRP: From $55,990 Range: 358 mi battery-only
If you want to do it for less than $20K with tax incentive, you'll be lucky to make it in two days.
114 miles 2022 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop 2 Door
149 miles 2022 Nissan Leaf (40 kW-hr battery pack) ~$20K with tax incentive
181 miles 2022 Audi e-tron S (21" or 22" wheels)
185 miles 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback(21/22" wheel)
199 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan 4S Perf Battery
200 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan Perf Battery
201 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo S
202 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo
204 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo
208 miles 2022 Audi e-tron S (20" wheels)
212 miles 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback (20" wheels)
212 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo
215 miles 2022 Nissan Leaf SV/SL (62 kW-hr battery pack)
215 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo
215 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo
218 miles 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback quattro
220 miles 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD (Standard Range)
222 miles 2022 Audi e-tron quattro
223 miles 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge twin
224 miles 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD
225 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan Perf Battery Plus
226 miles 2022 Nissan Leaf (62 kW-hr battery pack)
226 miles 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge twin
227 miles 2022 BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe (20" Wheels)
227 miles 2022 Porsche Taycan 4S Perf Battery Plus
230 miles 2022 Ford F150 PICKUP LIGHTNING 4WD
232 miles 2022 Audi RS e-tron GT
232 miles 2022 Kia EV6 RWD (Standard Range)
238 miles 2022 Audi e-tron GT
239 miles 2022 Kia Niro Electric
241 miles 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron quattro
241 miles 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback quattro
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245 miles 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S
247 miles 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV (BEV)
247 miles 2022 Ford Mustand Mach-E RWD
249 miles 2022 Polestar 2 Dual Motor
251 miles 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro
256 miles 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD (Long Range)
258 miles 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric
259 miles 2022 Chevy Bolt EV (BEV)
260 miles 2022 Ford Mustand Mach-E GT Performance
270 miles 2022 BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe (19" Wheels)
270 miles 2022 Ford Mustand Mach-E GT
270 miles 2022 Polestar 1 Single Motor
272 miles 2022 Tesla Model 3 RWD
274 miles 2022 Kia EV6 AWD (Long Range)
277 miles 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD Extended
279 miles 2022 Tesla Model Y AWD
280 miles 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro
282 miles 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe (19" Wheels)
300 miles 2022 Ford F150 LIGHTNING PLATINUM 4WD
301 miles 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe (18" Wheels)
303 miles 2022 Ford Mustand Mach-E RWD Extended
303 miles 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD (Long Range)
303 miles 2022 Tesla Model Y Performance AWD
305 miles 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 (21" Wheels)
310 miles 2022 Kia EV6 RWD (Long Range)
311 miles 2022 Tesla Model X Plaid (22" Wheels)
312 miles 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 Extended Range AWD
314 miles 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 Extended Range RWD
314 miles 2022 Rivian R1T (Pickup Truck)
315 miles 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 (22" Wheels)
315 miles 2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD
316 miles 2022 Rivian R1S (SUV)
320 miles 2022 Ford F150 PICKUP LIGHTNING 4WD Extended Range
324 miles 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 (20" Wheels)
330 miles 2022 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
333 miles 2022 Tesla Model X Plaid (20" Wheels)
340 miles 2022 Mercedes EQS 580 4MATIC
348 miles 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid (22" Wheels)
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350 miles 2022 Mercedes EQS 450+
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396 miles 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid (19" Wheels)
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451 miles 2022 Lucid Air Dream P AWD w/21" wheels
469 miles 2022 Lucid Air Grand Touring AWD w/21" wheels
471 miles 2022 Lucid Air Dream P AWD w/19" wheels
481 miles 2022 Lucid Air Dream R AWD w/21" wheels
516 miles 2022 Lucid Air Grand Touring AWD w/19" wheels
Does anyone know which 250cc bikes are common for Europeans to bring here to ride? Some are more powerful than some may think but I haven't looked at them in a long time.
I don't know what the quality of Chinese motorcycles are as I write this. Maybe 10 years ago I read a report on one of them by one of the motorcycle magazines. The valve stem bent after only several hundred miles.
I don't know how prominent Chinese bikes are within China but I think many people in less developed countries are more inclined to buy a used 90cc Honda or something like that.
A see a lot of smaller (assumed 250cc) BMW motorcycles similar to the BMW R1200 GS (or 1250 GS), but the tires seem to have semi-aggressive thread, and narrow width, not the usual smooth and wide tires on touring and other motorcycles. I believe that this type of motorcycle meets numerous road conditions, and fall into the "adventure" category. I assume that they are 250cc motorcycles since fuel economy is what one wants to travel long distances in areas where gas stations are few and far from each other. The riders are covered with mud or dust when returning to Fairbanks from the Dalton Highway.
On a side note, while the European riders seem to favor BMW, Americans ride most of the Japanese motor bikes, including Kawasaki, Honda, and Suzuki, on the Dalton. Rider Magazine has a few articles about riding on the Dalton Highway.
Does anyone know which 250cc bikes are common for Europeans to bring here to ride? Some are more powerful than some may think but I haven't looked at them in a long time.
Well, the Honda single-cylinder 250 sport bike is now a 300 as 286cc. The Yamaha R3 twin-cylinder sport bike is 321cc. And the Kawaski twin-cylinder 250 sport bike is now a 400 at 399cc.
But the KTM 390 Duke and KTM RC 390 single-cylinder motorcycles have frames similar to a Ducati. And so here's what happened: I was suggesting OEM engines put into available flat-track frames, with road-race fork-clamp geometry, to make sport bikes for the street. Then KTM does it for us and actually at less cost and better detail.
And now BMW has a single-cylinder G 310 GS and a G 310 R.
Or consider the Suzuki SV650 90-degree twin with a frame similar to a Ducati. Well, it's less expensive than a four-cylinder supersport bike or about the same cost as a four-cylinder street-sport.
Historically, Aprilia had some small motorcycles but I don't see any current models.
The Ducati Scambler is now 1100cc. Previously there were some 399cc models.
Some riders might want dual-sport motorcycles but both the KTM 390 Duke and the BMW G 310 GS are close enough while still being street-sport
.
Well, the Honda single-cylinder 250 sport bike is now a 300 as 286cc. The Yamaha R3 twin-cylinder sport bike is 321cc. And the Kawaski twin-cylinder 250 sport bike is now a 400 at 399cc.
But the KTM 390 Duke and KTM RC 390 single-cylinder motorcycles have frames similar to a Ducati. And so here's what happened: I was suggesting OEM engines put into available flat-track frames, with road-race fork-clamp geometry, to make sport bikes for the street. Then KTM does it for us and actually at less cost and better detail.
And now BMW has a single-cylinder G 310 GS and a G 310 R.
Or consider the Suzuki SV650 90-degree twin with a frame similar to a Ducati. Well, it's less expensive than a four-cylinder supersport bike or about the same cost as a four-cylinder street-sport.
Historically, Aprilia had some small motorcycles but I don't see any current models.
The Ducati Scambler is now 1100cc. Previously there were some 399cc models.
Some riders might want dual-sport motorcycles but both the KTM 390 Duke and the BMW G 310 GS are close enough while still being street-sport
.
Wouldn’t now be a good time for Honda to bring back their “you meet the nicest people on a Honda” advertising for their Super Cub and Trail bikes?
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