As far as your bikes. Thousands of bikes make the trip to Alaska every year. Every conceivable make and model of bike from a Grom to a Electra Glide can do it. A stock S10 can do it easily. Just make the bike functional and comfortable for your needs. While I worked at the university in Fairbanks we would have 3-400 riders stay on campus each summer; most were headed to Deadhorse. Again, you name the bike and it has made it to Deadhorse. A Goldwing did it pulling a trailer (and got a ticket for doing 70 in a 35 zone); two women in their 70s did two-up on a Vespa, fastest I ever saw it done was 6 hours 45 min from Deadhorse to Fairbanks on a FJR running Metzler 880 tires (John Ryan) and a Dutch guy did it on an R1 in February. My point is don't over think it. Ride within your skill level (leave a 20% margin) and adjust for conditions (rain and construction zones).
I wrote the note below in response to a request from a friend. I think it will be helpful to you as well. We lived in Fairbanks many years.
A few random thoughts. Annie and I have ridden or driven to and from Alaska a dozen or so times. I’ve been on the haul road in a truck, on a snogo and on a motorcycle. I’ve done the TOW highway many times and most other roads in Alaska and the Yukon.
Routes: There are three basic ways to travel between the lower 48 and AK: the ALCAN Hwy, the Cassiar Hwy and the ferry from either Prince Rupert or Bellingham, WA. There are multiple variations on each route, but you should try to take one option north and another south. The ride to and from AK is perhaps the best part of the experience so don't treat it as a chore to get out of the way.
I suggest heading north to Nelson, Nukusp, Revelstoke, Golden and then to Lake Louise and the Icefield Parkway to Jasper (an alternative is to go to Radium Hot Spings and then through Kootenay Park to the Icefield Parkway. Worth the diversion.). From Jasper head Entrance, Grande Cache, Grade Prairie and then to Dawson Creek to begin the ALCAN. From there to AK is pretty straight forward. Coming south, take the ALCAN to Nugget City (12 miles north of Watson Lake) and pick up the Cassiar Hwy (Hwy 37). The Cassiar is much less developed than the ALCAN and a more enjoyable ride in my opinion. Be sure to divert into Hyder, AK when you ge to Meziadin Junction. The 40 mile road into Hyder is a fantastic ride. Glaciers, lakes and often bears galore. We once saw over 20 black bears along side the road on a ride into Hyder. Depending on the time of year, while in Hyder you can ride the six mile to Fish Creek and watch the bears go after salmon and you can make the ride up to the glacier. Eat at the School Bus and get some fudge at Caroline's Boundary Gallery & Gifts. From Meziadin Junction head down to Kitwanga and pick-up Hwy 16 to Prince George then south to Kamloops.
We never carry extra fuel and have never had an issue. Just don't pass a fuel point if you are at half a tank or less. Things close up in the evening and some fuel points further north do not have card reader pumps, so no fuel.
Make sure you either have a cell plan for Canada or you turn off the data roaming on your phone. If you leave the data on, then things can get real expensive real fast. In our experiences with Verizon, texts are at the normal rate and calls are more expensive, but not outlandish.
Camping? A whole different topic. Laird Hot Springs is a great place to stop and camp. Nice, well maintained hot springs and well managed camping spots. Pit toilets, no showers but water points are available. The Milepost will provide info on places to camp.
If you are going to use motels then plan to stop earlier in the day (around 4 PM) because they motels tend to fill-up. Getting anything in or around Fort Nelson has been very difficult because of the oil fields, but that may be no longer the case with the crash in oil prices. Motels in whitehorse are also often booked. It is the only significant town in the Yukon and hosts many events. Reservations can never hurt, but we have not made them and have always found a place. In Fairbanks you can stay on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Housing was one of the areas I oversaw while I worked at the university. Will be much cheaper than a motel. In Haines Junction be sure to stop at their bakery. It is a block off the ALCAN behind the Raven Motel (super expensive). If you want to stay in HJ then ask at the bakery about the Paddlewheel Cabins. Very reasonable cabins that will sleep 4.
Make sure you are equipped and know how to plug/patch a tire/tube An electric pump is a good idea as well. Start with new tires and the bike recently serviced. No need for knobbies going up or down. Both the ALCAN and Cassiar are paved, although you may hit some long construction sites that have no pavement. In Fairbanks a great place for tire work is Adventure Cycle Works. Dan offers 24/7 service in the summer.
Even in July plan to ride in 80 degree temperatures, and plan to ride in day long rain with temperatures in the 30s... on the same day. There will be bugs, especially mosquitos. Bring good bug dope and a head net. Plugging a tire with a bazillion biting devils after you is not fun.
You'll need a passport.
It is possible to get permission to take a handgun into Canada, but getting permission is not easy. Do not try to sneak in a handgun. If you get caught it will be a life changing event.
If you have a criminal record, even just a DWI, you cannot enter Canada without a waiver. The two countries share databases. Imagine if they turn you away at the border leaving Alaska… you’d be super screwed.
