Father’s Day/Tanji Garage
Tires
In 2008, we had Michelin Anakee’s for tires.
Front: 110/80R19 59V TL Anakee
Rear: 150/70R17 69V TL Anakee
This combination did not last the 9,000+ miles R/T. Lisa ran out of rubber in Salt Lake City and had to make a rear tire change.
This year:
Front: Metzler ME-880 Marathon 160/70 B17 M/C 73H, $154.95, Southwest Moto Tires
Rear: Continental Road Attacks, 110/80 VR19, $112.95, Southwest Moto Tires
I wanted the best wear road tire to get to Fairbanks and back. Research on the internet indicated that the best mileage tire is the ME-880. It offers the “highest possible mileage on-road, worthless off-road and raises your bike about ½”. The very stiff and heavy Metzler 880 rear tire was a bear to change!
The Continental Road Attacks is a stickier “sports style” front tire which should help track the harder ME-880 rear. I’m hoping that this combination will track well and will last the entire round trip ~ 9,000+ miles.
For the Dalton Hwy/Haul Rd I ordered Continental TKC80 150/70BQ-17 rear and 110/80BQ-19 fronts, $271.95, Southwest Moto Tires. My plan is to carry these up to Fairbanks, change tires for the Dalton Hwy/Haul Rd then switch back to the ME-880/Cont Road Attach combo for the return home.
Packing
Man do I have a hard time getting ready for a road trip. I start with a list then I lay everything around the bike making little plies. When you ride alone, you need ALL the tools and backup parts. So I end up taking way too much but somehow I feel I need what I’ve packed.
Since the destination is Alaska, the temperature extremes will range from 30° to 40° F in Prudhoe Bay to 100+ Nevada/Utah deserts.
I ride with full armor. I wear Bohn Body Armor A100 Adventure Pants and Heavy-Duty Armored Shirt. This allows me to wear anything over it.
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