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Old 3 Apr 2008
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Which tires?
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']I'll be heading from Bellingham, Washington to Prudhoe Bay in June on my F650GS. Its partly to see Alaska to the top and partly a shakedown ride for October trip to Tierra del Fuego. Looking for ride partners for both trips - pm me in interested.[/FONT]

[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']The 650 is new to me (other bike is an RT - strictly pavement). [/FONT]

[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Looking for advice from those who have gone before on which tires to put on the F650 for Alaska trip - and later for Latin America trip.[/FONT]

[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']I've narrowed it down to either Metzeler Tourance, for milage or Continental TKC-80, for grip. But, since I've not been up the Dalton Hwy before, not sure which is more appropriate. What's your advice?[/FONT]

[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Thanks,[/FONT]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Tom



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Old 3 Apr 2008
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What's the problem with the TKC80 for mileage? - I got fantastic miles out of mine (15,000 odd kms rear and 20,000 front - admittedly was shot to pieces and missing entire knobbles by then)

They wear alarmingly fast at first but then just seem to stop wearing for ages, something other riders have reported.

I would swear by the conti but then haven't had much experience with the tourance
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Old 3 Apr 2008
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If your existing tyres don't need replacing ,use them to ride up to Alaska ,then if the weather is shitty ,have them changed them to TKCs at Alaskan Leather[ or any other dealer for that matter ].
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Old 3 Apr 2008
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So does my grandmother!
Quote:
Originally Posted by henryuk View Post
I got fantastic miles out of mine (15,000 odd kms rear and 20,000 front - admittedly was shot to pieces and missing entire knobbles by then)
Henry:
I'd be embarrassed to admit getting that many miles on a set of tires.

Tom:
For your long trip, go for the high-mileage tires (tourances). Put a set on in so. California or Arizona - Change in Medellin if necessary (and going to Colombia - recommended - say hi to Tibero there - former Ride West employee). They may even get you to Peru depending on how you are riding (I sort of wandered around a lot). I only put a set of knobs on for doing some off-roading in Bolivia - and took them off soon as I hit Argentina - still lots of mileage on them.

For Prudhoe - I recommend using tourances there as well - except if you want - change to knobs for the ride north from Fairbanks. Ship some (partially worn even) to fairbanks in advance. Essentially you're doing paved road for nearly the entire distance - except for the 800 from Fairbanks to Prudhoe and back. You'd just be wearing out TKC80s for no reason.

That's my opinion.
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Old 4 Apr 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quastdog View Post
Henry:
I'd be embarrassed to admit getting that many miles on a set of tires.
I should defend myself by saying that that was the first set of tires I had after getting my license, and getting your panniers down on a 300kg bike (with gear) when you have 3 days experience on a GS 500 and 2 on a CG125 is not possible for 99.9% of the biking population....

Let me assure you that there are no chicken strips on any of my tires (8 total) these days.

I also hold the local record for distance covered mid-air on a pizza hut moped, proudest day of my life!
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Old 4 Apr 2008
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Thanks for the suggestions....
Why not combine the two. I'll get up to Alaska on the tires I have - good for another 2-3 thousand miles. Then put TKCs on for the gravel up and back from Prudhoe Bay then put new Tourances on for the ride home and save the TKCs for Chile. Sounds like a good idea, best of all worlds.

Tom
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