Newbie Tire Question

[ebeeby]

Just bought a 1973 R75/5 (39K miles) for the purpose of riding the Alcan all the way to Fairbanks. I will be going through the entire bike and will of course fit with new tires.
I really could use recommendations about Michelin or Metzler tires for a 5,000 mile run over both good and bad pavement.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I am riding up the same way :dance but I plan on bringing an extra set of tires. From what I gathered so far, you can expect about 1/2 the tire life up in AK. I ride a GS and the TKC 80's won't go the whole way but are very easy to change out. :)
If anything, the Metzeler ME880 tires are the best for milage. If you can fit them on your bike you should be OK the whole way depending on how you ride and load the bike.

[Boxerkuh]

I run Michelin Maccademum's (spell?) and I love them. They have held up great, I get about 15K off a set and they perform well in wet. My 2 cents anyway... :burnout

[BradfordBenn]

A lot of LD Riders I know, paging Paul or Voni, run Metzler ME880's. I am getting them after my Z6's wear out. They have about 10K on them and still no wear bars! 3mm of tread!

[PGlaves]

Brad is right!

The bias ply ME880s would be a good choice for this bike - if they make the 880 in a 19'" for the front. If they don't then an 880 on the back and 330 in the front.

[yukonairhead2]

Greetings from Whitehorse Yukon, I did a trip from Virginia back home to the Yukon last summer on an '81 R100RS. I probably should have replaced the Dunlops before I reached Victoria, British Columbia - I did replace them with Macadams from Michelin - they are a great tire, they wear well and stick well. You will have no problems on the Alaska Highway - there is alway some construction but for the most part it is quite enjoyable - enjoy the scenery! Send me a note if you want to talk more about your trip or if you want to stop for a coffee - you have to pass through Whitehorse.

Mike -yukonairhead2

[RedHotRT]

I've got a set of Metzeler Tourance on my 1150GS with roughly 13,000 Km on them. The Metzeler rep told me they should still be good for another 4-5,000 Km. Mind you, 90 % of my riding is on pavement, and I have no idea what the roads are like in Alaska.

BTW, the Tourance model is a radial tire and I'm not certain if they would fit on your bike. The point I'm trying to make is that I've been quite happy with Metzeler and will probably get another set when mine wear out.

Have a great trip up to Alaska.

[rowansride]

Without a Doubt, the best deal going is through Barb Smart at Alaska Leather in Anchorage... I have been getting all my tires for years there. You Cannot have them ordered from the Lower 48 for cheaper. TKC-80's are 90-95$ apeice. She has a wide selection and if you ask nicely, will let you mount them yourself if you are as apprensive as I when it comes to handing your rims over to just any shop monkey.
As far as bringing tires with you goes, thats crazy talk. We are not the third world up here.... Oh yes, the Anchorage dealer is NOT very Airhead friendly. That smuck wants 220 for a Metzler tire that lasts half as long. They also Don't carry Contental or Dunlop tire because they can't mark them up enough.
George up at Trails End may be a little crotchety, but he's been BMW wrench since the sixties in Fairbanks, and is the second oldest dealer on the west coast from what I understand. He does not have much for tires though.
Better yet come down to Homer and campout with the local club and relax for a week. If you time it right, you might catch the second annual Burning Don Festival.... Get Loaded and help incinerate an Effigy of the Anchorage Dealer. (actually He's more of a Dummy) After we Drag him through the mud behind a GS, we shoot him full of holes, light the fuse on a pound of black powder in his head, then tie him to a post and soak his sorry ass with gasoline....
Any and all Airhead riders are welcome