Little more aggresive tires for Alaska Trip on Stelvio???

[bobrebos]

Im taking a trip on my 2013 Stelvio to Alaska next June, with a buddy who goes a lot.  He has tires (a little more aggressive pattern) for his BMW shipped to a shop in Anchorage and changes, from his standard street tires,  to the more aggressive tire at the shop when he arrives.  The reason he changes to the more aggressive tire is the dirt road going to Dead Horse Alaska tears up his street tires in the past and they dont make it.

Im running a Metzler Tourance Next, 150/70r/17 on the rear of my Syelvio(Which is a different story due to the noise levels from that tire), and was wondering if anybody out there runs a little more aggressive tire on their Stelvio and what my options may be?

Thank You ahead of time for any recommendations.

Stay Safe!

[bobrebos]

Im looking at either continental tkc 80s or Shinko 705's.  Either ones should handle 400 miles of dirt ok I am thinking....

[ChuckH]

I suggest you consider a Heidenau K60 Sport for your trip.  The 150/70 rear has a continuous circumferential rib in the center of the tire that will extend your tire life considerably.  You may be able to get the complete trip in on only one set of tires.

Others to consider are Shinko 705's (lower cost) and Meta's (aggressive tread pattern).

[Green1000S]

I did Trans Labrador Highway on Shinko 705’s.
All good unless you hit mud. If you see mud, TKC80’s...

[kirb]

The TKC80s are the tires of choice for big bikes in nasty bits...they don't last.
The K60 scouts are a bit harder, run like iron, and are a good mid-choice.
I ran Mefos back when they were new...tread block separation kept me from going back.

I ran k60's on a KTM 990 and really liked them for the mileage. They are a bit hard and you need to take care in the wet.
I never ran TKC80's, but I have heard the pavement performance can be eye opening...

What does your buddy run?

[Kiwi_Roy]

My friend shipped a pair of tires to Whitehorse and ran those for the Northern section, next time I see him I will ask about logistics.

[Sheepdog]

Lots of choices. I like the Continental TKC80s, but the Heidenaus are also well regarded. In addition, several other tire manufacturers are developing big-block tires (like the Contis) that are more affordable. Check out the Shinko 805 or the Kenda K784...

[bobrebos]

The TKC80s are the tires of choice for big bikes in nasty bits...they don't last.
The K60 scouts are a bit harder, run like iron, and are a good mid-choice.
I ran Mefos back when they were new...tread block separation kept me from going back.

I ran k60's on a KTM 990 and really liked them for the mileage. They are a bit hard and you need to take care in the wet.
I never ran TKC80's, but I have heard the pavement performance can be eye opening...

What does your buddy run?

My buddy says he runs motoz tractionator gps tires....whatever those are??  LOL

[bobrebos]

My friend shipped a pair of tires to Whitehorse and ran those for the Northern section, next time I see him I will ask about logistics.

My buddy says he has his tires shipped to Fairbanks and changed there.  He is using MotoZ Tractionator GPS tires.....

[ITSec]

Streetable but aggressive - Shinko 705. Not enough block to deal with mud that well, but then again the mud on the haul road is 'special', with lots of slimy slippy stuff from the chemicals they spray on it. Do your best to avoid it if it's wet.

Chunky, very suitable for the haul road - Shinko 805, TKC 80, Heidenaus, etc.

I have a friend in Wasilla with a tire changing machine, another friend in Fairbanks who knows all the shops there. Both have done the haul road many, many times; the wife of one of them worked up at Deadhorse for quite a time.

[Huzo]

You blokes have used them and I haven't.
But something about the word "shitko" that just drains my confidence like acne at the high school prom...

[Sheepdog]

Shinko was formerly Yokohama Rubber Co. They moved manufacturing to S. Korea and changed the name. They are not exceptional, but are a great value.

[bobrebos]

You blokes have used them and I haven't.
But something about the word "shitko" that just drains my confidence like acne at the high school prom...

LOL.  I hear ya.  Im leaning toward the Shinko 805's but I sure dont want to be let down by bad tires in Deadhorse Alaska.  I might just try the Shinkos though??????

[Huzo]

LOL.  I hear ya.  Im leaning toward the Shinko 805's but I sure dont want to be let down by bad tires in Deadhorse Alaska.  I might just try the Shinkos though??????

Mate you're going riding in the third best place in the world, fabulous scenery, great bike,  God's country.
Do you really want to come out of your cosy unit in the morning to a crystal blue sky, offset against monumentally large mountains with snow capped peaks, clutching your coffee in one hand while the steam condenses in the crisp morning air, all the while taking in the beautiful sight of the green pines....
Then look down and see Shitko tyres that you're hanging your life on.
.......Just get the good ones mate, you've come this far.

[Huzo]

I did Trans Labrador Highway on Shinko 705�s.
All good unless you hit mud. If you see mud, TKC80�s...

Where would you encounter mud in Alaska ?

[bobrebos]

Mate you're going riding in the third best place in the world, fabulous scenery, great bike,  God's country.
Do you really want to come out of your cosy unit in the morning to a crystal blue sky, offset against monumentally large mountains with snow capped peaks, clutching your coffee in one hand while the steam condenses in the crisp morning air, all the while taking in the beautiful sight of the green pines....
Then look down and see Shitko tyres that you're hanging your life on.
.......Just get the good ones mate, you've come this far.

Hell No I dont want to do that!  Now Im leaning toward the Heidenau's K-60.......you dont work for them do ya?  LOL

[Huzo]

Hell No I dont want to do that!  Now Im leaning toward the Heidenau's K-60.......you dont work for them do ya?  LOL

I don't work at all anymore.
Unless you call shipping your Norge around the world each year and trying to wear it out (unsuccessfully), "work".
I did Nordkapp and Continental Europe on a BMW 1200 GS (gasp!!!) with Continental something or others on it.
Bike was as interesting as a wooden spoon, but the front tyre shat 25,000k's in and the rear around 15,000 k.
I just love Michelins though. Something about the name, it reminds me of a good restaurant !

[ChuckH]

Mate you're going riding in the third best place in the world, fabulous scenery, great bike,  God's country.

And, where are Numbers One and Two?

[Huzo]

And, where are Numbers One and Two?

Too easy, (but thanks for asking), I was starting to wonder if anyone was awake !!!
#1 Australia obviously, (but we all knew that) and wait for it...
And the award for the second best place in the world to ride on a red Italian motorbike goes to....
(tearing envelope sound... drum roll....)
Italy !!!! (and the crown goes wild).
I should go on mastermind, Huzo from Australia, special subject, THE BLEEDIN' OBVIOUS !

[rodekyll]

I spooned a Tourance onto the rear of my EV for a run through Alaska.  I decided that there wasn't enough bad road (or the ratio of bad road to good was skewed) to justify the downsides to using it.  It was a hard tire, the big blocks made even the best road feel lumpy, it was unsettling at speeds above 65 and did not do well on wet pavement.  The stretch I'd installed it for -- the unpaved section between Tok and Dawson City, YT, had had a major flood and was down to slippery hardpan where the road used to be.  They had been fixing it, mostly on the Canada side, and had a chip coat down.  There was marble-sized gravel loose on the top of the hard pan and the bike danced over it in all directions but straight.  My kid had his Metzler Lasertecs on his Jackal and did as well as I did in the rough stuff -- and much better on pavement.

The haul road is a different story.  It's like 435 miles of continuous bad road, punctuated with stretches of worse road.  In addition, during the driveable months, the supply trucks are running nose-to-tail in caravans miles long.  If you have a problem they're not going to pull over and help.  If you lose your place in line, it could be a long time before someone opens a gap for you to re-enter the queue.  Speed limit is 45 and enforced by the speed of those trucks -- they have tattlers and get into trouble if they arrive anywhere too soon.

So if I was going to do the haul road and wanted to use an ADV tire, I'd ship them on ahead to FBKS.  I'd send them up on rims, do a quick changeout before heading to Coldfoot, and reswap on the return leg.

Huzo -- mud is the only thing in Alaska that outnumbers the mosquitos.  There are 30 mile stretches of road work here and there that often has mud up past the spokes.  I saw a guy on an HD once sail off the end of the paved section at about 40mph and simply stop when he hit the deep mud like he'd landed on a carrier with his arrestor hook deployed.  It stuck him so good he didn't tip over.  Several of us behind him helped get the bike into the rut from other traffic and he duck-walked his way into the distance.  We let him lead.    

Another time, on the Cassiar, I had a chat with a couple on and HD that were pulling a trailer.  The trailer had no brakes.  I suggested that he was on the wrong road for that combination, and he suggested something about my mother.  The next day we were queued up behind a pilot car going down a steep, winding pass in an area of construction that had no pavement.  The pilot car driver had an evil sense of humor and kept trying to find a speed that we couldn't pace on the straights, and then abruptly braked for the hairpins.  The last I saw of the folks I'd been talking to was when the trailer passed me in a curve, followed by the bike.  I was too busy keeping my own self upright to keep track of them.

[ITSec]

Where would you encounter mud in Alaska ?

Anywhere there is a lack of rock or trees. The underlying 'soil' (and I use the term loosely) turns into mud as soon as it is exposed and wet - which is a good part of the so-called summer. This is made even worse on the haul road where they use calcite and other crap to treat the unpaved surface - gets as slippy as wet bentonite clay. The haul road is also notorious for its rocks, which come in two sizes: bigger than your head, and almost as big as your head.

[rodekyll]

If you look at most of my bike pictures, the head pipes are brown.  It's not rust, it's ceramitized mud from years of riding Alaska highways.  It bakes in place and polishes nice!

[ITSec]

Too easy, (but thanks for asking), I was starting to wonder if anyone was awake !!!
#1 Australia obviously, (but we all knew that) and wait for it...
And the award for the second best place in the world to ride on a red Italian motorbike goes to....
(tearing envelope sound... drum roll....)
Italy !!!! (and the crown goes wild).
I should go on mastermind, Huzo from Australia, special subject, THE BLEEDIN' OBVIOUS !

You have an inadequate appreciation of Canada.... 

[Huzo]

You have an inadequate appreciation of Canada.... 

Hell no IT.
I'd love to live there if the first two didn't exist !

[rodekyll]

Canada would be a really successful woodsey theme park, except nobody goes there.   

[Pedro]

I went from Seattle to Fairbanks last summer and used Avon AV84 / AV85 Trekrider Tires (different from Trailrider). I've got a little over 6,000 miles on them and the rear is due for replacement. Front is still fine.

In general, I think they are great. Ride more like and 80/20 tire on pavement than 50/50 tire that they are...with the exception that they're a little loud. Feel very stable off pavement too, although the extent of the off-pavement that I did was the Top of the World Highway and the previously mentioned road work, which was often far worse than the Top of the World Highway.

The fact is, unless you're doing something like going all the way to Prudhoe Bay, you'll be ok with 80/20 tires, but to me the Trekrider's inspired a little more confidence.

[Yukonica]

Where would you encounter mud in Alaska ?

  'shirely, you jest'...
If it rains and it isn't paved; its' mud.

[Yukonica]

My friend shipped a pair of tires to Whitehorse and ran those for the Northern section, next time I see him I will ask about logistics.

There are only two shops in Whitehorse that changes bike tires. Yukon Honda and Yukon Yamaha. Politely; neither of them are free.
(typed by the fingers of Yukonica ... sense a naming protocol that lacks creativity)?

Canada Post has reliable service if you aren't in a rush (or for a small fortune if you are).

[Huzo]

'shirely, you jest'...
If it rains and it isn't paved; its' mud.

......that was my point 
(and please don't call me Shirley) 

[Green1000S]

Mate you're going riding in the third best place in the world, fabulous scenery, great bike,  God's country.
Do you really want to come out of your cosy unit in the morning to a crystal blue sky, offset against monumentally large mountains with snow capped peaks, clutching your coffee in one hand while the steam condenses in the crisp morning air, all the while taking in the beautiful sight of the green pines....
Then look down and see Shitko tyres that you're hanging your life on.
.......Just get the good ones mate, you've come this far.

Have you tried them and have personal experience?
I would be curious to know what is Shitko about 705's?


I'm on my second set of Shinko 705's with Stelvio, on both of my Quotas I've used many ADV tires, since I thrive in mud and gravel.
If I would do the Trans Labrador again tomorrow, I would go again with same tire choice. Great on asphalt, lots of traction on twisties, will carry 1200lbs without an issue, will last complete trip without issues and work great on loose gravel. Slippery mud is a different animal, but as little as I saw it, no need to punish the bike with knobbies for 6000km in 9 days.
I buy tires based on what works well and is used by riders with similar road conditions I plan to ride.