Guys,
I just got back yesterday from my trip to Fairbanks, Alaska, and back and I did not change the tires on my 2005 Vstrom 650. I put on a new set of Michelin Anakee 2's and had about a 10 miles on them when I departed. My trip was 31 days and the final total was 11,480 miles. And the rear tire still has tread showing on it!
I don't think I did anything special except maybe kept the pressure a little higher than specs. I set it to 44 lbs when I left and reset it about once a week as I got into colder temps.
I did not go to the Arctic Circle or Prudhoe Bay so the trip was mostly on paved roads (but mostly chip seal that they use up north). A few dirt roads like the Salmon Glacier north of Hyder for about 60 miles round trip, and the Top Of The World Highway. Not a lot of dirt otherwise.
I don't mean to start a whole 'nuther tire debate but just wanted to record a data point for someone's future reference. I read a TON of ride reports preparing for my trip and I don't recall but maybe one where someone said they did not change a rear tire along the way. Maybe it's not that unusual, I dunno, but I haven't read about others who have done it.
And, yes, I said from HOUSTON. That's Houston - TEXAS! The long way down!
Jerry in Cypress (Houston)
PS. And YES I am glad I am off now and back home!
I just got back yesterday from my trip to Fairbanks, Alaska, and back and I did not change the tires on my 2005 Vstrom 650. I put on a new set of Michelin Anakee 2's and had about a 10 miles on them when I departed. My trip was 31 days and the final total was 11,480 miles. And the rear tire still has tread showing on it!
I don't think I did anything special except maybe kept the pressure a little higher than specs. I set it to 44 lbs when I left and reset it about once a week as I got into colder temps.
I did not go to the Arctic Circle or Prudhoe Bay so the trip was mostly on paved roads (but mostly chip seal that they use up north). A few dirt roads like the Salmon Glacier north of Hyder for about 60 miles round trip, and the Top Of The World Highway. Not a lot of dirt otherwise.
I don't mean to start a whole 'nuther tire debate but just wanted to record a data point for someone's future reference. I read a TON of ride reports preparing for my trip and I don't recall but maybe one where someone said they did not change a rear tire along the way. Maybe it's not that unusual, I dunno, but I haven't read about others who have done it.
And, yes, I said from HOUSTON. That's Houston - TEXAS! The long way down!
Jerry in Cypress (Houston)
PS. And YES I am glad I am off now and back home!