Need advise on tires and oil - first trip to alaska

[justlookin]

I am planning a trip to Alaska in July. I have never been before and have a couple of questions regarding prepping the S10.
I live in the Bay Area (CA) so the total trip length will be around 10000 miles.

I need to find suitable tires that will last the trip. To date I have just used two sets of BattleWings, and I get around 9k on the front and 8k on the rear.

Looking at the posts on this forum I am thinking of the Mitas E-07. Maybe the E-07 Dakar on the rear. Thoughts?

The other thing is the oil. To date I have used Yamaha mineral lube and changed every 5000 miles. I was thinking of using synthetic and doing the trip without a change, If I do change on route where would be a good place to buy the oil or plan on having an oil change?

John

 

[The GYMMY]

Yukon Yamaha in Whitehorse always treated me right. I have oil changed and tires done there.

We are heading up on the 17th of June and we are using them again for the same services.

Just my opinion.

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[Kevhunts]

I am planning a trip to Alaska in July. I have never been before and have a couple of questions regarding prepping the S10.
I live in the Bay Area (CA) so the total trip length will be around 10000 miles.

I need to find suitable tires that will last the trip. To date I have just used two sets of BattleWings, and I get around 9k on the front and 8k on the rear.

Looking at the posts on this forum I am thinking of the Mitas E-07. Maybe the E-07 Dakar on the rear. Thoughts?

The other thing is the oil. To date I have used Yamaha mineral lube and changed every 5000 miles. I was thinking of using synthetic and doing the trip without a change, If I do change on route where would be a good place to buy the oil or plan on having an oil change?

John

If you haven't already, google youtube for "living off the slab". The guy offers a nice multi-video blog about his trip on a S-10.

 

[RhodeTrip]

I would go with the E07 Dakar; should get over 10k miles out of them.

 

[EricV]

I did Alaska with the wife in '14. We rode 8k in 30 days. Both bikes were using Heidenau K60 Scouts and did fine, but only just. I have just under 17k miles on my current set of Mitas EO7 Dakars and rate them better than the K60s for wear and wet traction. Dry the same, muck and loose, maybe slightly better than the K60s. I loved the K60s and have run 10 sets on the Super Ten. Even ran them for the IBR. So when I say I like the Mitas better, that's saying a lot. Do get the Dakar version, they hold up better than the plus. You will be happy to have the deeper lugs if you get into any wet weather or calcium chloride slurry during road construction in the Yukon or Alaska.

Oil is not really that big a deal. I've gone 10k on the same full synthetic oil. No issues. I prefer to change it every 5k too. I just took a spare filter and bought oil at a Walmart in Canada, then changed the oil in the parking lot with a cheap drip pan/oil jug that I bought there too. You spend an extra $20 and just turn the oil into the auto center or a near by quick lube place. There was one across the parking lot in my case. One time I just left the oil drain jug next to the trash can. Some guy snapped it up before I even got back to the bike. Free drain pan, all he had to do was dispose of the used oil!

If you go the whole trip on the same oil, it will be black as night when you change it. The filter will be fine, the oil will not be broken down, just dirty. You will notices that the shifting gets notchy. I didn't find it to be a big deal when I did this. I changed the oil in a Walmart parking lot when I had the time. Probably close to 11k then. New Yamaha filter that I brought with me, oil, funnel and drain pan from a store. I carry some disposable nytril gloves, which makes for easier clean up.

 

[Madhatter]

there are two tires that will make the trip , heidenau k60s , mitas e0-7 dakars ..... both are great choices .... if you do mitas do both tires Dakar , why have one heavy duty and one not.... your riding 10000 plus miles .... have an air compressor , plugs and co2 cartridges just in case you have a nail.....

 

[hogmolly]

I did the trip from Dallas to Deadhorse in 2004 (a big GS, not a S10). I can say that no tire will make the trip as far as I'm concerned. The chip seal in Canada/AK will eat tires. I also wiped a set of rear brake pads. As for oil, I did a no-filter change 1/2 way through and for me that was enough. On the S10, a no-filter change would be close to 3Qts (maybe 2oz low when done).

Call a dealer on the way and arrange for tires & an oil change. You'll be happy you did IMHO. I would make sure my brake pads and air filter were new as well.

 

[Doug C]

E07 Dakar for sure, Yukon Yamaha keeps k60’s in stock. If you give them some notice should not be a problem for oil change.

 

[justlookin]

Big thanks you all. Excellent advice. I am no longer worried about the oil and tires.

John

 

[Cycledude]

I’ve done Alaska twice, once on the Tenere, the Yamaha dealer in Whitehorse was excellent when we were there, this year we will be riding to Inuvik and plan on using the Whitehorse Yamaha dealer again, they are a well experienced dealer with excellent mechanics.
On Both of my Alaska trips I waited until we got home to change oil.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Oil changes are easy. If you want to go beyond 5,000 miles, take a replacement filter cartridge.

 

[trimannn]

I went it 2016. New Mitas, non Dakar, right before I left and they still had tread left on em when I got back, 10,000 miles. I really like those tires and don't think I'll ever put another brand on it.

Changed my oil in the parking lot in the Wal Mart in Fairbanks. Took a filter and bought the oil at Wal Mart. Real nice folks.

 

[gunner]

Don't forget to install some fork protectors, Shock Sox work well. I carry an extra set of fork seals just in case.

 

[patrickg450]

Don't forget to install some fork protectors, Shock Sox work well. I carry an extra set of fork seals just in case.

Wanna go this July to Aug?

 

[eemsreno]

I'm always dreaming of riding back up to the top.
Everyone should do it at least a few times.
Don't stop short of going all the way to the Arctic Ocean, Fantastic!!
E-07 tires will go all the way up and back.

Now lets see, when can I go again?

 

[justlookin]

Big thanks to Gunner. First time I have heard about shock sox. Ordered a pair from Amazon

 

[gunner]

Big thanks to Gunner. First time I have heard about shock sox. Ordered a pair from Amazon

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