Best tire for ST1100

Alaska State Ferry

tailwind@ak.net said:

Alaska State Ferry

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There's a ferry that runs all the way from Seattle(?) to Alaska?? Didn't know that. Must be quite expensive.

Been considering that if I go back to Alaska. How days did it take from Seattle to ...? Cost? I've used the one from Haines to Skagway before. It's a really great system in my experience.

The Alaska Marine Highway System. A wonderful service for seeing parts of the state that are not accessible by road from the mainland and use when flying is not an option. It comes as far south as Bellingham, WA.

The official website is here. Prices will vary based on distance and whether you want a cabin too, inside or outside (later is more money). They do have 2 berth or 4 berth cabins so you can split costs.

The website works good, even plan multi-stop trips.

And there is an secondary system that just works around the lower (rain forest) islands. Alaska's Inter-Island Ferry Authority, website here

Very familiar with the website (having used it several times), but I was just curious to hear from someone who had made the 'long' trip as to their experience/length of time/cost.

Used the ferry a few times.. never with motorized bike.

Longest trip I personally did was on the M/V Stikine from Anacortes to Ketchikan. Not exactly fast and not a lot to see as they stay a good ways off-shore. If doing a mutli day trip I would opt for the cabin, but if just an overnighter the lounge chairs are ok to sleep in.

When we brought our ST down to America 4 years ago. we took the Alaska State Ferry from Skagway to Prince Rupert in BC. I can't remember the cost exactly, but I want to say around $600 for two and the bike. It was a wonderful trip and they let us off the boat for several hours in Petersburg and Juneau. Since then, we've been leaving the bike at different friends houses for the winters, and flying down every June, and October for two week rides. Been great so far, but running out of friends to impose on

We took the ferry from Prince Rupert to Vancouver Island last summer and really enjoyed it, we had beautiful weather and met lots of people on bikes and other modes of transport. We book ferries when ever possible because it kind of breaks up the trip and you get to meet lots of people and have a nice relaxed time. When we where on the ferry we saw the Seattle Alaska ferry sailing the same route, it was interesting as they allow people to camp on the deck. I guess they pitch their tents and tape them down to the deck. I have a photo of it and if I remember I will post it when I get home tonight.

Gerhard

I just did a quick google search and came up with this article http://seattletimes.com/html/travel/2022395962_alaskaferryxml.html

Tailwind - Do you remember about how many days you were on the ferry? I'm thinking I'd like to ride back up to Alaska again and see a few places I've not been to, then take the Ferry back down. Trying to determine how many days the 'long' ferry ride takes (a little tough from the website).

O.K. just got home 45 minutes ago or so and the tricker treaters aren't knocking on the door yet so here are the photos of the ferry Columbia and the tents pitched on the deck.

Gerhard









And that is me in the captains chair of the ferry we where on. We stayed on course while I was in charge

Just looked back at our travel log. The Ferry left Skagway at 10:30AM on 8/27, and arrived Prince Rupert at 5:15AM on 8/29.

Thanks for looking. That's not near as long as I thought it would take (couldn't get a feel for how stops/layovers were taken). I could do a run down from Haines Junction to Haines (my favorite ride), ferry to Skagway, then ferry down to Prince Rupert.

Is there any reason why I can't or shouldn't run a 120/70-18 on the front of an early (non ABS) ST1100?

Reason you shouldn't is the wheel width on the ABS is a half inch (?) bigger than the non ABS wheel, so the 120/70 is designed for a wheel of the ABS wheel size. Tire fitment charts will show this.

However, whether you shouldn't and whether you can are two different things, as many, many, including myself, have used the 120/70 with no issues, on the non ABS wheel. Your speedometer will not be as accurate though, showing you travelling about 6 mph faster than it would read with the 110/80 tire.

Is there a big difference in grip going from the Excedra's to radials. Have run Avon Storms for a long time. Currently running BT023's that I'm really not thrilled with (wear or feel). Tried them because of the closeout deals.

In the 'perfect' world you would get an ABSII front wheel (very hard to find) and put the standard rotors on it. But as was said, folks run the 120 on the 110 rim and the sky hasn't fallen yet ... ;-)