Last bits of kit ordered
The last couple things I need got ordered in the past two days: tires and riding suit.
Tires
For the tires I went with a pair of Michelin Anakee 2's. Their thread seems more aggressive than the Continental TrailAttack tires I used last year. This year I'm planning on hitting the Trans-Labrador Highway which is "paved" with graded gravel. I've heard it can get deep at times, so I wanted something that would shovel the rocks away if it came to that. The grooves seem a lot deeper and bigger. I'm not looking for ultimate grip in the dry -- if I wanted that I would go ahead and spoon on a pair of slicks. I want something that can dig in if needed; but at the same time can last the duration of the trip.That last bit ruled out the tires I really wanted: the Continental TKC-80's. Those are all-on knobbies that go on my bike. But they would only last most of the way.In case you were wondering, KG Motorcycle Tires seem to have them in stock. Praise AdvRider for the link!
Suit
The riding suit decision was an equally hard choice. At first I wanted to go with the BMW TrailGuard. Unlike what the brochure and web site say, they are not waterproof. I found that reference in some european press release.
Anyone who wishes to wear the Trailguard suit in all weathers can make it windproof and waterproof by simply adding the GORE-TEXT insert textile which is available as an accessory.
Ummm... yeah. No. I already have that. I don't like that. I take that back, I like a nice airy suit when it's nice out. It just doesn't suit a long trip when you know you'll need to deal with weather.Tell that to the folks at my dealership and their catalog. It had the "waterproof" icon on there. How much would it have sucked to have gone and get rained on with no better protection.Final call: Aerostich Roadcrafter 2-piece. It's waterproof, has a good heritage and history, good reviews. The whole ball of wax. They even had one in my size in stock. 42-long. Most of them get custom-made when they get ordered. It would have been pushing my luck if I had them make one -- would it get here before I left?The first-choice color was red with black ballistic, the second was gray with black. They had the gray. Ordered. :-)It should get here tomorrow.