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-   -   Picking knobbies (comparison) ( https://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=11332)

Molgan 17-08-09 23:57

Picking knobbies (comparison)
 
Been very happy with my TKC80, but since my Ten sees less and less tarmac I plan to pick some more dirt oriented tires next. Choosing tires is hell though. I made this simple list of 5 different tires ordered from road bias to dirt bias based on all the tests I have managed to find and my own (limited) experiences. Not scientific in any way, just for myself to help me pick the right one:

Code:

Tire:______________________0n/off (%)
BRIDGESTONE TW 301/302 ----70/30
CONTINENTAL TKC 80 --------60/40
METZELER KAROO ------------50/50
MICHELIN T 63 -------------40/60
PIRELLI MT 21 -------------30/70

At first I thought I might go for the MT21, it's wonderful in the mud with its self cleaning pattern and it handles the sandy stuff well too. These tires make you look like you know what you are doing offroad. Cheap too. I don't want to sacrifice the road behavior totally though, inspired tarmac driving is pretty dangerous on these.

Then I looked at the Karoo, I have tried one and it's a slightly better tire in the soft and muddy then the TKC80. They are not as comfortable though, also noisy, and in the wet they can be dangerous.

So finally I decided to maybe go for the middle ground between the 2, T63. It seem to be pretty decent on the road and much more competent offroad then the TKC I have now. Heard of people even go enduro with these. Never tried them myself so it would be interesting.

Only worry is the problems reported in this thread: http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=9276

I will do as little tarmac as possible though so I hope they will work.. And if not I've learned something new. =)

Titbird 19-08-09 15:28

The big question, what tyres?
I'm going to Morocco in oktober and will use the TKC's I have laying around, not the best tyres, I know, but then again I'm not the best driver. Any real good driver would beat me on tourances any day.

uncle ricky 19-08-09 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molgan (Post 103309)
Been very happy with my TKC80, but since my Ten sees less and less tarmac I plan to pick some more dirt oriented tires next. Choosing tires is hell though. I made this simple list of 5 different tires ordered from road bias to dirt bias based on all the tests I have managed to find and my own (limited) experiences. Not scientific in any way, just for myself to help me pick the right one:

Code:

Tire:______________________0n/off (%)
BRIDGESTONE TW 301/302 ----70/30
CONTINENTAL TKC 80 --------60/40
METZELER KAROO ------------50/50
MICHELIN T 63 -------------40/60
PIRELLI MT 21 -------------30/70

At first I thought I might go for the MT21, it's wonderful in the mud with its self cleaning pattern and it handles the sandy stuff well too. These tires make you look like you know what you are doing offroad. Cheap too. I don't want to sacrifice the road behavior totally though, inspired tarmac driving is pretty dangerous on these.

Then I looked at the Karoo, I have tried one and it's a slightly better tire in the soft and muddy then the TKC80. They are not as comfortable though, also noisy, and in the wet they can be dangerous.

So finally I decided to maybe go for the middle ground between the 2, T63. It seem to be pretty decent on the road and much more competent offroad then the TKC I have now. Heard of people even go enduro with these. Never tried them myself so it would be interesting.

Only worry is the problems reported in this thread: http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=9276

I will do as little tarmac as possible though so I hope they will work.. And if not I've learned something new. =)


Trellbroug Swiss army tyres, they are also speed rated to 80mph, I just could not wear them out on my DRZ400.

Rick

Tim Cullis 19-08-09 19:35

I find it difficult to move away from TKC80s. They last very well (I did 9000 miles to Senegal and back on a pair--OK riding gently on a 1200GSA), they are predictable on road and in the wet, and I've ridden about 3000 miles offroad on them on Moroccan pistes.

I've never even lowered the tyre pressure. There are undoubtedly better offroad tyres available for really severe conditions but as I often ride solo I tend to avoid real headbangingly difficult stuff and the trade-offs of other tyres are considerable.

Tim

Molgan 19-08-09 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle ricky (Post 103484)
Trellbroug Swiss army tyres, they are also speed rated to 80mph, I just could not wear them out on my DRZ400.

Rick

Yes heard about them, but I know very little about them and haven't found anyone who sells them here.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Cullis (Post 103494)
I find it difficult to move away from TKC80s. They last very well (I did 9000 miles to Senegal and back on a pair--OK riding gently on a 1200GSA), they are predictable on road and in the wet, and I've ridden about 3000 miles offroad on them on Moroccan pistes.

I've never even lowered the tyre pressure. There are undoubtedly better offroad tyres available for really severe conditions but as I often ride solo I tend to avoid real headbangingly difficult stuff and the trade-offs of other tyres are considerable.

Tim

Yes they are very good and I have been extremely happy with them, they should be standard on the Ten in my opinion. Want to set the bike up for pure offroad touring though now when I have another bike for the boring highways.

uncle ricky 19-08-09 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molgan (Post 103499)
Yes heard about them, but I know very little about them and haven't found anyone who sells them here.

Yes they are very good and I have been extremely happy with them, they should be standard on the Ten in my opinion. Want to set the bike up for pure offroad touring though now when I have another bike for the boring highways.

If you email this people via their web site they may be able to help you

http://www.trelleborgtyres.co.uk/


Rick

banksy 20-08-09 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle ricky (Post 103500)
If you email this people via their web site they may be able to help you

http://www.trelleborgtyres.co.uk/


Rick


These people are also stocking MITAS now, E-07s on the way soon i hope! :)

JMo 20-08-09 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titbird (Post 103476)
The big question, what tyres?
I'm going to Morocco in oktober and will use the TKC's I have laying around, not the best tyres, I know, but then again I'm not the best driver. Any real good driver would beat me on tourances any day.

Like Tim, I would say the TKC80's are the best tyres for that kind of trip - they are far better than any other 'knobblie' on the road (both for grip and wear) and there will be a lot of road as well as off-road on your trip from Belgium to Morocco! I rode across the US and back on TKCs - including some serious off-road and desert conditions - they won't let you down.

I have also used MT21s on the Tenere - they didn't last particularly well (around 2500-3000 miles for the rear), but I would say they are a good alternative if you ride in wet and soft (ok, I mean muddy) off-road conditions.

I have used Michelin T63s on the XR650R, and as I said in the thread Molgan linked to, they barely lasted over 1500 miles on that bike... the 'problem' with the T63 is (according to their own literature) it is really designed for a lighter weight (enduro/trail) bike, even if they do offer a 17 inch rear size... I'd say the Tenere is far too heavy for that tyre (as Yam6 seems to have experienced), although, if used at lower speeds and mainly off-road, you might get away with it - they won't last long anyway x

Another option that may be available is the Dunlop 606 - these are very popular in the USA, and nearly every KLR650 has them fitted if used off-road much.

xxx

jiauka 20-08-09 12:43

mt21 front and mitas e09 rear is a good choice except on wet tarmac, the mitas tires are horrible on wet, I will nerver use a mitas tire at the front.

have fun,

j.

Molgan 20-08-09 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMo (Post 103530)
Another option that may be available is the Dunlop 606 - these are very popular in the USA, and nearly every KLR650 has them fitted if used off-road much.

xxx

Ye they look nice, but I thought they don't sell them in Europe?


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