As Brocksamoyed says, the Dunlop 606 is popular in both AUS and the US, but in the UK is almost impossible to find (I don't think it is officially imported?)

I've used both Pirelli MT21s and TKC80s (extensively x), and to compare the two, I found the TKC80s lasted significantly longer (so much so that after the first set of MT21s, I switched to TKCs for the rest of my time in the States, even though they were more expensive), and the TKCs were far more comfortable and sure-footed on-road.

Personally I'd say the TKCs are best 'all round' tyre for the Tenere - of course I'm basing all this on the fact I was riding a lot of desert and mountain trails, not slogging through a UK winter of mud and slime!

I would admit that in wet slippery conditions, you might want something slightly more aggressive - although I've not found the MT21 much better in that regard - the front end can still wash out.

I found the MT21s were far more susceptible to tyre pressures, and anything less than 25psi made the MT21s ponderous on the road. Conversely, 25psi seemed to be the sweet spot for the TKCs, although you could run them harder if you wanted. Certainly raising the pressure in the MT21s made them noticeably better on the road, but they never felt as 'secure' as the TKC did, especially at the front end.

I'd say you probably don't want to run any tyre on the Tenere much less than 20psi - it's a big heavy bike remember.

The MT21s were great in the dirt - check out my USA trip photos form New Mexico and Colorado (in the snow!), but the TKCs seemed to just work better everywhere?

Just my opinion...

Jx

To really throw the cat amongst the dragons:

As probably already mentioned in other posts I run and am happy with TKC's.
HOWEVER -the grass is always greener etc etc.
Anybody out there got or have tried the metzler karoo T - note the T.
Yes they are only available in 140/80/17 I believe, but in my memory from another post, the tenere can take the 140.
At the time of the post I remember calculating the speedo error at only 2mph so that is no problem.

The Metzlers are pretty similar to the TKCs... I ran a Metzler Karoo on the front of my XR650R (together with a Dunlop 908RR - now that is a good tyre, except only available in 18")... anyway, the Karoo was fine, felt pretty similar to a TKC on the front and lasted a good long while... however, I still think the TKC offers the best 'feel' on the road compared to the others, it just feels more sure-footed in my opinion - maybe it's the compound, I don't know...

Jx

Jenny- you have now almost talked me out of getting the MT21's !!!!!

Hee hee - the thing with tyres is they wear out... typically with knobblies if you don't like a particular brand, they'll be worn out in around 3000 miles anyway, so you can just change to something else. And if you like what you've got, stick with them?

This time of year, and particularly if you are planning on riding off-road, the MT21s will be great (and a revelation after the OEM tyres!)...

All I'd suggest is that if going on a longer trip, say into Europe in the summer or Morocco or somewhere like that, the TKCs will be smoother on the road, and last longer... and also offer great traction in dry off-road conditions...

Jx

Jenny, was it the 'T' you ran? - was looking at the Metzler website this evening and it does have a different profile to the 'standard' karoo. The comparison chart on the site points me in the 'T' direction for the riding I do.

Yes, it was the Karoo T front I used on the XR - looks basically the same as a TKC (ie. blocks across the tyre, rather than the V pattern of the regular Karoo)...

I didn't use the rear Karoo T at the time - looking at their website, to me that looks like a cross between a TKC and an MT21?!

Worth a go I'm sure, the Karoos seem to be significantly cheaper than the TKCs these days?

Jx

Well I have been sliding around on the Tourances on the road recently, with a more-or-less standard engine. Fitting MT21/TKC80 with my new engine is going to make things interesting on the road at the moment!

Bring on the Spring and warmer roads!

mmmmm, karoos next me thinks.:smilies0948:

New Karoo 3
 

I love the MT 21 for trail riding, but like any other knobby setup they are not high performers on the road. Never tried the TKC but everybobby seems to like them. Today I am piciking up a set of the new Karoo 3, they seem (in theory at least) to be the perfect blend for mixed riding. I will let you know how it goes.